I LOVE my rotary cutter. I use it all the time. And I got a big mat for $45 at Discount Fabrics on 4th St in San Francisco... I almost bought two to place next to each other. Hm, maybe I should go get another one, now that I think about it.... Or, go to Tap Plastics, tell them that you'd be cutting on it so they give you the right stuff, and have them cut you a piece of plastic the size of your table. I had a friend do that, and she's used it for years.

:D

I'd like to bring your attention to a cutting mat alternative, one that I've used for the past 15 years. The stuff is called "VYCO" and is a board cover for drawing tables, drafting tables, etc. It's what architects use on their drawing tables. Waaaaaaaaaaay back when rotary cutters first came out, the cutting mats were made of this stuff. They were flexible, not at all stiff like the cutting mats are today. It has a "self-healing" surface, but to be sure, if you bear down hard enough, you will slice right through it.

I have a cutting table, 45"x60". I had a Vyco mat cut to that dimension at my local engineering supply store. They stock Vyco in rolls and will happily cut a smaller sheet for you, if they don't have a pre-cut sheet in a size you want in their remnant bin. My first mat lasted about 7 years - and let me tell you, it was used constantly. The corner of the table where I habitually cut my fabric got the most wear, but when the slices from the rotary cutter became too annoying, I just rotated the entire mat on my cutting tale so a new corner was being used.

I haven't noticed that my rotary cutters dull any faster on it than on the rigid mats.

If you do a Google search on 'vyco', you will come up with a number of hits ... look for places that also sell the board cover and ignore the sites that are selling items with Vyco already on it. Vyco comes in rolls (way too much for an individual's use) as well as pre-cut sheets. The prices I've found online are extremely reasonable .. compare them to comparably sized Fiskars and Olfa rigid mat prices!

From one of the websites, I've copied the blurb for Vyco:
VYCO vinyl board cover is durable, versatile, and easy-to-install. This 5-ply vinyl board cover (often referred to as BORCO) is designed specifically to protect heavily used surfaces. Available in 10-yard rolls or pre-cut sheets, our VYCO features:

* Perfect, smooth, stain-resistant working surface for all drawing boards, tables, desks, reference tables, inspection tables, sorting tables, filing cabinets, craft tables, sewing tables, countertops, and shelving.
* Compass points, tacks, and hard pencil impressions will not mar VYCO-protected surfaces; self-sealing surface recovers almost immediately.
* Translucent VYCO is ideal for use with lightboxes or for protecting fine wood and glass-topped furniture. Useful over graph paper or as a desk protector.
* Preserves and protects expensive furniture against mars, scars, cuts, dents; prolongs the life of new boards and table tops.
* Will not deteriorate, discolor or crack.
* Easy to clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Mild all-purpose cleaner such as "409" works well.
* Easy to install. VYCO vinyl board cover cuts to size easily with scissors, attaches with double-sided tape. [note: I did *not* use double-sided tape on my mat .. it's heavy enough that it just lies on top of my cutting table]

3 styles available:
Green/Cream – One side no-glare green, the other a rich cream color
Gray/White – One side elegant pearl gray, the other a soft matte white
Translucent – See-through clear

So, consider this having your consciousness raised about alternative to the rigid Fiskars & Olfa mats. :-)

What do people think about electric scissors? I got a pair at a garage sale for a few bucks -- pretty good shape, but I find it hard to get used to, but I wonder how that compares to a rotary cutter.