Tool for trimming chrome foil

[oldman23]

Hi everyone

I know that when you trim your bare metal foil you like to hold the blade as close as you can in

order to control it better.

Allot of modelers just hold the #11 blade with their fingers, I did it that way for years. But my fingers always got tired and sore.

I came up with a better way to hold the blade so your fingers don't get sore and you have better control and feel.

I use some yellow wire nuts for 12 Gauge wire, the kind with the tabs on them.

1st__ Take an old #11 blade mounted in a knife and insert it into the wire nut.

Twist the knife counterclockwise to remove the metal Heli-coil that is used

for the thread inside the wire nut

2nd__ Insert a new blade into the wire nut as far as it will go ( just like you do in your blade handle)

3rd__ pack the wire nut full of silly putty or handy Tac,

Either blue or yellow they both work good

Make sure your blade is centered in the wire nut

4th__ Set it aside to harden a bit. Your all done.

Caution: When your blade is dull use a pair of pliers and pull out the old blade, not your fingers. OUCH!

Pull out the silly putty and put a new bade in and put the silly putty back in.

[my80malibu]

Wow, I have never seen that done before. I think I will try it soon thanks.

[weasel]

BRILLIANT!!!!

[Kaleb]

Just wanted to add something, Not on the cutting part but the chrome foil. What Ive seen at hobby lobby is similiar to what I use in HVAC a little thinner than what I use. A sheet metal supply place will have a roll of "Silver tape" and the thinnest I have seen is Nashua "extreme weather" and instead of paying 4 or 5 bucks for a little you get nearly a lifetime supply for the members here(no kidding) for about 15 if not cheaper(i can get it for 7.50.

Just a side note if anyone is to get this...Do Not Stick it to your lips or any other part of your epidermis. My father put some of the stronger stuff on his lip and it pulled skin.

Edited May 21, 2010 by Kaleb

[el Presidente]

Great idea Ernie, will have to try this. Joshua, if the tape you are talking about is that sticky, seems to me there is a chance of pulling up paint when the excess is removed.

As a Union Tin knocker I use the metal tape alot. It is extremely adherent and sticks real good to skin. I have not used it on model paint but I would be very cautious as I think it would pull the paint off. I saw it used as a brush metal finish for firewalls on hot rods in one of the mags though

[Wayne Buck]

Neat idea! Thanks!

Sometimes if I need something like that, I'll just wrap a few rounds of electrical tape around the back of the blade. I'll have to try that.

[Harry P.]

Ok, kind of clever... but why?

A regular X-acto knife works perfectly well... why the "Rube Goldberg" contraption when a normal blade/handle works just fine? Just wondering, because I've used a normal X-acto knife for many years without any problems...

[High octane]

As a Union Tin knocker I use the metal tape alot. It is extremely adherent and sticks real good to skin. I have not used it on model paint but I would be very cautious as I think it would pull the paint off. I saw it used as a brush metal finish for firewalls on hot rods in one of the mags though

A union Sheet Metal Worker huh? Me too, Local 73 out of Chicago.

[curt raitz]

Ok, kind of clever... but why?

A regular X-acto knife works perfectly well... why the "Rube Goldberg" contraption when a normal blade/handle works just fine? Just wondering, because I've used a normal X-acto knife for many years without any problems...

I agree with Harry...using X-acto knife handle and blade works just fine, although I use a scalpel...the blade lasts a heck of a lot longer

[pharr7226]

Just wanted to add something, Not on the cutting part but the chrome foil. What Ive seen at hobby lobby is similiar to what I use in HVAC a little thinner than what I use. A sheet metal supply place will have a roll of "Silver tape" and the thinnest I have seen is Nashua "extreme weather" and instead of paying 4 or 5 bucks for a little you get nearly a lifetime supply for the members here(no kidding) for about 15 if not cheaper(i can get it for 7.50.

Just a side note if anyone is to get this...Do Not Stick it to your lips or any other part of your epidermis. My father put some of the stronger stuff on his lip and it pulled skin.

Have you had any problems with the adhesive for the Silver tape lifting the paint?

[Kaleb]

Havent put it on paint yet. But the one called "extreme weather" by nashua is thinner and alot less adhesive(why they call it extreme weather Idk). I will test it out and let you know.

No union tin knocker here(anymore) self employed

[oldman23]

Hi Harry, Hi Curt,

I have arthritis in my finger joints and holding the knife is hard to do for me.

I came up with this because I have a hard time controlling the pressure through the knife handle and by getting close to the tip as I can I feel I have more control over the blade. It has worked out quite well for me although some

of you guys that have talent wouldn't find much use in this.

By aligning the blade up with the tabs on the wire nut I know when the blade is straight and I can hold it close without applying pressure and using just my thumb and forefinger to control the blade and make my cuts.

Thanks for the questions.

I hope I answered them