Looking for a large cutting surface for my cutting table. Suggestions?

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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I have a cutting table that is about 59" x 31" and I would like to put a good slick cutting surface. I have a 24" x 24" Hydroma board for my work table - but am looking for a dedicated cutting surface for sides of leather.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Jason
 
Check out signage supply companies and ask about self healing cutting mats. Think they're sold in 4 x 8' sheets.

Can't recall what the material is called, but look at Rhino cutting mats. These look to be about 1/4" thick

DON
 
I use the large self healing mats from Joann's fabric store on top of a 4x8 butcher block surface. They always have some sort of coupon for 30-40% off one item.
 
I got mine many years ago at a restaurant supply house. Comes in 4'X8' sheets, 1/2" thick and has been perfect for the purpose. I also cannot remember exactly what the material is, but it is great. It's the same stuff that is used for cutting surfaces in butcher shops etc. You should be able to get a visual of sorts on my DVD.

Paul
 
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I keep the roller mats that Skyler is talking about on the workbench all the time. They are great but I can't cut with a roundknife on them. I get stuck. I do use them for everything else (cutting out leggings with a roller knife) and I use the grid and rulers printed on them constantly. I've tried the white poly that Paul uses but I'd get stuck in those too. I also had problems with them breaking when I'd use punches on em. Now that may be cause it can get real cold in my shop and they got brittle I don't know. I do have to keep the BagKote inside or it'll freeze. I've gone to the hydroma for the cutting board and it has worked well for me. I've two large chunks that I move around the bench as needed and that I can remove from the bench as needed. I do know a saddle maker that covered his cutting table in plywood and then would sand or flip it everyonce in a while. He eventually went to the roller mats too. If ya want to try the poly its available online through butcher supply stores and can be cut to specific sizes as can the hydroma.
 
Okay. Here is what I went with:

http://www.induscousa.com/pads.htm

The one in the middle. 3/8" thick. I had two sheets cut to fit on my 39" by 60" table.


Total cost was about 135 dollars shipped to my door.

The durometer made more sense and was dense enough to take a little pounding. It isn't as self healing as the hydroma mat but not nearly as brittle as the cast nylon. It allows flow a slick smooth slick surface for a head knife and can have a bit of pounding put to it.

Thank you all so much for the input and I will let you know how it goes.

Jason
 
I never beat on my cut bench, all the indentations made from punches can scratch up a side. I have a separate station for punching holes, loops ends etc. I use an hdpe covered granite block with a post to the concrete to avoid any bouncing or deflection in the bench, takes very little effort to cut through things that way and gets a lot more life out of the tools. Even good oblong punches are pretty easy to beat to death and they are not cheap.
 
I don't beat on my cutting surface either. Not with sharp tools. I wanted to make sure if I tapped on some leather or what have you that it would be okay.

I agree with you and will get a poundo surface once my trusty cutting board is done for. ;)

Jason
 
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