Theme editor

Scale Model Shop

hot knife ?

Status
Not open for further replies.

monica

New member
Joined
Oct 30, 2013
Messages
15,169
Reaction score
0
Points
0
1/3
Thread owner
hi i was wondering if you can get a heated bladed hobby knife ?

as if i need to open a hatch or door on a model , i use a fine blade heated

over the gas burner on the stove to cut the bit out, but was thinking surly

there, must be a better way off doing it so you don't lose about 2 to 3 mm

off each side

Moni
 
You can also buy a very fine bladed fretsaw that can be used to cut holes. You will need to drill a small hole to pass the blade through but it works well.

If you have a steady hand you could also use a panel line cutter or P cutter and scratch the panel line right through. I some times just use a scalpel but mine the fingers, they are a lot easier to cut than plastic.

Another good trick is good old cotton thread. I use it some times to cut flaps and rudders off aircraft kits.

Ian M
 
Thread owner
hi Lan M / Allyne

yes both good ways around it , as there is so meany little tools i need to get like i think its called a pin vice

or hand brill for fine drill bits, razes saw, and a few others things

oh yes i have had a scalpel right through my fingers a few times trying to scratch out the line ,that why i

tried the hot blade

i have never herd off that way with the cotton thread so it acts like a saw ?

thanks guys

mONI
 
Don't know whether you can get these 'down under' but some sort of attachment like this for a soldering iron might be what you want:

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/6433-hot-knife-blade-chuck-hk11-weller.html

Have to be careful melting plastic though as some of them give off some very nasty fumes.

Gern
 
Hi Moni, I found this guy a couple of years ago, he has a nice range of saw blades and other useful tools. serves is good to. Hope this helps a little.

Link

cheers Richi
 
The best way I have found is with a razor blade. The American type with a thick backing one edge the other the blade.

The blades are half that of the Morton Knives and are very sharp. Just scribe lightly around the object repeating with more weight each time. You get a very nice cut & if the piece to be cut out is still to be used there is no damage if carefully done with patience.

Problem with a hot knife it will distort the plastic.

This American blade has lots of uses cutting tape on canopies as one.

Laurie
 
\ said:
Hi Moni, I found this guy a couple of years ago, he has a nice range of saw blades and other useful tools. serves is good to. Hope this helps a little.Link

cheers Richi
I get some bits from Radu including his razor saws. Very good, but you will need your own handle.

Cheers

Steve
 
\ said:
I get some bits from Radu including his razor saws. Very good, but you will need your own handle.Cheers

Steve
Hi Steve, he sells Handles too at the end of the page. but most of us have probable handles. :D :D

Cheers Richi
 
Thanks Richi, I never looked on the RB site for handles so it's good to know they are there.

Here's a picture of one of the RB fine razor saws (he does an ultra fine too IIRC) assembled and in a handle above a standard Tamiya razor saw. I hope you can see how much finer the RB saw is.



Cheers

Steve
 
Thread owner
hi all thats great help thank you all very much , plus the links ,as you get to a point and just need a better tool kit

and the cheap tools for the two dollar shop just are not worth it ,and after having blades in the fingers a few times

well,the pic is real clear and shows both saws, have not seen these The American type razor blades in yrs,

the other thing or problem is cutting pop sticks ,as the wood is so hard and have had a few close ones with them

whats a good way off cutting them length ways plz,ever i score down them adding a little more presser they just

dont wont to cut , then you slip and put the Stanly knive into your hand

Moni

View attachment 75739

View attachment 188762
 

Attachments

  • pop sticks.jpg
    pop sticks.jpg
    3.4 KB · Views: 0
For me the best way is make a hole with a drill and then cut with a jewellers saw
 
Thread owner
hi, that would work as well there just nasty hard things, i was also thing off using a big chisel or wide one

to slit them ,
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top