How long do your Zona's last

[STYRENE-SURFER]

I can't do without these but jeez they seem to get dull fast.

Got four or five of them that just don't cut like new.

I guess I could just plan on a new one every project.

Or maybe there is a better saw???

[russosborne]

What all do you cut with them?

I have one, but only use it sparingly on plastic, nothing else. Sparingly because I don't build much lately.

Russ

[STYRENE-SURFER]

I have several because I use them on different media.

Plastic (styrene) and also metals (aluminum) and some others like (Fiber-glass, carbon fiber.)

I don't expect them to last at all while cutting metal or carbon fiber but the saws that I

have sett away for plastic only dull very quickly.

[Ace-Garageguy]

You're right about them getting dull fast on composite materials, but I've got a couple of X-acto razor saw blades I've been using for years on plastic that still cut...maybe not as fast as new, but they are still viable tools.

The harder photo-etched blades seem to last well, but I haven't seen them in the long razor-saw lengths.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

Ace...

Photo-etched blades look interesting. 

Can you provide a link?

[Harry Joy]

I like my Zona sprue cutters immensely, and stopped using other brands ages ago. My only issue is that as one of my most used tools, they do wear out, and finding new ones is never easy. My LHS keeps them in stock, but the slim nosed ones are always harder to get.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Ace...

Photo-etched blades look interesting. 

Can you provide a link?

Certainly.      http://www.hobbylinc.com/model-car-garage-085-stainless-steel-photo-etch-saw-blades-plastic-model-accessory-1:24-1:25-scale-2238

EDIT: I don't know what the .085 is supposed to refer to in the listing.

These things mike at .008", and regular X-acto saws come in at around .013".   

                    EDIT 2: Ebay has 'em

Edited March 16, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[STYRENE-SURFER]

Harry, No I'm talking about there saws not sprue cutters.

Ace thanx for the link , have to try those.

[Snake45]

You're right about them getting dull fast on composite materials, but I've got a couple of X-acto razor saw blades I've been using for years on plastic that still cut...maybe not as fast as new, but they are still viable tools.

 

Same here. I have two that are at least a decade old, maybe two or three decades--I forget. I only cut plastic with them. Maybe a little aluminum tubing sometimes.

[blunc]

I like my Zona sprue cutters immensely, and stopped using other brands ages ago. My only issue is that as one of my most used tools, they do wear out, and finding new ones is never easy. My LHS keeps them in stock, but the slim nosed ones are always harder to get.

sprue cutters seem to be the same as "flush cut" plier / shear used in electronics work.

http://www.all-spec.com/products/801-1700.html?gclid=CN20r4CSxMsCFZOCfgod8nsOjg