I was looking for some 30 mil by 80/90 mil brass strips and couldnt find them anywhere. Then found out they have dropped anything narrower than quarter inch. Ouch! I use a lot of thin brass strips. I guess I will have to learn to use styrene strips instead.
Hi;
No You Don’t! You can get sheets the thickness you need. Then Clamp them to a piece of glass( Tempered) and using a non skid ruler( Stainless) Set the strip width and draw a Polycarbonate cutter gently down the length of the sheet. That sets the line. Gently draw a Scratch Awl down that line till it separates. Do not try to break or bend it off. Just go slow and steady.
I have had to do this for some time now as the pieces in the length I needed got scarce and I found myself with the same problem. I buy my sheet from a Heating and Air supply house. They think it’s funny that a Model Builder has to come to them. But we have a good laugh and they certainly take my money willingly!
One final thought. When you get a strip separated, draw it through or over a length of 320 grit to remove the sharp edge or clamp in a vice and section by section gently file it smooth!
I have never heard of a polycarbonate cutter. Where do you find them? How thick of brass will it cut?
Try the jewelry making supplies at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s. Also search for “brass strips” at Etsy. You’ll be amazed at what you can find.
I checked Michaels and HL. They were both out of narrow strips, as was my local hobby shop. I suspect none of them will restock since K & S is out of production on them.
Hi;
The cutter I mentioned can be had from Micro-Mark, It may be described many ways the most common - Sheet Plastic cutter!
Ah! Thanks, TB