Anyone cutting sheet styrene with a paper cutter.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Was looking at a couple of paper cutters at Staples and wondering if anyone is using a paper cutter for cutting styrene. I would like to cut up .040 thick(1.0 mm) sheet for scrach building containers, buildings, truck trailers and long strips for hi-way guard rails. Thanks in advance…John

2

I use a utility knife and a square. I’ve cut up to .100 with no issues.

3

I’m sure the better quality ones would handle that thickness. You can always return it if it doesn’t work out.

4

I woundn’t bother. Paper cutters aren’t sharp enough to make a clean cut, and worse yet, they’ll curl one edge of the plastic during the cutting procedure (due to the nature of the tool itself). You’ll spend more time trying to square the edges of the curl than you will by cutting the plastic the “traditional” way: flat on a hard surface, with a metal ruler and square.

5

[#ditto]

6

I would not attempt to cut sheet styrene with a paper cutter – do it the traditional score and snap way with a straight edge and sharp utility knife. A paper cutter would probably mangle the edge of the cut.

7

Thanks for the infomation and I will leave it on the shelf…John