"Cutting Resin?" Topic

Not quite a conversion, but close enough …

I bought some 15mm Flames of War sandbag position for entrenchments. But I don't use bases like FoW, and would like to trim off the lip of resin where you'd put the base.

Any recommendations? I feel like I'd like a very small flexible saw. Can I cut it with a knife? I have a saw, but I'd only feel good about using it on the cuts that go straight from an edge. I wouldn't be able to follow a curve into a concave area.

thanks
andy

I use a jeweler's saw in situations like that. Perfect for cutting curves in something like resin.

As you note, a straight saw is more difficult, but you can use it to make a lot of straight cuts, following the curve. More tedious than the jeweler's saw, and you'd still have to do a lot of follow-up, especially in the concave areas.

I wouldn't recommend a knife, for several reasons. It's as tedious as "nibbling" with a straight saw, and a lot of resins are so brittle that they're hard to cut smoothly with a knife, without breaking off pieces.

A Dremel or similar with a cutting head will work well, too.

And I always wear a mask when I cut or sand resin, usually out on my deck, not indoors. Resin dust is nasty stuff.

Yea, a jeweler's saw, or a hobby "razor saw" would work.

Wear a dust mask, as mentioned, and eye protection too, since it can get in your lungs, and is toxic. My guess is it doesn't come out easily, if ever, either.

Wet-sawing would be the way to go, in order to keep the dust down, e.g. in a shallow tub, or bowl filled with water.

Then dry, and oil your blade well, afterwards.

I forgot to mention the wet-sawing, thanks, Mako11. Same with wet-sanding.

Just so you know, a clipper snaps the whole thing in half. :)

My son has a little saw, but it isn't nearly sharp enough. I've got a dremel, and maybe I'll try that.

andy

Had to do some light sanding on resin and the dust is truly nasty to inhale. The tiniest amount goes airborne instead of just lying there so heed everyone's advice about masking up even for the smallest job.

You might try going outside and finding a concrete surface (smoother the 'grain' the better) and use it like a giant sanding block to wear down the lip (use a circular motion.)
Oh, and the mask thing would still apply (and you can wash away the dust afterward.)