"Recommendation for cutting tool?" Topic

I have a bunch of CD cases, and it seems a waste to just toss them. However, I'm not sure how well they'll cut with an Xacto blade and was wondering in the assembled community of builders here if there were any tool recommendations or lessons learned regarding using the hard plastic in scratchbuilding.

Thanks.

JJ

Razor saw, maybe?

Doug

Stanley knife. Score and snap.

Personally, though, I wouldn't use them for scratchbuilding. There are far easier materials around.

As above – score and snap. You can use the back of the blade instead also.

Cheers, Richard

There are far easier materials around.

I agree, but it just seems like a waste to toss 'em. Thanks for the Stanley knife suggestion. I assume you are referring to one of these?

link

JJ

I use a snap blade knife. Cheaper than Xacto. Takes a few passes, but it'll work. There are easier materials around, but I'm cheap.

A Dremel with the rotary cutting tool should make short work of them.

Make sure to wear eye protection, since occasionally the cutting blades shatter. Buy the heavy duty cutoff blades, since they are a lot more robust, so worth the extra money, and work slowly, letting the blade do the cutting.

"Dremel with the rotary cutting tool" will melt the plastic and clog the cutting tool.
Razor saw or Stanley

Not a good material to use a knife on – has a tendency to shatter when stressed. A hand saw is better.

To be honest it is a pretty lousy modelling material, far better to toss it and save yourself time and trouble by using Plasticard.

Personally I rate my time as higher in value than a few sheets of better stuff.

Personally I rate my time as higher in value than a few sheets of better stuff.

That may end up being the driver… they just look so useable!

JJ

Use straight edge and score a couple of times, both sides if need be. Low speed cutting tool, Dremel or fine tooth hand saw. To me free is a good thing, I always say my time doesn't cost me anything. I carved some 15mm cannon carrages from balsa and thought it was fun.

Break out the Stan…..

Unless you are making windows where transparency and some strength are needed, I'd toss them. They are a PITA to work with and they easily split, crack or break in places opposite of the direction you want them to or would like them to break.

If you are going to use a cutting tool, a Scroll Saw with a very thin kerf blade is probably best – like this: link

Taking it just a tad further, I recycled some broken bits of one CD case to use the broken shards as 28mm urban wall/plate damage/broken sheet glass. Smash one up and see what you end up with – but like Mako11 says, wear eye protection!