Dividing a cutting mat in half
 

I have three big cutting mats and my table is only big enough for two. I want to bring a cutting mat to my grandkids house but I’ll need to divide one of the mats to make it go on the plane? DH will do this and he has all sorts of tools and saws. Any ideas of the best way to do this? Have you done it before.

I have cut the mats with tin snips with no problem. The snips gives a clean cut. They are used for thin metal cutting. There are three types, left slant, right slant, and straight slant. I use the straight slant.
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Rather than cutting could you .... put it in the bottom of your suitcase?
If the suitcase is not big enough, could you put it so that about 1/2 is on the suitcase bottom, then set your clothes in, then gently bend the rest of the mat over the top before shutting the suitcase? The mats have a fair amount of flex, that I am pretty sure that mine would do that.

Thanks. Both excellent suggestions.

This is definitely what I'd do.

I would as well. For travel, I use the OmniGrid fold away cutting pressing station and one of the little Steamfast irons.

I understand your reasoning, that you have an extra mat, and although it's too large for travel, cutting it down would mean not having to buy another smaller mat. However I would probably buy a smaller mat too, and keep the extra large one for when one of the other large mats wears out.

Could you go out and buy one when you get to your grandkids house?

I think she means she will put it back together when she gets there. Easy to do with heavy tape on back. I have taped two mats together before and it worked fine. I would buy another one when I got there and save the hassle only because I don't do hassle. LOL

Love your response Tee-Hee-Hee! I never think to "not do hassle" until I have done the hassle and wasted way too much time, energy and sometimes.....money. I would just buy a smaller mat. For me large mats are too precious to cut even if they can be taped back together.

I've cut mats using the big snips like onebyone suggested. I use the straight ones, not the slant ones. Probably any heavy duty scissors would work also. Then if there are rough edges I use really fine sandpaper and give it a light rub on the edges. I've done this many times when the mats crack or chip on the corners.

It would be easier to just purchase a smaller mat to take with you!

I too would just buy a smaller mat, I have mats in various sizes some for travel others to work on very large projects. Sizes range from 6" square to 54" large. Each has its own function.

Thanks everyone. I actually have three really big mats. I only use one occasionally two. So I’m happy to give up the third. I have another foldable small mat that I’ve been bringing.

im willing to give up that third large mat to the grandkids. I’ve got everything else there. Machine thread, rulers pins. I’m going to buy a rotary cutter. With this and the mat I won’t have to lug stuff on the plane.

my husband has a pair of those snips and he will use them to cut the mat. It’s to big otherwise.

My husband used a saber saw to cut it. He said the saw worked great.

I have an Omnigrid Mat (ITEM 12wg) that is 11" x 8" when folded. It opens to a cutting board on one side and a ironing board on the other side. So useful for my 6" blocks! Wonderful for taking to (oh, what's the name?) "lessons", etc. Have a look for it!

I just ran mine through the table saw. I bought two to line my LA table. Set the fence at 18" and ran them through to have four pieces 36*18.