Which sort of razor saw is best?

[rickshaw]

I know the old adage about the best being the one appropriate to the job.

I have two old (over 30+ years old in fact) x-acto razor saws but find them a bit large for fiddly little jobs.   What I am after is something which can slot into a scalpel blade holder/modelling knife and doesn't cost the earth.   Any suggestions?

[zenrat]

I have some of the photo etch blades that fit in an exacto knife handle and while they work OK at first I always forget about letting the blade do the work and push too hard kinking the blade.
And of course once kinked it becomes hard to cut straight.
Ideally i'd like something the size, shape and rigidity of a #11 blade but with teeth.

[PR19_Kit]

IIRC Exacto made something pretty much like that, but as with all things Xacto it only fitted their handles and was thus too thick for anyone else's. (Shades of Dremel....)

I've not used Xacto stuff for decades but that blade may still be available, it tapered toward the tip and was maybe 2.5" - 3" long.

[63cpe]

I've the etched metal razor saw blades but they're a tad thin to fit the x-acto handle. So taped tamiya tape around the end where it fits the handle.
Think i Haven't used those blades for a long time now as it's just takes too long and is to much work to cut parts. My mother in law gave me a cordless dremel couple of years ago and that was the quantum leap as it has a very thin (< 1mm) cutting wheel. Much faster and very accurate!

[zenrat]

The PE saw blades I have fold to give a double thickness of metal in the handle.
I will have to look for the Exacto ones.

[NARSES2]

I got a great one from Little Cars a couple of years ago which was a wooden handle with a changeable blade that was basically a razor blade with teeth cut into it. Mine is now down to the last blade and I don't think Little Cars do them now  I know it was Czech made and I know that's no help.

Trumpeter do this one - http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/hobby-mini-razor-saw-23658-p.asp

I'll be looking for one a Telford so if I find one I'll get the details for you

[dogsbody]

I've mounted a Czech Masters saw blade into an Xacto handle. It's not a #11 size handle, but is a larger size. It works quite well as long as you let the saw do the work and you don't put too much pressure on it. If I get around to it, I may try to score and snap one of the CMK saws in two lengthwise so I have a narrower saw blade with teeth only on one side.




Chris

[Thorvic]

I got a great one from Little Cars a couple of years ago which was a wooden handle with a changeable blade that was basically a razor blade with teeth cut into it. Mine is now down to the last blade and I don't think Little Cars do them now  I know it was Czech made and I know that's no help.

Trumpeter do this one - http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/hobby-mini-razor-saw-23658-p.asp

I'll be looking for one a Telford so if I find one I'll get the details for you

http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/jlc-204-c.asp

Yes they still do it Chris, its the JLC saw and yes I find it great too :-)

[NARSES2]

Well I'll be 

I did look before I posted my comments Geoff and couldn't find it. That's great news as it's a really good tool. I've often wondered if anyone actually bought the anniversary boxing ?

I also have a set of Aeroclub etched blades that I got when I first got back into modelling, never used then though  . Bought loads of things I though were de-riguer back then that I've never used   

[Rick Lowe]

Found some from BuySend in the UK; PE and supposed to fit their version of a Swann Morton #3 handle... they don't fit too well in either their own or the SM handle, but can be used in an X-acto style handle.
Interestingly, they are marked "Airwaves" on the fret...

The CMK blade is great, and I like the idea of cutting it lengthwise - how would you do that without distorting the blade?

[dogsbody]

Found some from BuySend in the UK; PE and supposed to fit their version of a Swann Morton #3 handle... they don't fit too well in either their own or the SM handle, but can be used in an X-acto style handle.
Interestingly, they are marked "Airwaves" on the fret...

The CMK blade is great, and I like the idea of cutting it lengthwise - how would you do that without distorting the blade?

Not sure yet. I've got an old pair of cutters that I'll try to score a line down the centre of the blade then clamp it in my vice and then bend it. Hopefully, I end up with two useable blades.




Chris

[Hobbes]

The CMK blade is great, and I like the idea of cutting it lengthwise - how would you do that without distorting the blade?

Clamp both sides down, and use a Dremel with a cutting wheel.

[63cpe]

I'll second Hobbes! much easier!

[Rick Lowe]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[dogsbody]

Geeze! I should have thought of that too. Ain't getting old  great!


Chris