Olfa rotating cutting mat
 

Today I purchased a 17X17 Olfa rotating mat at Joanns. Was 50% off plus I had a 20% coupon. Yay!
But....I am a little disappointed. I guess I was expecting it to turn easily, and it doesn't. Does anyone know if it gets easier to turn with use? Thanks!

I had the same problem and discovered I had not taken it out of the bottom base piece then it rotated.

It should turn easy, I have two of them, I turn them by placing my fingers on the corner and turning, not at the center. It is also very helpful if you put a non skid pad under them. I use the rubberized kitchen liner you can get at the dollar store. If it moves at all on your table, it will be difficult to turn. The liner stabilizes it.

Mine turn easy enough.

I did the exact same thing!!! In fact, I bought one, didn't like how it turned and then sold it. Then I read somewhere about having to take off the bottom thingy so when I had a 60% off coupon for Joanns I bought another one and now I love it!!!

I have a FISKARS 12x12. Love it Wish I had a 17x17. No problem with turning. BrendaK

How do you all get a 60% off coupon for JoAnns. Here it is only 40% most all the time.

i know during the black friday sale, that mat was 60% off. i tried to order it online but it was temporary out. after the sale was over they magically had more. i will wait to see if the mats go on 60% sale closer to ch
ristmas.

A friend of mine bought one, and as I watched her use it, struggle with getting it to turn, I decided I didn't really want one.

I had not seen the square mat before I bought the circular one which is on the right in the top row of the link at the bottom. I got it for $47 at a craft show. However, judging from the prices on the other mats there would have been no sale if I'd seen the others first. The only problem with the completely circular one is that it has a tendency to swing a bit too easily and as it is raised about 2cm off the table it is difficult to cut and rotate pieces that are larger than about 12".So it is really best for small, fussy cutting. Hope this advice is helpful to folk in my neck of the woods.
http://www.victoriantextiles.com.au/...y:Cutting+Mats

I have one of the square mats with the ironing pad on the other side and have found it works nicely as a rotating mat.....moves easily and stays in place.

I have one it turns easy. It's real small tho so use it for small piecing

All the cutting mats were on sale for 50% off. The coupon I had was only for 20%

I bought one and was disappointed it didn't turn easier. Off to see if I can fix it and get some use out of it. Thanks for the tip!

Oh man do I feel dumb, my daughter is still laughing. Okay a moment of justification, the base looks like such a basic part of the mat it never occurred to me that it should be removed. I guess the base is for if you want to use it as just a mat.

Ok, I still have the base on mine too. So I took it off, and yes it does turn easier then but slides all over the place also. I am thinking the base really does belong with the mat. Why else would it be there and why make such a nice one if it isn't meant to be used? Hmmm not sure on this one.

A friend gave me an old one that's got cut marks all over so not really usable. Wondering if I could glue a new top onto it? It still turns alright but is only 12" square.
Has anyone tried resurfacing one?

I have the 12 inch and love it. So many pieces need to be turned to cut around and it works great.
Just enough hold to keep it from running away yet turns easy.
I dont understand what the problem is, mine works perfect. You just turn the top part not the whole thing. It is really simple to use. It is two pieces the top one turns and the bottom has a small hole in it for the top to sit in. You just turn the top one.