NWSL 'Chopper'

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Is anyone using the NWSL ‘Chopper’ or something similar? Or maybe like Turbine8500 did with his paintbooth make one?

I am really thinking about buying one, but wanted to see what others experience has been with these cutters. I have a bunch of scratchbuilding to do, little things really and using an Xacto knife and small triangle to keep my cuts square is a bear.

Thanks

2

I bought one many years ago before I even had a use for it. Boy was I glad I bought it! Really helps when doing scratchbuilding (or anything else) with stripwood or styrene strips! It is one of my favorite tools.

A year or so ago I bought one of the newer Choppers, with the metal base, and its even nicer. Sold my old one for what I paid for it years ago.

Bob Boudreau

3

I have had one for over twenty years and will not part with it. I have patched the area below the blade several times but that it all.It sounds like the newer ones are made of metal so this should not need to be done any more. I still use it every day.
BB

4

I see the new one uses standard single edge razor blades? They have a Chopper 3 out also. Hmmm.

So the chopper will cut clean threw a styrene stick? I am currently scoring and snapping.

Thanks!!

5

They’ve always used the single edged razor blades. Best to buy them in big packs, much cheaper. I bought my Chopper3 from MicroMark when it was on sale, and also ordered a package of 100 blades.

Cuts stripwood and stryene strips. Thicker pieces can be a problem at times, as the flexible blade wants to wander sideways, making the cut at a slight angle. I got around this by making cuts on all four sides. I’m talking about HO scale stuff in the 10"-12" range here.

If you get the original Chopper with the wood (Masonite) base, repeated use will wear a slot in the base. This can be fixed by filling the slot with some five minute expoxy once in a while.

Bob Boudreau

6

Thanks to both of you again. I am going to go ahead and get the Chopper III, I can see it really adding to the hobby, and my terrible steady hand [:D]

7

I’ve had the Chopper for ages, before they were numbered. I’ve used it on a LOT of scratchbuilding, both stripwood and styrene strips. Also, if you’re getting into scratchbuilding with either material, may I suggest also picking up the Duplicutter (for styrene sheet) and the Tru-Sander for squaring up the cut edges from both. Makes assembly much easier to square.