Super Hacker

Jim PolicastroOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

As most of you know, I have been hacking away at pink Styrofoam insulation panels for some time now - all in the hopes that what's left of the stuff will somewhat resemble a rocky cliff.

My tool of choice has always been "old faithful" here:

In keeping with my usual philosophy of "more is always better", I recently upgraded to this:

The spacers are 1/4" MDF.

Usually, I make a series of slits, and then break away the pieces between them. Now, I have lots and lots of slits in a short time!

I suppose you could even adjust the spacing by squeezing the blades together a little by wrapping a little duct tape around them near the ends, but when the pink flies around here, such precision is never a consideration.

Excuse me while I go find my shop vac.

Jim

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6/20/129:30 AM

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Allan MillerOGR Editor-in-Chief SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

And as soon as the patent is applied for, Jim will be offering this handy-dandy scenery former to the entire model railroading world. Right, Jim?

6/20/129:55 AM

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Jim PolicastroOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Allan,

Maybe I should reserve the back cover of OGR now for the first in a series of full page ads.

Jim

6/20/1210:01 AM

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Scrapiron ScherOGR Forum Member

I think another article is coming !!!

Looks like my mother's old potato grater.

Please give mom credit in the article.

I also think my old Bronx friend "Tommy The Shim" used one of these to get into Lincoln's parked outside overnight. Jim, did you know Tommy?

LOLOLOLOL

6/20/1210:35 AM

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AvantiOGR Forum Member

I dunno, Jim. Looks like it would work great, but it somehow lacks the character of "old faithful". Couldn't you have made it out of scrap particle board or something instead of MDF? At the very least, it needs some duct tape.

Cheers,

6/20/1210:36 AM

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Allan MillerOGR Editor-in-Chief SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Originally Posted by Jim Policastro:

Allan,

Maybe I should reserve the back cover of OGR now for the first in a series of full page ads.

Jim

Sounds like a plan! I think I can even arrange for a healthy discount if you'll run the ad for seven issues!

And Scrapiron's idea for an article sounds good, too. We need to see the how-to-make along with a series of shots of the device in action.

6/20/1210:41 AM

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wsdimennaOGR Forum Member

for many yrs I used hack saw blade w/o duct tape. Great way to do it away from layout. Where do you buy the upgrade kit

On layout I prefer the hot wire. Seems those pesky little pieces end up everywhere.

6/20/1210:47 AM

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mkOGR Forum Member

Hi Jim, When putting on the handle, aren't the blades soft to be able to drill?

6/20/1211:55 AM

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Jim PolicastroOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Originally Posted by Scrapiron Scher:

Looks like my mother's old potato grater.

Please give mom credit in the article.

Eliot,

That's it!!! You know, as I was putting it together, I had a flash of deja-vu. I knew it looked familiar. I guess our mothers shopped in the same kitchen utensil store, maybe the 5 and 10 on Morris Avenue just up from 161st?

Pete,

Duct tape to come! I might even wrap some foam rubber around the handle before taping.

Marty,

I was surprised how easy it was to drill the extra hole in the blades - not as tough as I thought it would be.

Jim

6/20/125:37 PM

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dk122trainsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

I have seen the knife in action and it works!!!!Better than one of those infomercial knives that slice, dice and do everything and have a lifetime guarantee!!Its the Policastro Kitchen/Hobby Pocket Knife!! Ron Popeel look out! Great Ingenuity!!!

6/20/129:29 PM