cutting out the gunports

[ronald305]

Hello there 

   I am in the process of cutting out the second level of gun ports on my model space Victory and found that  the x-actor blades are not cutting to good even being new the instruction say to cut diagonally  to the center hole and dig out the rest and to leave enough wood to sand to the right dimensions which would be 12mm X12mm,  but it is taking way to long my question is there any super sharp blades that would cut thought balsa or what ever the planks are made of to fit a #11 handle 

 will scalpel blades work better I know they are extremely sharp any suggestions  would be fine thank you 

                                                     Ronald 

[mtaylor]

Other than to open each port while planking, the only other way I've seen or heard about is to use a Dremel (or similar) with a small bit and drill the opening by making a lot (the more the better) of holes just to the inside of the port.  Then use your knife, small saw to shape the port.  It is a time consuming process but not nearly as bad as tying ratlines.  .   

[Jim Rogers]

Use a Dremel and a burr or cutting wheel trim up with #11.

[ronald305]

Ok thanks  

[GrandpaPhil]

3 hours ago, mtaylor said:

Other than to open each port while planking, the only other way I've seen or heard about is to use a Dremel (or similar) with a small bit and drill the opening by making a lot (the more the better) of holes just to the inside of the port.  Then use your knife, small saw to shape the port.  It is a time consuming process but not nearly as bad as tying ratlines.  .   

This is my method, too.  It works well.  Just take your time and cut carefully.

Edited November 25, 2018 by GrandpaPhil
Added picture, clarified

[ronald305]

yes  I saw the post and it is a good idea if I can find that bit I will try it, but I also drill a few small holes under the main dimensions as well thank you 

                           Ronald 

[vossiewulf]

The best solution because you use it everywhere is a better option than X-Acto. That's a real knife with an Rockwell hardness of 62+ and proper sharpening stones and then you have something that can be made much sharper than X-Acto blades and it will hold that edge orders of magnitude longer. And sharpening blades is neither that difficult nor very time-consuming once you get the hang of it. Pick up a copy of The Perfect Edge by Ron Hock if you don't already know how to sharpen things. And then go to his store and buy a good detail knife, in my opinion he makes the best blades outside Japan.

[ronald305]

how do I find his store are you talking about a drill bit or a special knife 

                                

[toms10]

Ronald,

Here are some toothed blades that will fit an exacto handle.

www.hobbylinc.com/zona-33-replacement-blades-5-hobby-and-model-knife-blade-39-925

 

Here is a small hand saber saw that might also work.

www.hobbylinc.com/zona-saber-saw-set-hobby-razor-saw-35-450

Tom

Edited November 29, 2018 by toms10

[ronald305]

the blades 39-925 you mention Tom I already ordered them from micro-marks  LOL and also ordered the 1/4 Forstner bit as well 

                            Ronald 

[vossiewulf]

3 hours ago, ronald305 said:

how do I find his store are you talking about a drill bit or a special knife 

                                

http://www.hocktools.com/products/knives.html

 

http://www.hocktools.com/products/perfectedge.html

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sharp-Pebble-Sharpening-Waterstone-Whetstone/dp/B01FZZUL30/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543524111&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=combo+water+stone&psc=1

 

Edited November 29, 2018 by vossiewulf

[ronald305]

thanks for the knife links 

[Dziadeczek]

I use these blades for my Exacto knife, after predrilling holes in the corners of the gunports. It works.

https://www.amazon.com/Zona-39-925-Replacement-Blades-5-Pack/dp/B000MDLFNQ/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000MDLFNQ&pd_rd_r=d4c28335-f423-11e8-a9a4-91dd53fb1641&pd_rd_w=VKgNQ&pd_rd_wg=U6dmQ&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=DQ15ED6JRRFJZ9NNNZ6B&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=DQ15ED6JRRFJZ9NNNZ6B

Edited November 29, 2018 by Dziadeczek