I read an article today on The Modeling News about a product from AK Interactive. They are laser cut cutting boards that will allow you to cut straight or curved lines. Here are a couple of links:
Pretty close, huh? So the question is, is one company just copying the other, or are they related?
My second question would be, has anyone used them and if so, what do you think of them? They’re kind of pricey, but do look like they would be rather useful.
I’m not sure I understand it. How is it different than those green self-healing mats I see at the hobby shops and craft stores? And what does laser cutting mean?
It’s not a mat for cutting on. Rather, it’s a grid/guide for cutting parallel lines and exact perpendicular lines in masking tape. I believe you just apply a strip of masking tape over the mat, put the tip of your knife in the selected slot and cut.
If I recall correctly, Voyager makes a number of similar products in PE.
They look practically identical. May be that only the price will be your guide. I watched a short video on the AK type 1 & 2 and I see where they would have a place in my modeling tools. No they are not just cutting mats. These are tools for cutting masking tape into various widths, angles etc. with a high degree of accuracy. But they are pricey for what you get. Will probably buy one but not all of them.
I could be wrong but I do believe these boards have laser cut channels that your knife follows for making easy masks for straight lines and circles. I think this is more than just printed lines like all the other mats.
That’s what small metal rulers are for. I use it all the time on several occassions. Why spend for a special mat to cut straight lines? Circles? I use a compass cutter.
Alright sir… well no one says you have to get one. It’s just another tool for someone to use, some may like it some may not. I’ve spent $20 on much worse things so this won’t break me.
I have the one for striaght lines. It makes prscision cuts in exact 1mm increments, perfectly straight every time. Actually handy in the right situations where prescision is needed.