"Cutting a groove through plasticard" Topic

Does somebody know the best way to cut a small groove trough plasticard without having to cut through it in some way.

IE how to make a rectangular hole in plasticard ???

If I'm making a straight sided hole in plasticard I usually drill a very small hole at the corners of the shape then cut between the holes.

I'm not sure if this is what you wanted as (perhaps because of my dyslexia) your question does not read well.

x42

I use an old steel dental pick to do the job as for me the groove shape/depth is usually not critical.

What you after is correctly called a "scribe" and there are sets of them for sale at specialist plastic model sites. They come in various shape tips and sizes.
Don't forget a good steel ruler/straight edge too.
Metal scribes will destroy wood or plastic rulers very quickly.

I use the back of a small x-acto blade sized saw or the back of an xacto blade. Use a straightedge, go slowly and scrape the tool across the top of the plastic. A thin string of plastic will pull up and you'' leave a shallow groove behind. Each pass will get deeper, keep going until you're through the plastic.

I agree with the suggestions above --especially drilling holes where the groove will end (or the corners if size makes it applicable) to help when scribing/removing the material.

A few details may help guide the advice…
-thickness of styrene sheet (it is styrene, right?)?
-size of groove?…length, width, and depth.

To cut an actual groove, this scriner tool is indispensible, along with a steel ruler (I use a carpenter's square, but you can just get one from a school supply place):

link

I disn't do a big search, but I imagine hobby stores specializing in plastic models in Belgium should have this or the equivalent.

The advice on drilling holes is excellent if you don't want to cut past the actual rectangular opening. For a rectangle, I'd use the scriber at first and then have at it with a #11 blade.

Some folks, instead of using the scribe tool, will turn their #11 blade upside down to run it across the desired line multiple times to wear the groove first.
--
Tim

I have a Tamiya tool that is great. It looks like a hook, but it cuts well and leave less of a lip.

Mine is less advanced than this
link
but this one has changeable blades.

The tool also works well for scraping mold lines.