Body and Chassis cutting?

[SCRWDRVR]

I’ve just recently gotten into modifying some kits doing rebuilds, I’m turning a mustang into a pro street style car but I need to cut the chassis to start. Of course we all know this stuff can be tough to cut with just a razor so I was curious to see what everyone else uses on projects like this to do the cutting.....

[Snake45]

Razor saw. They're not expensive and come in several different sizes. Any good hobby shop should have them. I use mine almost as much as I use my Xacto. 

[Spex84]

I use an x-acto saw with medium teeth for cutting quickly through thick plastic (the miter box is pretty useless though),  x-acto saw blades held between my fingertips for tasks like chopping roof pillars, and occasionally a jeweler's bow-style saw when I need to make curving cuts.

Another method to use in a pinch when saw blades won't fit, is to use a piece of very thin cord with handles tied on either end, and draw the cord back and forth against the plastic until it starts to melt/cut through. This method generally requires a clamp or something to secure the work piece.

[SCRWDRVR]

Awesome, thanks guys. Just ordered these two....

[64SS350]

I also have started using the straight hand saw, but as much as possible I use my Dremel with a thin, fine toothed 3/4" saw blade, then utilize various drum sanders, files , sanding blocks, etc.

[iBorg]

Where did you get a toothed blade for a Dremel. I haven't seen one of those for years.

[64SS350]

A hobby shop  a few years ago

Edited May 19, 2019 by 64SS350

[Snake45]

33 minutes ago, iBorg said:

Where did you get a toothed blade for a Dremel. I haven't seen one of those for years.

Me neither, and I've been looking. I think they discontinued them about 20 years ago. They want you to use the cutoff wheels now. 

[Brutalform]

Another saw I use, and probably could not go with out, is a Micro Mark mini mitre box with saw blades and handle. 

From cutting small pieces of aluminum tubing, to small square styrene, to roll bars, makes it easy and precise. 

Its $16.95 but we’ll worth it. 

[SfanGoch]

1 hour ago, iBorg said:

Where did you get a toothed blade for a Dremel. I haven't seen one of those for years.

 

29 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Me neither, and I've been looking. I think they discontinued them about 20 years ago. They want you to use the cutoff wheels now. 

You haven't looked hard enough or in the right places, gentlemen. I get all kinds of swell stuff from Widget Supply.  Checkevous the Dremel Saw Blades, monsewers.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Check this thread. A hot wire was used for cutting a body. 

 

Edited May 19, 2019 by bobthehobbyguy

[Shambles]

Thanks for the Widget Supply link. Which blade works best for cutting plastic? I've been using a cutoff wheel, but it generates a lot of heat even at low rpm.

[SfanGoch]

I use the Fox Germany fine tooth saw blades @ 10-15,000 rpm.

[64SS350]

[SCRWDRVR]

Wow, awesome info, thanks guys.I'm going to have to get some of those dremel blades

[Dave G.]

What I need is a speed control for my Dremel. It's an old Dremel, good shape but it has the old variable speed box controller and it burned up something inside so now it's wide open or nothing at all ( plug straight into the wall), so I don't use it a whole lot and do most things by hand. I'm thinking maybe a pedal control would be good.

[Snake45]

17 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

 

You haven't looked hard enough or in the right places, gentlemen. I get all kinds of swell stuff from Widget Supply.  Checkevous the Dremel Saw Blades, monsewers.

Very interesting, thanks! I don't actually need it for cutting; I found that the Dremel cutoff saw (used by hand) made a perfect ponce wheel for putting rivets on model airplanes, especially replacing raised rivets removed when joining and sanding fuselage halves and so forth. 

[SfanGoch]

35 minutes ago, Dave G. said:

What I need is a speed control for my Dremel. It's an old Dremel, good shape but it has the old variable speed box controller and it burned up something inside so now it's wide open or nothing at all ( plug straight into the wall), so I don't use it a whole lot and do most things by hand. I'm thinking maybe a pedal control would be good.

Get yerself a Dremel Micro 8050 cordless rotary tool. It can be had for about 72 bucks at Wally World.

[Dave G.]

3 minutes ago, SfanGoch said:

Dremel Micro 8050

Thanks, $71 and change at Amazon on prime.

[ChrisBcritter]

1 hour ago, Dave G. said:

What I need is a speed control for my Dremel.

How about this, for as low as $16.99 including shipping?

https://www.amazon.com/KB-Electronics-8811005-Dial-Control/dp/B0087486N4?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_6#feature-bullets-btf

It plugs into the wall outlet and your drill plugs into the bottom; it's a speed control for large fans. I found it by googling "plug-in rheostat".

Edited May 20, 2019 by ChrisBcritter

[Jantrix]

Also please be safe. Find some sort of safety guard for a cutting wheel.

[Fat Brian]

One thing I didn't see mentioned but I find totally irreplaceable are Model Car Garage photoetch saws. They come in several different shapes and clamp in a #11 Xacto handle. They're super thin do you barely lose any material in the cut.

[Dave G.]

1 hour ago, ChrisBcritter said:

How about this, for as low as $16.99 including shipping?

It plugs into the wall outlet and your drill plugs into the bottom; it's a speed control for large fans. I found it by googling "plug-in rheostat".

Can't knock the price for sure !

[gotnitro?]

21 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

One thing I didn't see mentioned but I find totally irreplaceable are Model Car Garage photoetch saws. They come in several different shapes and clamp in a #11 Xacto handle. They're super thin do you barely lose any material in the cut.

Like hot knife thru butter ! Love mine 

[Roncla]

Acu-Stion make a cutting tool set in 0.1 photo etch. The circular  cutters  work with my Dremel a treat and being so fine they cut a very fine line.

https://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/shop/acucut01-acustion-0-1mm-cutting-tools-set.html