can the cougar use other mats?

[riogirl71]

I am looking for a 12x12 mat and was wondering which mats can the cougar take ok that aren't too thick, will it take cricut mats and others?

thanks

[Suzan]

Everyone I think that has owned a cricut has used their mats in their cougars. I know they are a minute fraction thicker, so you might have to adjust your blade a tiny bit, or use less force. I know the KNK mats are way thicker and shouldn't be used. But I know people have used even quilting mats (you reallly shouldn't use those). It isn't that the machine can't handle it. But the constant use of thick stuff, can mess with the pinch wheel springs. And you would hate that to happen.

[kate3]

I rarely use my cougar mats. I don't want to wear them out. I found cheap plastic mats and bought lots of them. Then I sprayed them to make them sticky. They work great but if I am making something special I use my cougar mats which is just the same but I feel better.

[kim]

I use my Cricut mats when I do mass productions, since the mat will wear out faster with the constant cuts in mone place. I also used them when I first started out so as to not ruin my new Cougar mats. Otherwise I just use the Cougar mats. They tend to last a long time and I really hate my Cricut mats that the company decided that Super Glue was a better adhesive and takes me forever to untacky it. Haven't tied anything else.

[riogirl71]

Thanks for the replies! I am experimenting with my cougar and did not want to ruin my cougar mats! I was looking for a cheaper substitute to experiment, I saw 2 Cricut mats for $10 on amazon 12 by 12 thanks for the tips on thickness!

[Suzan]

I have had my cougar for over 3 years now and I still use my original mats. Of course they are cracked, I tried to flatten them out by rolling them up backwards. So I took and put it on a hard surface and pressed the crack together flush and put some painters masking tape on the back. That was at least a year ago. These mats are tough.

[kim]

I tried to iron the grooves that the rollers made in my first mat. I turned the iron on low, but that didn't work. Turned it on higher....warped it. NOT a good idea. So, I am on my second mat. It's doing just fine. And since I move my mat around so the rollers don't always go in the same spot, I'm not getting the grooves so fast.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for that info, Kim. I had been considering trying the iron on mine too. Now I won't.

[riogirl71]

Another question, how do you clean your mat? Mine has fine dog hair on it even keeping it covered!!! Thanks!

[Suzan]

I use a nylon covered sponge and dish soap. Then once in a blue moon, I use goo gone and really clean them down. But the sponge and soap will do amazing things also