I’m planning to do a lot of scratchbuilding, and looking for ideas for a mini power tool that can be used to cut out the openings for windows in building walls. I’ve considered a scroll saw, but not sure if that’s the best answer. Looking for something that can be used with a fence or other guide to ensure straight cuts. Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.
Chuck
most of the power type tools will melt styrene plastic. using a hobby knife and a straight edge to “score” out a window opening is labor intensive but about the only way to get a straight accurate cut…chuck
[#ditto]
Just take your time and enjoy the labor of love. I always feel good doing something not out of a kit. Nothing wrong with kits just nice to have something unique !
It general is a pain in the duckass. This past weekend I tried super detailing the walls on my Walthers car shop with brick styrene sheets… It took me 1/2 hour for 1 of 30 pieces I will need to make. I think I’m going to try to find some paper backed brick pattern and cut it out that way.
There is a tool called a nibbler that is often used to cut patterns in sheet metal, but works well with plastic. If you’re windows are big enough, this may help
Looking to cut ithe windows in wood…
Use a new #11 blade in a X-Acto knife. If you are cutting scribed wood siding or basswood, place some masking tape behind the opening so the wood will not split. It only takes a few passes of a sharp blade. Buy the blades in packs of 100, its much cheaper - from Micro Mark.
Bob Boudreau
These most easy way is to mark your openings, drill small holes with a pin vise at each corner and use a metal stright edge with a hobby knife to cut them out. Bruce
Check the MicroMark catalog. They have a filing machine that they show cutting a series of window openings (just drill the center first). Item #83359, currently $79.95.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83359
Or if you’re interested in hand tools:
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81477
Micro Mark also has a Square Corner Cutter. It can be hammered or used in a drill press or their arbor press. The recommended method is to drill 4 small holes at the corner, cut between them and then use the corner cutter to cut out the round holes. You then need to fill back to the lines.
Another method, touted by styrene modelers, is to make horizontal bands and fill in the spaces btween the windows.
Mark or scribe the window on the styrene, drill as large a hole as possible in the middle of the window, then use a coarse square file and rip away till you meet the line , this works better than it sounds, I did a pile of window holes in a 2 story building in no time at all, finish off the window hole with a fine flat file . I have even made 4 pane windows with this method, it’s a little more complicated, styrene is a very forgiving material.
Hand tools, knives, files, etc.; forget power tools. With power tools, it’s too easy to cut too far. Once you’ve cut too far, it’s very difficult to uncut it.
-Ed