Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: ChalkLine on September 24, 2024, 10:36:11 AM
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I generally use 1.2mm stock plastic for construction work such as hull sections. I've found that my circle cutters flat out refuse to make an impact on plastic that thick which leads to some undesirable outcomes such as ragged hatches that I have to cover up or fill in.
Does anyone have any nifty tricks on cutting these holes neatly or should I just 'gitgud' as the young fellers are apt to say?
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What kind of device are you using to create your circles?
Not many things can cut through on one pass and usually require that you keep at it for more than a single evolution to get the cut deep enough to then break it out or cut all the way through.
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I’ve used an exacto blade in a drafting compass for larger circles. You have to rotate it around several times to scribe all the way through. Depends on the thickness of course.
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It appears that my compasses are too cheap, I guess I'll have to lash out and buy some proper ones then.
As that guy on the net said; 'buy cheap, buy twice'
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I can’t get much under 2cm with the drafting compass. Smaller than I might suggest a punch and die set. Especially if you are going to use it frequently. This link is just an example.
https://www.seattlefindings.com/Disc-Cutter-14-Round-Punches_p_4697.html?origin=pla&unique_id=4697&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmQe5BqOzt1B4EXahPpEIlVnXVgJ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpi10NjciAMV5TcIBR2hTQnIEAQYDiABEgKlmPD_BwE (https://www.seattlefindings.com/Disc-Cutter-14-Round-Punches_p_4697.html?origin=pla&unique_id=4697&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmQe5BqOzt1B4EXahPpEIlVnXVgJ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpi10NjciAMV5TcIBR2hTQnIEAQYDiABEgKlmPD_BwE)
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The solution will not be cheap but the end result is most certainly worth the price paid:
HyperScale product review: DSPIAE Stepless Adjustment Circular Cutter (https://www.hyperscale.com/2017/reviews/tools/brevecocirclecutterreviewjh_1.htm)
Amazon.com link to purchase the product: DSPIAE MT-C 2.0 Stepless Adjustment Circular Cutter (1mm - 50mm) (https://www.amazon.com/DSPIAE-Stepless-Adjustment-Circular-Cutter/dp/B07MHMNZMZ)
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Looks great but as you say . . . seventy bucks
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Looks great but as you say . . . seventy bucks
There are other options for less money but I was in a hurry and that DSPIAE circle cutter was the last item I had done research on so was easy to bring back up for the information and links.
If you have the time, check eBay and Amazon using "Circle Cutter" as your search term and see what can be had for less money.