Mat Sliding around with pinch weels down...how to fix???

[KT Krafter]

Hi everyone-

I am cutting with a Cougar 24" and having just a horrible time getting a decent cut. I am starting with my mat at the edge of my machine (I don't like to move my blade around and it had in the past worked perfectly to leave it in the corner). I like to use a mat with my vinyl as I am most comfortable cutting that way and most of my cuts are smaller in size as well.

So, my problem is that my mat is sliding around EVERYWHERE. It acts as if the pinch wheels aren't even down (but they are)...I have at least 2 of them on the mat in correct position at once. The mat is sliding so much it is hitting the edge of the machine as it tries to cut.

I was told on the make-the-cut forum to try cleaning the wheels and plan to do that as soon as I can figure out how. For some reason I can't get in to look at directions. The wheels don't look or feel sticky or dirty, but haven't been cleaned in awhile (thats why I can't remember how to).

What are your thoughts? Is there something wrong with my machine? Someone mentioned that maybe something has loosened up or is out of place. Can you talk me through cleaning my pinch wheels as well (if that may be the problem)

Thanks so much
Katie

[Elizabeth]

Are the wheels under the red rectangles? One of my DDs was getting crazy cuts, and I discovered that I hadn't shown her how to position the wheels. (Guess I should have scheduled a Cougar training day for both daughers, so I wouldn't have to remember who I told what. )

[KT Krafter]

Thanks Elizabeth

Yes, the wheels are under the Red rectangles.

Katie

[newbiecat]

What are you trying to cut ? Is it thicker material ? What force and speed are you using ? Just trying to get a clearer picture of what is going on . Have you cut this file /media before without issues ?

Pandora

[KT Krafter]

The machine has been giving me trouble for quite some time with the mat sliding but I have been using vinyl since about 2011 when I got the machine with no trouble untill recently (maybe a month or so ago). I usually have my Force at around 40-43 and my Velocity at 70...and it has always cut great for me at those settings until recently.

Thanks!

[allandra42]

KT here is the tutorial on cleaning your pinch wheels I think I referenced it to you on the make the cut group?
http://learn.silverbulletcutters.com/si ... ual/clean/
it is very easy to do. Lesa

[Gigi]

And you are sure your pinch wheels are over the grit shaft? Mine slip on occasion so that is why I am asking.

When you put the mat in and put the pinch wheels down, can you grab the mat and pull it out? If you can, they may need to be cleaned and or tightened.

Here is how to clean them in the BC Learning Center http://blackcatus.com/learn/?page_id=700

[craftchallenged]

Just to clarify, is this a Cougar mat sliding around, or are you using a mat for a different machine with your Cougar? (I know a lot of us do at times)

[minorcustomcrafts]

The other thing I noticed on mine was that I also put the mat in the same place all the time. For some reason it does something to that area on the mat and when I felt the bottom of my mat it was a different texture than the rest of the mat. The grit thing on the bottom was not able to grip my mat anymore. Just a thought, maybe try a new mat and see if the makes a difference.

[kim]

When that happens to my mat, I put masking tape on the slick part to give the rollers something to grip. With my SB, I put my rollers on the edge of the mat (fits perfectly) so that the rollers don't get on the cutting area of my mat.

[allandra42]

KT Krafter I was wondering of cleaning your pinch wheels helped this? lesa