Saw off control surfaces

[VALENGO]

I thought I had seen everything in modeling, but recently discovered in a website this technique to saw off control surfaces. At my 47 years old this was a novelty for me: sewing thread is used as a flexible cutting tool in a back and forth motion, there is almost no lack of material (the thread doesn´t "chew" plastic). When it breaks, simply unwind a little more and keep cutting. With time you can feel when the thread is near to break and anticipate.
Only precaution: be sure that the piece is firmly attached before start, it tends to bend and shake with every stroke.
Well, for me this was a "before and after", hope that it be useful to others.

 

[Airframes]

It's a useful way to do some cutting, but control has to be tight if precision is required. Dental floss is better than standard sewing thread, but some razor saws will give an even finer, smoother cut, with less work involved.

 

[VALENGO]

I tried dental, but It gives a wider cut. About precission, I keep one side of the thread at 90° of the surface, and the other parallel at the line I am cutting and this way I get a good straight line.

 

[Wurger]

I agree with Terry. But..I can say addotionally that making of separate control surfaces usually needs to add some plastic to these as leading edges.So the problem of how much styrene can be lost during cutting, is of no account
practically.

 

[N4521U]

Goes right back to molding and casting......... see attached. I know it's a bit more work but it gives results like buying cast resin accessories.

 

[VALENGO]

separate control surfaces usually needs to add some plastic to these as leading edges.So the problem of how much styrene can be lost during cutting, is of no account
practically.

Well, as I´m working in an 1/32 I consider that the plastic lost is approximately correspondent to the gap between wing and ailerons, and I find this way of cut more funny and less hard than using knives (though I have well sharpened ones). In minor scales I agree: every cut is too wide.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Never heard of this so thanks for posting it.

 

[Wurger]

Well, as I´m working in an 1/32 I consider that the plastic lost is approximately correspondent to the gap between wing and ailerons, and I find this way of cut more funny and less hard than using knives (though I have well sharpened ones). In minor scales I agree: every cut is too wide.

I see.

 

[Crimea_River]

That technique is news to me also. Might give it a try as I think my razor saw leaves too much of a gap in 1/48 scale.

 

[Rustybugs]

Never heard of this either. Will give it a try.

 

[looney]

Isn't it impossible to keep the cut straight?

 

[Capt. Vick]

Goes right back to molding and casting......... see attached. I know it's a bit more work but it gives results like buying cast resin accessories.

What is the mold material big guy?

 

[DarrellC]

I am building a B-25B. I purchased the Verlinden control surfaces. Cut the kit surfaces and fit the new ones on. I am very pleased with the outcome. Haven't figured out the photo thing yet.
http://s4.beta.photobucket.com/user...ort=3&o=0_suid=136283675503702624146514335411

 

[Crimea_River]

Hi Darrell. Your best bet is to upload pics from your hard drive. Make sure they are sized to no more than 800 pixels wide and resolution is down in the 250-300dpi range or less. In the Quick Reply menu box, you'll see an icon that looks like a picture, just to the left of the filmstrip icon. Press that and a window opens where you can select picture files for upload.

 

[DarrellC]

how do I resize them?

 

[DarrellC]

View attachment 227603

I think I figured it out?

 

[Crimea_River]

Sure did.