fprintf

Besides a very sharp knife, is there a special technique for cutting across the grain of balsa wood?

I use a brand new #11 blade and it seems like I end up crushing the wood more often than cleanly slicing through it. If I really take my time and take 5 or 6 very light passes over the wood I might be able to get a good cut without any crushing. So am I missing some basic technique here?

Thanks!

blvdbuzzard

If you are trying to cut across a sheet then I just cut along a straight edge about half way through the balsa and then lift, it will break along the straight edge. If it is a stick I use a Chopper. It is a tool that holds a single edged razor blade and does a very nice job of cutting pieces to length.



Dru.

CafeenMan

Lots of small cuts instead of trying to go through it in one shot. Also, to reduce tear out, either cut slowly or cut from both ends of the cut to the middle. I like single edge razor blades better than #11 blades.

cknaack

My Feedback: (1)

Zona and Xacto razor saws work well for me. Typically, they are long enough to saw across a 3" balsa sheet. I then square up the ends with a miter sander.

Jimmbbo

A razor saw (or coping saw or jewler's saw) will cut cleanly cross grain in any piece that is too large or thick for a blade...

Jim

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Like Caffeen said, you are doing it right, you just didn't know it. Several shallow cuts (Or use a razor saw).

fprintf

Thanks everyone for the advice! I do have a razor saw so perhaps I will try that. I bought a box of 100 single edge razor blades and I love them for cutting monokote and foam but never thought about them, perhaps due to the lack of a real handle, for work on balsa.

J_R

Check in the wallpaper department at Home Depot, or Lowes for a wallpaper cutting knife. It holds the razor blades. Cost 2 or 3 bucks.

I like a razor saw best for what you are doing, but razor blades are thinner and work better than hobby knife blades in this case.

Rodney

Use the razorsaw. You will find that the Zona razor saw is far superior to the Xacto brand. Get the one with the highest number of teeth per inch, there are two versions.

M Gill

The technique you are missing is patience.

You are already doing is right with several shallow passes.

Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works
http://www.theaeroplaneworks.com