Self healing cutting mat for small work?

[vavet]

I’m looking at buying one of these self healing cutting mats for some wood models. I could use a piece of cardboard when I need to make a cut, but that dulls knife blades and these are purpose made and seem professional, so why not?

ok Amazon…show me cutting mats. I can buy some weird made up brand name, set of 5 9x12 mats for $9.99 or I can buy one 4x4 Fiskars for like $38. I have some Fiskars tools. They are great. Are they worth the extra money here? What are the criteria I’m looking for? Thickness? Color? Measurement markings? I expect most of my cutting will be with a razor or x-acto knife.

what else are they useful for? Small electronics work. keep solder off of the surface below and serve as insulation to protect a surface?

 

[turbodave]

I have this 18x24 x-acto one on top of my toolbox. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000789P74/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I find it's a nicer work surface than the ribbed rubber mat that my toolbox came with. I use it for assembling small stuff and as a keyboard and mouse pad. It cleans up pretty well and has held up fine in the 5 years I've had it. While I have used to it cut a few things on, I don't do enough of that to say how it would hold up for a full time crafter.

 

[Nick Danger]

I bought the Fiskars 18"x24" eco mat to use with a rotary cutting wheel for leather work. It's kind of small when I want to make long cuts, but that's rare. I'm happy with it.

I bought it with a 50% off coupon at JoAnn Fabric, so it cost under $15.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055741N0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RTM]

We have the same one as Nick, the wife uses it for cloth work. I occasionally use it for paper or poster board etc. the grids are nice for square, but I only confirm measurements using them most of the time. For a quick hack to size, the are fine. Storing it flat is my biggest beef, I think a 4x4’ could be difficult to get out of the way. She removes hers when ironing, even with a protective pad under the iron. Not sure I’d solder on hers.

I’ve never used it for wood, but I would fight the urge to use a utility knife on it, don’t think it will stop you from cutting through if inattentive. X-Acto etc should be fine.

I’m surprised Nick uses his for leather, I am always leaning hard for a single pass, with my sharpest blades, so I fear I’d cut into the substrate and not notice.

I am going to be refitting a leatherette Gerstner soon, and that will be my cutting surface.

 

[rlitman]

...ok Amazon…show me cutting mats. I can buy some weird made up brand name, set of 5 9x12 mats for $9.99 or I can buy one 4x4 Fiskars for like $38. I have some Fiskars tools. They are great. Are they worth the extra money here? What are the criteria I’m looking for? Thickness? Color? Measurement markings? I expect most of my cutting will be with a razor or x-acto knife.

what else are they useful for? Small electronics work. keep solder off of the surface below and serve as insulation to protect a surface?

First, be careful with the cheap mats. A real cutting mat should be at least three layers, with softer "healing" surfaces, and a harder plastic core that prevents cut through. Many of the super cheap mats are just that hard material. They hold up as plastic cutting boards, but **** for detail work. The soft surface allows the blade to penetrate, improving your cut quality greatly. Also, the hard mats are quite slippery.

I bought two of these 24x36 Dahle mats in 2020 for $24 each.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039KNAC8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
The prices of this fluctuate wildly, so I suggest waiting, as they're at a peak right now:

Dahle - 10693-12592 Vantage 10693 Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 24"x36", 1/2" Grid, 5 Layers for Max Healing, Perfect for Crafts & Sewing, Blue

Amazon price tracking & price history for Dahle - 10693-12592 Vantage 10693 Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 24"x36", 1/2" Grid, 5 Layers for Max Healing, Perfect for Crafts & Sewing, Blue

camelcamelcamel.com

Second, DO NOT use these around heat! They will warp. For soldering, get yourself a silicone electronics mat to protect your desk. The silicone is not a good enough insulator to protect the self healing mat, so if you plan to cover the whole bench in a self healing mat and then solder over it, put your silicone mat on something like cardboard or masonite to be extra safe.