Which is the best for cutting the walls on my Ameritowne kits? I have much difficulty with the solid blade hand saw and was wondering if the jewelers design was better. Thanks...
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This doesn't answer your question directly, but I use the tip of a broken No. 11 Exacto blade by drwing the blade tip backwards, scribing the plastic along a straightedge, and snapping the plastic. It will take several passes with the blade, since the walls are 1/4" thick.
I don't think either of the saws you listed will do what you want. The snap/back cut Xacto will not track properly because of the re-enforcing material on the top side of the blade. The jewelers saw blade is too flexible. It tends to wander unless you take it real slow and make sure the blade is real sharp. A hack saw with a small kerf blade and cutting the from the back side with the walls lying horizontal is your best bet for "sawing". I'm with SMD4 on repeated scoring on the back side and then snapping the plastic. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it but it works well. You can dress the edge with a file or 240 grit sandpaper.
One of the small hobby table saws?
John,
If you are making horizontal cuts in the walls to reduce or add floors to the building, the walls are already pre-grooved on the reverse side. Just use a hobby knife, utility knife or that razor saw to deepen the grooves slightly. Then place the groove over the edge of a table, front side of the wall down, and snap.
If you are making vertical cuts to reduce the width of the walls, then do what Chuck suggested, making many repeat scorings if you use the snap technique.
Depending on what tools you have available, my favorite method is with the bandsaw, followed by a second or two on my big belt sander to true the edge.
Jim
If you are making horizontal cuts in the walls to reduce or add floors to the building, the walls are already pre-grooved on the reverse side. Just use a hobby knife, utility knife or that razor saw to deepen the grooves slightly. Then place the groove over the edge of a table, front side of the wall down, and snap.
If you are making vertical cuts to reduce the width of the walls, then do what Chuck suggested, making many repeat scorings if you use the snap technique.
Depending on what tools you have available, my favorite method is with the bandsaw, followed by a second or two on my big belt sander to true the edge.
Jim
I Like to score a nice groove with the the backside of an X-acto blade then either use repeated strokes with the cutting edge or finish the cut with a hobby saw. It depends on the thickness of the plastic. I will also score and snap-depending on the plastic or my mood, etc. The bottom line--do what works for you. These are all valid methods.
Dennis
Dennis
