Problems with Logan 450 mat cutter, help or advice needed

[BrianWoolf]

I have a Logan 450 mat cutter and it frustrates and stress me out.
I need some help or advice.

I am a photographer that uses 32x40 4ply museum board cut to 16x20 sizes and larger. I do about 30 mats a year, so a very low volume. I thought that I had the Logan 450 figured out but because I use so infrequently, I seem to forget the small nuances that I have learned to get good cuts. I seem to do fine on the bevel cuts, at first I used a 3 pass system but now use a 1 pass fully deep cut that seems to work well. This time I had trouble with the corners separating and needed a straight razor blade to finish them. I do overcut but this time it didn't work well, last time I had no problem.
This time I had a lot of problems with the 90 degree cutter. It wobbled. It was so disheartening to line that edge up with Logan straight edge that sets the mat edge and see that it doesn't touch along the 20" length. I overlook this as the frame will cover the sloppy edge. What really ticked me off was that I wanted to use the 11x16 center cut out for a small 9x12 frame, so I need to cut off the bevel edges. I cut off 1 inch and found I had a curved cut that was almost 1/8 inch out it the center, on an 11 inch long cut. What gives!!! I had to pull out a metal ruler and do multiple passes with a straight razor blade to get my 9x12 mat. This is not much of a problem on so small a mat but if I am doing a 24x28" it gets difficult and dangerous.

So am I doing something wrong with the 90 degree cutter or do I have to use a straight ruler and cut by hand with multiple passes.
For advice, I can't see spending $2000b or more for the better cutters, but would buying a better Logan, say an 850, solve my problems. I mean that I could pull it out and put in a 4ply 32x40 mat board and get a ruler straight cut with absolute easy and no stress, each and every time.
Thank you,
Brian

[Paul2660]

There is no perfect solution unless you use a machine as they have much closer tolerances.  However a few ideas to consider.

1.  You should only make 1 pass on a cut, always, if you don't, you will see the layers in the bevel of the cut.  No way around it.  Make sure you cut goes through into the under layer board and penetrates it but does not cut it enough to bend.  If it does you blade depth is too much.
2.  You should replace the blades often, blades are cheap, mat is not especially if you are using rag or rag alpha mix.
3.  Check the machine for true, my Fletcher 2200 needs to be trued about every 3 months or so, I am also an occasional cutter of 4 ply as I now use only 8 ply and I can't cut that.
4.  Your corner needs to over cut on the back around 1/8 of inch.   
5.  Consider stops, I use them all the time on my cutter as once they are dialed in, things get much easier
6.  The Logan 450 I owned was never true with the extension, may have been damaged during shipping. So straight cuts were never that good.  I have wall cutter for that, but I realize you don't want to go there.
7.  On straight cuts, check the cutter to make sure the blade holder is solid.  The 450, it just runs on a track as I recall, it's not running on tube rail, but I may have it wrong. 
8.  For the sizes you are talking about consider using a ruler, get one of the rulers that has the vertical bar in the middle that you can both push against and protect your hand. This are much better for longer cuts IMO.
9.  On the vertical cut, make sure the blade is new, as nothing dulls a blade faster than straight cuts.

The 460 is a longer version of the 450, and I have used it before.  It should get you there with a bit of work.

Paul

[Jimmy D Uptain]

I had a Logan and had issues like yours.
Gave it away.
There is an option you may not have thought of. Buy a better mat cutter, but used.

I found one on this website:

http://www.clevelandskyline.com/Mat_Board_Glass_Cutting_Equipment.htm

They are consignment type setup.


I ended up having to pick it up, but the cost savings was well worth it. The pain of cutting a mat with a tabletop model is no more!
Just something to think about.

[AFairley]

I had the same curved cut problems with the shorter version of the 450.  It drove me crazy because I could cut perfect matts with a hand cutter and clamped straight edge.  I am not having any such problems with the Logan 650.  I found a lightly used one on eBay, something to think about if cost is an issue.

[BrianWoolf]

Thanks for the replies

Jimmy D -  that is a great idea and thanks for that link. There were two listings in Florida (I live near Ft. Lauderdale) but I had to make sure that I could get a manual, as these machines can be complicated.

AFairley - thanks for the specific info, I had upgraded from a Logan 16x20 size to the 450 and was still having problems. So I had my doubts that any Logan would work well, will check out the 650, thanks.

Paul2660 - thanks for all the info, I thought that one pass was the correct way to go, nice to have conformation and my problem this time was that I was less than 1/8" as an overcut. I do use new blades quite often, maybe cutting only two mats before changing them.
The logan 450 has separate cutters that run in a track - no tube rail to ride along. I has one stop on the bottom. It seems that the Logan company doesn't understand the concept  of 90 degree angles, that well.
It seems you are suggesting a straight ruler for 90 degree cuts and if I go that way, I will need to get a good one.
Thanks, Brian

[Phil Indeblanc]

A call to Fletcher is very helpful. I had that 3000 and it was great. The idea of having off the table alone is a major step in the right direction. Just make sure you have good wall support.
One of the guys from support  that sold me some blades and parts was super helpful and got me setup to run.

[framah]

What you have learned here is why most all of the professional framers don't use Logan cutters. Logan cutters are like the bottom of the barrel for quality in a cutter.
Go for a used C&H or Fletcher and you can't go wrong.

[Jimmy D Uptain]

Thanks for the replies

Jimmy D -  that is a great idea and thanks for that link. There were two listings in Florida (I live near Ft. Lauderdale) but I had to make sure that I could get a manual, as these machines can be complicated.

AFairley - thanks for the specific info, I had upgraded from a Logan 16x20 size to the 450 and was still having problems. So I had my doubts that any Logan would work well, will check out the 650, thanks.

Paul2660 - thanks for all the info, I thought that one pass was the correct way to go, nice to have conformation and my problem this time was that I was less than 1/8" as an overcut. I do use new blades quite often, maybe cutting only two mats before changing them.
The logan 450 has separate cutters that run in a track - no tube rail to ride along. I has one stop on the bottom. It seems that the Logan company doesn't understand the concept  of 90 degree angles, that well.
It seems you are suggesting a straight ruler for 90 degree cuts and if I go that way, I will need to get a good one.
Thanks, Brian

By the way, I ended up with the Speed Mat. Believe me, I couldn't have got one if it weren't used. Funny, I drove to Florida to get it. My little VW golf had just enough room for it.

[framah]

I remember getting my first mat cutter which was an Esterly Speed mat as well.  I had driven up to Maine for some skiing at Sugarloaf and proceeded to break my left knee. Stopped at the Esterly place and they loaded it onto the top of my Ford  Escort hatchback with roof racks.

Drove all the way back to New Jersey  speed shifting thru the toll booths as I was having trouble pushing the clutch in with the left leg being broken.
The best thing about an Esterly is that it sizes the mats, the foam core and the glass as well as cut the openings. Special stops are used for double matting.
Good machine for you!!