Replies

1. 
   SisterT | Mar 22, 2004 12:15am | #1

   You did not say how large the mat is.  Have you considered using tacks instead, on the corners of the mat or around the edges if it is a larger mat.  It seems that they would do less damage than any adhesive.  Or is the surface of such a size that you would have to be concerned about hitting a tack with the saw blade?

   I am sympathetic to the storage issue.  I have a large cutting mat (approx 36" x 50") that fits nicely over a 36" x 72" piece of plywood that I converted to an ironing surface.  Great system, until I want to iron and the cutting mat ends up on the floor, edges curling and me tripping over it.

   Good luck. If you hear something from Olfa, or come up with something brilliant on your own, please post it here!

   Sr. Tracey

1. 
   DonStephan | Mar 23, 2004 03:42pm | #2

   Thanks for your reply. Don't want to use any metal because of risk of dulling a cutting edge. It's been over a week and no reply from Olfa. Don

1. 
   SisterT | Mar 23, 2004 04:11pm | #3

   Don,

   I just ran "adhesive" as a search on the Knots Forum.  You might want to post your question there.  There seem to be a lot of opinions about the bewst adhesive for anything and everything!

   Another thought--could you attach, with adhesive, the mat to a hard thin surface (Haven't had coffee yet, am thinking of the stuff they make wooden clipboards out of), then attach THAT to the plywood with whatever adhesive works.  When you change the plywood, the thin piece between the ply and the mat would protect the mat from stretching or tearing.

   ST

2. 
   GoodFibrations | Mar 26, 2004 02:01am | #6

   Regarding your ironing surface/cutting mat dilemma....I have tacked the cutting surface to one side and created a padded ironing surface to the other side of a hollow core door. adllowing me to "flip" it over quite easily.

1. 
   SisterT | Mar 26, 2004 05:19am | #7

   Thank you!  I like the idea of a door.  I would be MUCH lighter than what I am using now.  And I think we have one tucked away in a shed somewhere.

   ST

2. 
   PLW1017 | Mar 23, 2004 05:36pm | #4

   Don,

   I don't know if this would work for you but I have four Olfa cutting mats stuck down to my two tables (pushed together to make a large cutting area) using double back carpet tape.  It's the stuff you peel off the paper, stick it down and then pull off the top layer of paper and adhere whatever you want stuck down, normally rugs or carpet. (that's the technical description to the process!) 

   I've replaced the tape once in about 10 years -- it holds really well!  I will mention though that the residue on the table is a bear to get off if you want to remove it.  I had to use Goo-Gone and elbow grease to clean it off so I could re-apply the new tape.  I could see absolutely no damage to the mats.

   Peg

1. 
   DonStephan | Mar 24, 2004 03:42am | #5

   Thanks to both of you for your input. I had thought double stick would tear the mat apart, nice to know it can be used. And the idea of an intermediate material is very good - wouldn't have to try to remove the mat from the backing. Great! Happy sewing to you both. Don