is this a good tool to cut a long wheel base pickup into a short wheel base

[youpey]

is this a good tool to cut a long wheel base pickup into a short wheel base? is there something that is inexpensive that is better?

https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Hand-12-Inch-Hacksaw-CMHT20138/dp/B07R92S9YZ/ref=sxin_9_ac_d_mf_rm?ac_md=0-0-aGFja3Nhdw%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&cv_ct_cx=hacksaw&dchild=1&keywords=hacksaw&pd_rd_i=B07R92S9YZ&pd_rd_r=555bc344-2d27-4cc4-9ce4-a5f2dcce1ac2&pd_rd_w=uLTjJ&pd_rd_wg=Of7Um&pf_rd_p=d00be302-86a9-4ea9-9240-f5ec923e66bc&pf_rd_r=PNS8P3CAZN4EE5E43CRB&psc=1&qid=1624328161&sr=1-1-849f3c3a-785c-4812-aab6-3d7cb06022f2

[Miatatom]

Look for a razor saw at Hobby Lobby.

[NOBLNG]

40 minutes ago, youpey said:

is this a good tool to cut a long wheel base pickup into a short wheel base? is there something that is inexpensive that is better?

Hacksaws are designed to cut metal but will hack just about anything apart.? That one looks like a particularly cheap example. You could use one if that is all you had, but if you have to purchase one…I wouldn’t! These will do a far finer job and a very worthwhile investment if you plan on doing more custom modifications in the future.

Edited June 22, 2021 by NOBLNG

[youpey]

thank you. i ordered a razor saw from exacto.

 

I dont know much about tools.i appreciate the help

Edited June 22, 2021 by youpey

[Fat Brian]

Another type of saw that is super handy to have are these Model Car Garage photo etched saw blades that fit in an Xacto handle. The razor saws are great for long straight cuts but these will get you in the little nooks and crannies. Bonus, they work pretty good as panel line scribers too.

[Dave G.]

Since about 1960 I've done fine with a razor saw like those shown here by others

[Painted Black]

I've had mine for 30 years, still cuts like new.

[Chariots of Fire]

I don't think it matters what you use to cut the frame.  Once cut each piece will have to be trued up by sanding and squaring.  I use a Dremel with a thin carbide cutoff wheel and then clean up edges with a sanding block.  The other important part is making sure that the frame ends up being the same length overall when put back together.  That means some trial and error fitting unless you are able to make perfect cuts in each piece. JMHO!

[Can-Con]

Which truck frame are you planning to shorten Miles?

[youpey]

3 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Which truck frame are you planning to shorten Miles?

I want to do the amt 1978 ford f150. i really love this truck, but would prefer the SWB

[Dave G.]

You can get the X-Acto Razor saw set at Michaels for $13.99, grab a coupon you will get it for about $9 or so. Comes with two blades a wide and narrow. You will have it for the rest of your life. As I mentioned have had mine since the 1960's.

Hobby Lobby has them too, saw them there a couple of weeks ago but didn't see the price, they are usually quite competitive.

[Tom Geiger]

Miles, when you get to cutting, don’t go for an exact measurement. Leave a little bit of extra plastic on each cut. That gives you some material to sand the edges to fit.

[Chariots of Fire]

11 hours ago, Dave G. said:

You can get the X-Acto Razor saw set at Michaels for $13.99, grab a coupon you will get it for about $9 or so. Comes with two blades a wide and narrow. You will have it for the rest of your life. As I mentioned have had mine since the 1960's.

Hobby Lobby has them too, saw them there a couple of weeks ago but didn't see the price, they are usually quite competitive.

Hey, Dave!  We are only about 15 miles from each other!  Ever visit Centerline in Hyannis?

[Muncie]

Miles, one other thing you can do is run a couple of layers of tape along the line to help guide the saw.  I run a piece of tape a on the area to be cut out - works real good if I'm taking out a cut with parallel edges - if I have the right width tape I can get two parallel lines.  Then I put a double layer against both edges and remove the tape over the piece in the middle that I'm cutting out. Ends up with a good guide for the saw with two lines lines and the pieces I'm saving are protected

[youpey]

thank you for the tips. i got the razor saw in today. i was working on my diorama water tonight, so tomorrow i will do the cutting. i will post a picture after im done...whether it is good or not.

[Dave G.]

12 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

Hey, Dave!  We are only about 15 miles from each other!  Ever visit Centerline in Hyannis?

Hi Charles ! I've mostly just picked up single must have items from Centerline but yes I've been there. Years ago back when the kids were still home I bought some HO train items through them.

[youpey]

I made the cut. I used tape to keep it steady and left room to sand. Great tips for sure. Thank you for the help on this

Here is the cut.

Its pretty square too. A little sanding and it should be good.

I used the morbius swb kit to figure where to cut to make it swb. It might not be exactly correct but eyeball version looks good to me

[NOBLNG]

Looks good! Way finer than the hacksaw would do. The width of the blade aids in making a straight cut.?

[youpey]

17 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Looks good! Way finer than the hacksaw would do. The width of the blade aids in making a straight cut.?

thank you. its slightly off. i am going to sand it straight. i just need to find where i put my level. i really need to get organized.

 

i also didnt think about the wrap around on the front. i need to make it out of sheet styrene. I have some really thin styrene so it will be good i think.

[Muncie]

Well done - straight and true.  You're hired!

[Pete J.]

Too late now, but I ditched the exacto blade years ago.  I much prefer the quality of Tamiya's saw.  Slightly larger blade and handle, blade is stiffer with much finer and sharper(mind your fingers) teeth and it cuts on the pull stroke.  The last bit seems to give me much better control.   I love it for chopping tops.  You can easily cut a roof lengthwise with a straight smooth cut. It also slices through delicate parts like roof pillars easily without breaking them. 

  It is available on amazon for $21.  Yes it is about $5 more than the exacto blade, but IMHO well worth the extra.  Although top quality tools will not make your models better, they definitely improve the experience.