For cutting steyrene I've read to cut it and then break it apart and all you need to do is sand it right? Well I've tried cutting the Steyrene on a regular table and it slips and I almost cut my finger. Well my question is what do you guys cut the steyrene with? Any tips for cutting it besides what I read?

thanks,
Mike

Armor135
I cut my styrene with scissors for rough cuts then with a new #11 exacto blade. I usually make a few light passes to make a cut. It doesn’t take much to get all the way through. I usually hold the styrene down pretty tightly with my finger to a block of scrap wood, sometimes I’ll clamp it down. But not usually.

If you don't already have one, get a stainless steel straight edge (ruler). Some have cork on the back to help keep it from slipping, but if it doesn't, put masking tape on the bottom to serve the same purpose. A six-inch ruler is the most useful, in my opinion.

There are a number of ways to cut styrene, but this is the way I most often do it: Use a #11 Exacto blade. Flip it over so the sharp edge is away from the surface you are scribing. Drag the tip along the edge of the straight edge, scribing the plastic. You will have to make several passes, making the groove a bit deeper on each pass. After a few passes, you can usually snap off the piece and dress the edge with a bit of sandpaper. You may find that this technique works best with a used #11 blade -- one with the finest part of the tip broken off. I use two Exacto handles -- one with a fresh blade, and one with a "used" blade. I use the "used" blade for scribing and other crude purposes.

Hope this helps.

If the styrene isn't too thick, I've found that sometimes the tools in scrapbook stores are useful. They carry small tools for cutting even the thickest of paper, such as rounding off corners, and other neat little things.

Yep, my metal straightedge or a T square with a #11 blade are all you need. Ditto on making a few light passes and snapping. If you're cutting a really thick piece, a razor saw will come in handy.

Ok thanks, for all the info. I have a pretty good knife I will be able to use. But what about the cutting surfaces? Besides putting in on a table top and other ideas? I'll have to try using the scrap wood, and T-square methods. I dont think the steyerene is too thick so I could use the Exato blade.


tanks,
Mike

If you have any spare tile hanging around, you could use that.

Nic

I do what Folgore does. I use a metal ruler for my strait edge and use a piece of ceramic tile as my cutting board.

Patrick

I normally don't buy kit manufacturer's tools because they jack the price up just to have their name on it. However, there is a possible excpetion. I found that the Tamiya scriber is an excellent tool to scribe and/or cut stryene. It cuts a clean groove and pulls a finer-than-hair scrap of plastic with it. I found the generic version much cheaper at Lowes Home Improvement AFTER I bought Tamiya version. Look for it in the section where they sell plexiglass. It's only $2 and change I think. It's well worth your while. Here is a link to the Tamiya version. Its about halfway down the page item #74015. The generic is white plastic if memory serves.

Alfredo

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/tools/tools.html

For a cutting surface I would recommend a self-healing cutting mat. These have a (usually) green ruberized surface with grid markings. You should be able to find them in model stores or arts & graphic supply stockists.

In the US, WalMart has the self healing mats in the craft section.

Patrick

Got this little tool called a replicator from NWSL put sheet in line up and score then snap is that any help.