| wardog | 05 Jun 2022 11:52 a.m. PST |
on another thread someone mentioned cutting matchsticks with a craft matchstick cutter (2mm armies scratch building thread)
great for cutting across the matchstick ,but how do you cut matchstick accurately lengthwise |
nnascati  | 05 Jun 2022 6:52 p.m. PST |
Mark it with a pencil and use a scissors? |
| DyeHard | 05 Jun 2022 9:04 p.m. PST |
As matchstick building is a hobby of its own. You will find not only How-To guides but specialty tools:
link
link
But for repeatable cuts, model railroad folks makes some nice tools:
nwsl.com/collections/choppers
|
| Dagwood | 06 Jun 2022 8:29 a.m. PST |
I would use a strip of 1mm balsa wood instead. |
| Andrew Walters | 06 Jun 2022 9:42 a.m. PST |
Cut it a little long and then use sandpaper or a dollar-store emery board to get a square end of the precise length. If that sounds like it takes too much time, it doesn't. You can make the initial cut much pre quickly, and two swipes is usually enough to get good results. |
| BTCTerrainman | 06 Jun 2022 4:11 p.m. PST |
With so much scale basswood lumber available, why would you even consider trying to cut match sticks? |
| DyeHard | 07 Jun 2022 6:39 a.m. PST |
Well, it is hard to beat the price:
auction |
| Dagwood | 07 Jun 2022 8:26 a.m. PST |
Most of the comments are about cutting across the matchstick, not along the length as the poster requested. Maybe put the matchstick into a matchstick-sized trough of some kind, then use a safety razor blade (only one edge, the other edge with a thicker metal rim attached). Perhaps it could be carefully aligned before pressing downwards. Personally I would not try to cut a matchstick at all but would cut a thin sliver of thin balsa or basswood. |
| DyeHard | 08 Jun 2022 11:36 a.m. PST |
OK, I blame myself. I skimmed the question and thought it wanted accurate lengths not splitting the matchstick. This is a real pain as the wood has very strong grain. Splitting rough bits is OK, but cutting a plank of anything like consistent dimensions is hard with this wood. Sanding down would be better. That said, there are lots of tools.
The best, and most expensive is a purfling cutter.
Like: link
Next would be a leather strip cutter: link
More in the modeling world are: link
Printable thing like:
link
Basically a rail with a blade. But again, not easy with match sticks. |
| Elenderil | 08 Jun 2022 12:26 p.m. PST |
If I were making my home made 2mm blocks again I would seriously think about laser cut MDF. |
| Melkior | 29 Nov 2023 3:58 a.m. PST |
using pruning shears to cut matchsticks is the best way i have found as they are designed to not to crush when cutting, I have used various cutting machines and although they cut well they are far too slow |
