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I see "self-healing" cutting mats all the time in tech videos, with the measurement grid and angles printed on top. I'd like to get one at some point.

by rzzzt 3y ago

JohnFen 3y ago
I recommend them, they're great. When I got mine, it seemed like a bit of a luxury, but now it seems like essential equipment. Also, I recommend getting a rotary cutter (link to illustrate the tool type -- not a recommendation for that particular instance) to go along with it. https://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Deluxe-Handle-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B000BNLLHW https://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Deluxe-Handle-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B...
OJFord 3y ago
I'm sure they're the kind of thing that can bw ludicrously expensive, in part because they sound complicated/high-tech. Note that they can be really cheap, as in sub-£10 for A4 maybe even A3. I just mean don't do much (or any) cutting thinking 'I should get one of those at some point' before getting one, as excuses for new tools/toys go that's a good & also cheap one!
- exmadscientist 3y ago
  The thing about cutting mats in an electronics lab is that you're never going to be cutting anything big. You're going to be cutting a lot of small things. So the small, dirt cheap, easy to move around ones are perfect. A rare example of cheaper being better!
  - OJFord 3y ago
    Yep, exactly. I can see the value in large ESD-rated full desk-covering rolls though, if you've got the cash to splash on it. (But certainly not in a hey beginner here's how I think you should set up your desk/lab type article or anything.)
atoav 3y ago
As someone who runs an University electronics lab I'd recommend to instead get on or more silicone mats (they come with slots for small parts and such). They withstand heat better (curtting mats can deform permanently when heated wrongly), prooved to be more durable and are very easy to clean. If you need a cutting mat for actual precision cutting of paper, get one and treat it carefully.
- linker3000 3y ago
  I got some 7" x 7" silicone kitchen saucepan mats from a bargain store. 89p each.
- dekhn 3y ago
  Agree 100%: all of my cutting mats are now warped, covered in dried whatever, and rough-surfaced. Silicone is awesome.
- JohnFen 3y ago
  I have both the silicone antistatic mat and a cutting mat. Different tools for different purposes. I would never solder anything on the cutting mat, nor cut anything on the silicone mat. If I could only have one of those two, it would be the silicone mat. The cutting mat is great, but really, you can use any expendable surface in its place.

I see "self-healing" cutting mats all the time in tech videos, with the measurement grid and angles printed on top. I'd like to get one at some point.

by rzzzt 3y ago

I see "self-healing" cutting mats all the time in tech videos, with the measurement grid and angles printed on top. I'd like to get one at some point.

JohnFen 3y ago

I recommend them, they're great. When I got mine, it seemed like a bit of a luxury, but now it seems like essential equipment. Also, I recommend getting a rotary cutter (link to illustrate the tool type -- not a recommendation for that particular instance) to go along with it. https://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Deluxe-Handle-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B000BNLLHW https://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Deluxe-Handle-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B...

OJFord 3y ago

I'm sure they're the kind of thing that can bw ludicrously expensive, in part because they sound complicated/high-tech. Note that they can be really cheap, as in sub-£10 for A4 maybe even A3. I just mean don't do much (or any) cutting thinking 'I should get one of those at some point' before getting one, as excuses for new tools/toys go that's a good & also cheap one!

exmadscientist 3y ago
The thing about cutting mats in an electronics lab is that you're never going to be cutting anything big. You're going to be cutting a lot of small things. So the small, dirt cheap, easy to move around ones are perfect. A rare example of cheaper being better!
- OJFord 3y ago
  Yep, exactly. I can see the value in large ESD-rated full desk-covering rolls though, if you've got the cash to splash on it. (But certainly not in a hey beginner here's how I think you should set up your desk/lab type article or anything.)

atoav 3y ago

As someone who runs an University electronics lab I'd recommend to instead get on or more silicone mats (they come with slots for small parts and such). They withstand heat better (curtting mats can deform permanently when heated wrongly), prooved to be more durable and are very easy to clean. If you need a cutting mat for actual precision cutting of paper, get one and treat it carefully.

linker3000 3y ago
I got some 7" x 7" silicone kitchen saucepan mats from a bargain store. 89p each.
dekhn 3y ago
Agree 100%: all of my cutting mats are now warped, covered in dried whatever, and rough-surfaced. Silicone is awesome.
JohnFen 3y ago
I have both the silicone antistatic mat and a cutting mat. Different tools for different purposes. I would never solder anything on the cutting mat, nor cut anything on the silicone mat. If I could only have one of those two, it would be the silicone mat. The cutting mat is great, but really, you can use any expendable surface in its place.