Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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!
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!
#2
RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
Dru.
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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
Jim
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
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.
#9
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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.
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RE: Technique for cutting cross grain balsa
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
You are already doing is right with several shallow passes.
Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works
http://www.theaeroplaneworks.com