Which mount cutter to buy for specialised job?

robivan · Post by **robivan** » Tue 18 Sep, 2007 8:09 am

I'm an artist with a commission to produce a series of work and I would very much appreciate some advice. The work will be a series of 20x24 inch boards, with a selection of contemporary photographs, archive images and found images mounted on them. I'm responsible for designing and making the boards so I need to learn how to make bevelled apertures in mount board. My problem is that each board will need at least one square or rectangular window plus a number of circles. So I need a mount cutter that cuts straight lines and circles, if one exists. Professional kit seems to be more expensive than I thought and I can't afford a computerised system for the one commission. Also some of the circle apertures will have to be quite small - from 4cm diametre up, and my research thus far seems to exclude some of the cheaper circle cutters such as the Logan 201 on that count. Any advice anyone could offer would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Spit · Post by **Spit** » Tue 18 Sep, 2007 8:23 am

Your best bet would be to find a local framer who has a CMC and ask them to produce them - it would be a lot cheaper than buying the equipment, and better than taking a chance on equipment that may or may not work.

If this could wait about 3-4 weeks, I'd be happy to do them mail-order.

osgood · Post by **osgood** » Tue 18 Sep, 2007 8:59 am

Robivan,

Steve has given you some great advice and I agree with him completely. You will not be able to find 'cheap' equipment to do what you want to do and do it to a professional standard.

A CMC is the probably the best equipment to do this work and I'm sure you will find a professional framer in your area who will be able to help you.

During the time when the framer is making the mats/mounts, you will be able to put your time into your artwork, which surely would be a more efficient use of your time.

David · Post by **David** » Tue 18 Sep, 2007 6:51 pm

Hi Robivan

There isn't a manual cutter that will cut straight and circles, you would need two bit of equipment probably costing £1500 - £2000 new. Then there is learning how to use it. I agree with the others, finding a framer with a computerised mount cutter would seem to be the most economical option unless it is going to be an ongoing requirement. I can recommend someone near Guildford that I have used if its not too far. Otherwise good luck hunting, phone around your local framers.

David.

robivan · Post by **robivan** » Tue 18 Sep, 2007 7:02 pm

Thanks very much for the advice. It looks like i will have to have a rethink unless i can find a very good deal on some second hand equipment.