Hi Everybody,
Thanks again for all your info on white glue. Now I have another question already. In looking through my “pile of stuff” I found a set of 25 year old Chooch tunnel portals I would like to use but they are too tall. Can anyone suggest a way of smoothly cutting this material? It seems to be some sort of cast resin, I don’t know if it is the same material as is used today. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Modify chooch loads all the time, same material. I use a fine hobby saw, no issues.
Or maybe a hacksaw. Should cut much faster. And you’re not all that concerned with the finish of the cut, being on the bottom and covered with “dirt”.
Ed
I’m with Ed on this one. The hacksaw will be faster, and if the material dulls the blade, a replacement blade will be cheaper.
Wayne
I’ve had to cut down quite a few of the tunnel portals, even cutting them at the center to put two halfs together, I too tried a hacksaw blade…But…I found a crosscut wood saw (like a Xacto wood saw) to be much faster and easier. The blade will cut a tiny bit wider, but the cut goes faster because the flutes in the blade Do Not collect dust/powder/heat from friction and glog up, like a fine blade or hacksaw will. Try it…You will see what I mean!
BTW: One more little tip I found over the yrs. Should you have to cut a wide section and the blade/saw binds a lot during cutting, take a regular bar of soap and run the saw blade teeth through the bar of soap, that will eliminate the binding with an easier cut. The lanolin/animal fat will lubricate the teeth…just remember to wash off the soap on the material…but to be honest, I never have!
You could also use the bar soap trick on sticking/binding wooden doors and double hung windows…works like a charm.
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
A 12-14 TPI hacksaw blade works wonderfully well. Do not put down much pressure, and go slowly.
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Wear a dust mask whenever you are working with resin castings.
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-Kevin
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Thanks for all the suggestions. For some reason it took four days from from the time I submited the question until it was actually posted. Not being one to wait around I decided to forge ahead. I cut the pieces with a Dremel with a metal cutting blade. It did a wonderful job but the dust was terrible. Won’t be doing that again! Thanks again for the input.
I too used a Dremel (reinforced cutting disc) and liked the clean cut, cleaner than I got with a hack saw or razor saw. I did it outside due not just to the dust but the rather strong odor. As I always do when using a Dremel tool I wear eye protection because the blades can shatter and the resin can send chips flying.
Dave Nelson