Glass mats?

Is there really any difference between glass mats? I'm thinking of getting one, to use for both the Slice and a Cuttlebee circle cutter. It looks like the Slice mat has little raised "feet" underneath whereas the EK Success mat has sticky dots and is 13x13 vs 12x12. (not sure it would matter) The EK Success mat seems a little heavier too.?

Are they made of different glass? Is one more durable if I drop it? (and I have young kids at home)

Pros for Slice mat: I like the feet
Pros for EK Success: I can probably get it for less money.

I haven't used a glass mat with either of these products but I have with the creative memories cutter and the circle scissors, I much prefer the glass. It's just a smoother way to do it.

I'm definitely going to get a glass mat, I'm just trying to decide which one, and if there are any substantial differences between the two.

Not really. They're all pretty much the same IMHO.

I use one that is actually meant for the kitchen. It's about 15x24, and made by Corning Ware. I just saw some at either Target or Walmart in the kitchen area, and I think they were less than $10. I have snow white formica countertops and use the glass sheets by the fridge and the stove. They really help keep the countertops clean and not stained with tea, spaghetti sauce, whatever.

These are bumpy on one side and smooth on the other side. I use the smooth side on my scrap table and put those cabinet door fuzzy circle thingys on the bumpy side (as feet). It doesn't slide around when I cut something, but then, I'm pressing down pretty hard with the cutter and holding the paper with my other hand.

I'm interested in glass mats- don't they get all scratched up? Do you just replace them?

The only mats I've ever used are the self healing ones. Are they used for different purposes?

I finally purchased a glass mat and was sure glad I did. It really helps when cutting something with a blade.
You just have to be careful not to leave it on your working area and inadvertantly cover it up. You might forget about it and drop something heavy on it. That's where the feet help. If there is a bump under a pile of papers you are more likely to poke around. I keep mine close at hand but off my table.

PS they don't scratch when you cut on them and are quite durable. I think they would survive being dropped but I wouldn't try it. I was worried taking it on a trip where the BF was moving my crop tote (he is not the most careful). But then I just put it inside one of my plastic boxes and no wories.

• seaexplore Said:

They can get scratched if you use a bad blade or try to cut in the wrong direction.

For years I used a large piece of glass from an old picture frame that we didn't like or use. I backed it with foam board, sandwiched grid paper between the foam board and glass to help me line up things. Then ran tape all the way around the edges. The make things things easier, I also put photo corners in place to hold my whole sheets of papers in place. Used tape for smaller pieces of paper.

This worked great until someone broke the glass when I was moving it to another room. I blame dh but he said he didn't do it.

• Vivian loves BLING Said:

There's a RIGHT direction? I'm confused. BUT it sounds like a glass mat might be pretty cool and I LOVE the idea of a make it myself- I have tons of picture frame glass kicking around and foam I can back it with.

Most blades have a cut side that goes to a point. Swivel blades are also this way. So one time I put a swivel knife into a circle cutter and did it the wrong way. The blade turned itself but not before it scratched the glass.

Yes, if it can happen, believe me, it will happen to me.

hmmm... I kinda thought you were talking about cutting backwards but I wasn't sure. Ya never know!

So, I saw one today but skipped over it (DH was with me) and bought the crop a dial with a 50% off coupon (I have at least 7 more that are good this whole week!)

Anyone need coupons? PM me with your email and I'll send em along.

I have the Ek Success one (2 actually) and the SLice one...there is no major difference in them and I havent had a scratch yet. I love my glass mats and will never ever go back to self healing (unless I am putting a hole in the middle of the page with the good ol hammer)

Personally, I just bought a glass top endtable at a garage sale for $10 and used the glass and tossed the endtable. The glass covers half of one of my desks. It has beveled edges. I put graph paper with measurements under it to line things up. Very durable, larger than the mats you can purchase and much cheaper.

I have the EK Success one and just love it. Not only for cutting but as a platform in general. It isn't scratched and I have had it for a couple of years. It is easy to clean glue and ink off of too.

• NoirCat Said:

What a GOOD idea!!! Our Lowes has these in various sizes, and pretty cheap too! I'd really like a bigger one to cover my scrap table. I'll have to check into these!
TFS!!!

Ah! Thanks for the end table idea! I have an old table on the side of the house with 1/2" thick glass in it that's all polished and curved on the edges. I'm gonna go out and pull a piece of that out and clean it up! Thanks much!