X-acto blades - is there something I don't know?

[Guest]

Can't seem to find any replacement X-Acto no.11 blades in stock anywhere on that there internet - am I missing something that's made them unavailable?

Aside from that if I can't get any X-Acto ones are "normal" scalpel blades OK for modelling or are they too flimsy?

Cheers!

[John]

No11 fine point is out of stock but No11 broad tip is in stock here

[Dave W]

I gave up trying to get Xacto blades locally and got some Swann Morten no.3 size scalpels.Just as good as the Xacto tools and the blades seem just as strong.Have to be careful changing the blades though as its a bit tricky compared to an Xacto.

[stona]

I use scalpel blades almost exclusively,Swann Morten No11 for most blade related work. They are more fragile than an Xacto type blade and a lot finer. I do have some "heavier" blades which I can use if required. As Dave said above you need to be careful changing scalpel blades.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

OK, cheers guys. While I'm not trying to saw through thick bits of plastic the thought of "pinging" a scalpel blade that's not designed for the task is quite nauseating. I don't usually need much excuse to chop bits off the sides of fingers when handling blades either so am trying to be doubly cautious in my old(er) age :-)

[stona]

I don't use a knife for cutting parts of the sprues,I'm sure I'd bust a blade or two trying. I use a pair of side cutters for sprue cutting.

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

Ive got a small pair of electricians wire cutters that i use for removing parts from the sprue.They look identical to the more expensive sprue cutters ive seen advertised in modelling magazines.

[Guest]

Yeah, I use cutters to cut off the sprue, I'm not that much of a divvy*! A pair recommended by Mr.Fenlander on here no less if memory serves me correctly...

*not that anyone who does so is a divvy, you understand. I'm not making any friends here am I :guilty:

[Dave W]

Havent heard the word 'Divvy' since i was stationed at RAF Coningsby in the 70's/early 80's.Are you from the Fens/Lincolnshire area Mr Munkster?.I used to be a divvy and cut parts off the sprue with a knife.Untill i snapped a few blades and damaged a few parts.Now its sprue cutters only

[Guest]

Nope, I'm firmly from the West Midlands (Birmingham) me... I think the term is reasonably universal isn't it??

[Guest]

Universal? Yes, divvys and divs are everywhere, especially on the motorway :smile11:

I use one of these and buy boxes of 50 blades at a time, never broken one yet

Swann-Morton Craft Knives and Blades.