Wanted: Tools or Suggestions for beveling styrene sheets

I just use a file and take my time but I've neer had to do that much.

Dremel makes a small router table for their rotary tools that is about $25, and they have various router bits.  That would be the way if I had a lot to do, and wanted it to all be consistent.

I agree with Lee.  They could be hand filed, but you better have plenty of your favorite music (or something) on hand.  And then there is the consistency, like Lee mentioned.

Could use one of the small disk sanders set at 45 degrees with a fence (& and a shop vac & mask on).

You might be able to use something like this....

Chamfer Plane Link

Generally used for woodworking, but styrene is pretty soft stuff...probably wouldn't be a problem with this tool.

It'd take some adapting, but depending on how much of this you have to do, it could be a time saver as well as provide consistency.

Not sure what your project is, but in general I would be doing what Lee suggests....with a homemade fixture.  I'd take a scrap piece of hardwood...say, oak or maple...and cut a 45-degree bevel along an edge.  Then I'd clamp the styrene edge just 'proud' of the bevel.  Running a regular ol' file along the hardwood bevel will shave the styrene preferentially over the hardwood.  In fact, I have several rather dull files (seen better days doing yeoman's duty on metals) just for smoothing softer materials....like styrene.  Those old and dull flat b_stards (just like me!) couldn't cut oak or maple if my life depended on it.  But they love their second life on wimpy stuff!!

So, as always, FWIW.....

KD

BTW....re using power tools....saws, routers, sanders, etc....too much speed will 'melt' the edge rather than cut it cleanly.  We're talking 1/16" styrene edges here....I think God gave us enough 'power' to cut a bevel on this edge!!!

Straight edge razor blade. Light perpendicular scraping will do it quickly.

Table saw works if you have one . Use a fine tooth blade.

I have also use an electric carving knife,finishing up with a surform plane or rasp.

I would use a laminate trimming cutter in a router. Rabbit a piece of hardwood at least as wide as the radius of your router base to hold the styrene. These bits are carbide and stay sharp which will limit heating. Keep the tool moving and you won't melt the plastic.

Pete

I'll throw two suggestions into the ring as well.

Most mat cutters intended for mounting and framing art can be used at 90° or at standard angles like 45° and 30°.  Logan is a common manufacturer available at most art or hobby and craft stores.  Versions are available handheld, or at greater expense the cutter is mounted on rails with a fence.

For a homemade jig intended for beveling strip styrene, check out the posts about halfway down the first page of this thread on scratchbuilding an O scale boxcar.

If you trying to bevel sheet styrene, or anything wider than the depth of brass channel you can find, then I would consider the mat cutter.

Jim