This may seem a little strange, but I have a cutting mat that has warped a little and considering it's age, I would warp too. It is a 17x23, so I am trying to get a 12 or 13 square mat from the corner that isn't warped.

My question is how can I salvedge a portion of this mat? I would like to make a smaller mat that I could use in small places for small squares. How do I cut it?? There must be some way.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Don't know how thick your cutting board is but have you tryed tin snips?

Have you already flipped it over to use the other side???

Never thought of them, will try that.

It is still warped, and I really want a smaller board, and am even thinking of making myself one that turns on a turntable, and would use this to try to make one. I live by the notion of, waste not, want not.

the method reccomended to me was to get a box cutter and a metal straight edge and simply score it over & over til thru. hope this helps

i used my husbands circular saw

I use fabric shears, the heavy duty ones.

My Olfa mat warped and could not be saved anymore, so cut it in half.

I cut one down with heavy duty kitchen shears.

How about setting it on a flat surface outside in the sun and let the heat soften it and then put large heavy books or a board the same size over it and let it cool. That should straighten out the warp. :-D

I just used an old pair of scissors. Garden clippers might work, too. Find my bit very handy!

Cobaltjars, don't we all wish it would! There have been many posts on this and so far none have been very successful, darn it!

Maybe a large paper cutter might work

Let us know how this turns out because I have one that I need to cut down to smaller size also

I had the same situation and used a tile/vinyl knife (with the hooked blade) to score the mat and then worked it a few times to get it cut. Just like cutting vinyl flooring.
K

my big 39"x60" mat was worn out- i used heavy duty kitchen shears to cut mine into usable pieces.

Pretty close to what I did. I had to cut the edges off a new one to make it fit the drafting board I was planning on using with it. I used a plain ol utility knife.

that was my first thought, too

I know there are people out there that have cut their worn out mats to cover and use as bag bottoms, etc. Hopefully they will share what they know...hehehe

I used tin snips.

OK - BEFORE you cut it up - here is something I did. 17X23 should fit into your oven so try this - >

I had a huge one that was left in a hot car and it was not laying flat. When I took it out I tried everything. I finally did cut it up with a pair of heavy scissors so I could fit it onto a large cookie sheet, I laid another cookie sheet on top of it, put an Iron skillet on top of that on the middle rack of my oven. Turned the oven on to 250 and let it cook for 1.5 - 2 hr. Turned off the oven and let it sit overnight - the piece was perfectly flat in the morning. It was not as flexible as it had been but flat is better than wavy and I now have several usable smaller ones that I can take to classes etc and not use my replacement.

I used a pair of craft scissors. I can't imagine not being able to cut it with them. I cut my olfa and made a turntable one out of it and I had no problem with the scissors.

How did you turn it into a turntable? I also have a warped mat my total fault but I could cut it smaller but the turntable part is what confuses me.

I used a lazy susan from the thrift store for one of them. Then I purchased a chair swivel for Home Depot, and mounted it on a piece of board the size I wanted to make a smaller one. They both work great but, I like the smaller one better. It is a little lighter than the lazy susan.

featherweight thank you very much for the information. :)

You aew very welcome!!! :lol: :thumbup: :-P

You could have your Husband/boyfriend/friend/brother/dad/uncle/cute neighbor, ;) (you get the idea)to cut it on his table saw..