Free hand mountcutting and V-grooving tools.

[Not your average framer]

I'm planning on doing some free-hand mountcutting and V-grooving and therefore need to buy an appropiate tool for each purpose. I have looked at "The Mouse" or the "Groovemaster" for V-grooves and the "Freestyle basic 1100" for normal cuts. These are in the Lion catalogue and I assume that these are what I probably need, but can anyone who has any experience with these offer any advice, before I spend the cash hoping I got it right?

Thanks in anticipation,
Mark

[Bill Henry]

I haven’t worked with the Groovemaster, but I saw a demo at a trade show. Never heard of the The Mouse.

I have a V-groove attachment for my oval mat cutter. It works well as far as the grooves are concerned (clean and crisp), but the blade holders tend to scuff the mat board during the cut out pass.

I didn’t think to notice when I saw the Groovemaster demonstrated, but with the design of the blade holders, I would be concerned that they might scuff the mount board as well.

As far as a freehand tool is concerned, I have used the Dahle Cube (very rarely since I’m not very good at it). It, too, will leave a scuff, but since it is used to cut from the back of the mount board, it doesn’t matter too much. I have difficulty adjusting the depth and angle of the blade. It is time consuming and difficult (for me) with the Dahle.

[Vix]

Hi Mark

I have both a Dahl cube cutter and a Logan 1000, which i am assuming is the predessor of the 1100 free style cutter but would say that i prefer this over the Dahl cube cutter due to the fact that it has a little more 'meat' to it and find it easier to handle. So my choice would always be the Logan.

As to the Groovemaster for v-grooving, I also have one of these which I use when the need arises but can't comment on the 'mouse' as i've never used one. As Bill says, you do need to be careful that it doesn't scuff the face of the mount, especially on the darker coloured boards but it does depend a lot on the amount of pressure you apply when cutting. However I do find it a useful bit of kit and wouldn't be without mine (well that's until I can get my hands on a computerised mount cutter that is!)

Hope this helps

Vix.

[Not your average framer]

Never heard of the The Mouse.

Hi Bill,

Having had a quick look again in the Lion catalogue, it's called the "Groovy Mouse". It's a new item in the current years Lion catalogue.

I have both a Dahl cube cutter and a Logan 1000, which i am assuming is the predessor of the 1100 free style cutter but would say that i prefer this over the Dahl cube cutter due to the fact that it has a little more 'meat' to it and find it easier to handle.

HI Vix,

Is the Logan 1000 a free stle cutter too? If so, how do you find it for usability, both ergonomically and a visibly when following pencil lines and curves, etc.?

My guess is that, neither of them are as easy to use creatively as one might hope. Years ago, (in the 1970's and 1980's), Brian Wolf used to do all this sort of stuff with an X-acto craft knife and controlled the bevel angle by eye and experience.

I may still try this method instead using a Swann morton scalpel, but I guess I'm looking for something which takes a little of the guess work out of it. Otherwise I expect it will take a lot of practice to master the technique and get the necessary confidence which so often makes all the difference.

[Vix]

Hi Mark the logan is a free style cutter and with any hand cutting takes a bit of practise but i'm sure you have plenty of off cuts to play with. I once cut the Lion logo out with it, and as far as i know they had it in the warehouse at Lion Birmingham. Obviously the bigger the image is to work with the better, as some of the more smaller fiddly bits can be a bit of a pig to cut!

Been a lady and not having the size of hands some of you men have I find that it's not too big to be cumbersome when using. So I don't see a problem with its size. (Yes I am talking about the mount cutter before anybody starts.....) As I said it's just a case of getting stuck in and having a go. It's only as difficult as you want it to be and for the small cost it's not a lot to loose if it gives you another strng to your bow.

Vix.

[Not your average framer]

That's to all for the info, which has been helpful and given me a lot to think about. After thinking things through I'm gonna get the 1100 for free hand mountcutting, both not either of the V-grooving tools.

Instead of getting a V-grooving tool, I have decided to use a scalpel or X-acto craft knife. This is because I not convinced about the necessary visiblity for following pencil lines and I think that the body may visually block what I need to see. Also the more I think about it, the ability to vary the width of carved lines and the cutting angle will add the scope for expression and artistic flair.

As some may have realised, every now and then I like to try and do something new and different to tempt the customers. Well, I'm in that mode now and also looking to try some interesting leatherwork embossing tools on mounts too! As I'm quite busy at the moment this may take some time, but if something nice comes from this, I post some pics.