I was looking at the latest FSM and was drooling over Bill Pettyjohn’s models. I have noticed, not only in Bill’s models, that many times flaps and tail fins are repositioned. Okay what I want to know is how this is done. What technique/tool is used to cut the plastic and not leave a large gap. I thought I read somewhere that a razor saw is used, if so what and where do i get one?
scott
I use a razor saw to cut into the wing but I use an Exacto blade to score the hinge edge so I can snap off the control surface. I use a fresh blade but I use the back side of the blade to score with. After I free the control surface I glue thin pieces of styrene to correct the thickness removed by the razor saw. You can find razor saws at just about any place that stocks hobby tools or Exacto or Excel products. I like the saw that model railroaders use made by Atlas, the “Super Saw”.
Also have a look a jeweller saws and similar goodies.
Any hobby shop or craft shop that stocks Excacto products should carry their razor saw and it’s pretty cheap but works. The biggest problem I have with them is that they are lightly enough built that under certain conditions they will bend. Some of the better hobby shops carry a line of hobby tools produced by Zona. The Zona Saw has much stiffer blades and is a better buy IMHO although somewhat more expensive. And no matter what brand you buy, it’ll take a little practice to get profecient with them.
You might try the Atlas brand “Super Saw”. The blade is very thin and the teeth are ultra fine. Best of all the very wide, stiff spine of the saw has grooved thumb rests. The handle angle and thumb rests make for a very precise and controlable tool.
you can also use a sribing tool to seperate the plastic, just use a little more pressure each time you scribe the particular line
okay cool, so they are called razor saws. Where I live, there are no hobby stores. Pathetic huh? Where could I get one online?
How about here. http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=EX30450
If yo have a local Wal-Mart, you can find X-Acto products in their craft department, including razor saws. I’m fond of the Olfa cabinet saw. It’s small, expremely sharp, and cuts on the pull stroke rather than on the push stroke. Cuts quickly and cleanly.
Razor saws are great for most of your cutting needs but when you need something really, really thin see your dentist. I picked up a dental saw from mine that will slip between your teeth without a problem - works great for flap removal.
sorry about the double posting.
If you’re bending your saw, it’s because you’re trying to get too much out of it. Let the saw do the work, I’m a cabinetmaker and I see this happen all the time to fellas that work a little too quickly.
[#ditto] saws work by themselves, you arent making things any faster by shoving down on them. increasing pressure wont help, but increasing stroke frequency might.
You can also use sewing thread held taut (either with your fingers or a saw frame). It’s the cleanest method I’ve found (the friction heat melts the sawdust together, you just pull it off like flash after you’ve completed the cut), very flexible (I’ve used to use this trick to remove doors from car model body shells) and unlike razor saws, you can usually use both resulting pieces if you’re careful because thread has virtually no kerf.
Barring that, try scribing with the back of an exacto blade. It may sound paradoxical, but being patient and going slow is the fastest way to get a good result. Good luck!
You can buy razor saws at
I use a Zona saw also and never had a problem with bending. I’ve also tried (just once) using thread. Once you get a groove in the slot you want ot cut., rapidly moving a tensioned thread back & forth will cut thru the plastic. Sounds kinda offbeat but its was easier than I expected.