Straightness is the key to precision.

[deKleijn]

Personally i think working with straight cut bits of plastic would make live a hell of allot easier, i have searched my local hardware stores for those "proxxon sawbench"  machines but cannot find it or anything similar. Therefore i am just wondering how can you cut a straight edge with a simple craft knife or any hobby knife. I have looked at dremmel multitool but also i dont think i can find the exact power tool. there is always the possibility of shipping a machine over but for know, if i could ask for your help and tell me the secrets methods you guys have.

 

Merci, Jan

[Deere-est]

Metal ruler and either a scriber - score and snap or a hobby knife.

[deKleijn]

What is a score and snap? i use a craft knife but not the best in my opinion, i think i might try and find a scalper

[Niels]

I think a scalper knife is best indeed and a metal ruler. Don't try and slice it in two at once as all you'll do is shatter the knife blade. Make a few cuts and then snap off the plastic. Will leave a nice and clean finish.

[allis8550]

A steel rule and a simple stanley knife, make a couple of light passes and snap off. Thinner card you can cut right through, for heavier gauge sheet score well and snap off , works on plastic card up to 80-100 thou.

 

Andrew

[Barry]

This is the very reason I bought the Proxxon saw.

When I was using a blade, I found it was cutting at an angle, and even a score and snap never got the cut straight, I was then cutting and trying to sand down the piece to a flat edge with varying degrees of success.  

[deKleijn]

Yea i am having that same probem barry just struggling to find one of these saws.

[Barry]

I got mine from Conrad online.

 

They are also on Amazon

 

Or maybe try emailing this guy (Are you in New Zealand or Netherlands??

 

 

Export partner Netherlands


Hegner & Ko

Fermiweg 16

3208 KT Spijkenisse

   

Tel.: +31 (0)181 64 75 35

Fax: +31 (0)181 64 73 11

Email: rob@hegner.nl

 

 

or these peoples 

 

 

Export partner New Zealand

PROXXON World ®

(via Australia)

Factory 4 - 2 Teamster Close

Tuggerah Business Park NSW 2259

Australia

 Tel.: +61 (0)2 4353 3999

Fax: +61 (0)2 4353 3959

Email: info@proxxon-world.com

URL: www.proxxonworld.com.au 

[Deere-est]

Score and snap is a term, not a tool by the way. It does leave a stepped prodike to the cut edge though as the scriber has a V profile. Tamiya make one, about $10 at a guess, ideal for styrene sheet too thick for a scalpel.

[SPN]

This might be a good time to ask Seaniekins what tools and techniques he uses to cut the doors out of cabs.

[Barry]

I have used this tool from Tamiya, Plastic Scriber II, it cuts with a straight blade, hard work though, but worth a go with before buying the saw!

(Think this might be the one Tris mentioned)

 

Plastic Scriber II
Item No：74091

 

 

[Tractorman810]

doors in cabs?? mmm no worrys stan, basicly a good sharp hobby knife, with a no1 blade in ,only thing i do is snap the very end off to get a flat end, then gently work the blade backwards and forwards along the line / scroe in the cab where your cutting ,the flat edge pushes a thin ripple out each time, gives you a nice point/angle where two lines meet then, just reverse the line so you push the same number of times along the whole lenght, so 4 front edge  of door to back then 4 back back edge to front.

cutting straight edges ,well yes a proxion would be nice, but right now i dont warrent the cost in relation to time getting anything done , but when i do get things done its the scribe and snap method along a clamped down metal ruler,  i use, i do usally  scribe it 3 or 4 times mind, then a light rub down to remove the lip thats usally left, a proxon  saw bench, and with luck a  desk mounted sander  unit to,will arrive once work slows down a bit though ,just to make life a lot easier

[jdc]

Metal ruler and either a scriber - score and snap or a hobby knife.

That's all I use too. A nice fine bladed snap-off knife, kept sharp and a steel rule with tape on the back to stop it sliding.

[deKleijn]

I think i will just have to be more precise and accurate, and do the modelling before i open a beverage because otherwise i lose all concentration

[deKleijn]

 

I got mine from Conrad online.

 

They are also on Amazon

 

Or maybe try emailing this guy (Are you in New Zealand or Netherlands??

 

 

Export partner Netherlands

Hegner & Ko

Fermiweg 16

3208 KT Spijkenisse

   

Tel.: +31 (0)181 64 75 35

Fax: +31 (0)181 64 73 11

Email: rob@hegner.nl

 

 

or these peoples 

 

 

Export partner New Zealand

PROXXON World ®

(via Australia)

Factory 4 - 2 Teamster Close

Tuggerah Business Park NSW 2259

Australia

 Tel.: +61 (0)2 4353 3999

Fax: +61 (0)2 4353 3959

Email: info@proxxon-world.com

URL: www.proxxonworld.com.au 

 

Im in New Zealand, and i might give try other methods before investing, but does the plastic not melt to the blade saw?

[Philsterrainstudio]

I use a clear plastic ruler with a steel edge have done for years and my trusty scalpel A10 blades (Box of 100) with a pointy tip and a set square.

 

once the plastic is cut use your scalpel to scrape the edge flat, then offer your cut piece to your set square if you see light showing along the edge of your piece and the blade of your set square, then scrape it again all your doinging is planning the edge flat. That's how I was taught.

 

Always remember to cut away from the piece you want, if you apply to much pressure with your scalpel - this will happen -

 

1) your blade will slip pushing your ruler and cutting into your piece(start again).

2) your blade will snap. as below 

3) your blade is blunt - change it and use pleirs not your fingers - yeah I know its the hassel,but safety comes first - we need our finger tips to pick our noses ha ha!

 

I use the clear plastic ruler with the metal edge so that I can see whats beneath when cutting and most clear rulers come with grid lines helps you a great deal, I still have metal rulers though.

 

Hope this helps

 

Happy cutting - be safe