Cutting small pieces in 1mm mahogany strips

[Victory_Aus]

Hi All,

 

I actually already posted this question but it seems to have disappeared from the forum via a technical glitch.

 

I'm building a 1:150 mamola HMS Victory.

 

There are a series of small "L" shaped pieces that need to be made out of 1mm x 10mm mahogany veneer strip. I'm finding this to be very difficult, not because of the scale, i.e 5-10mm but due to the timber always splitting and falling apart. When by some miracle I get the shape close they crumble to pieces when a whole is drilled into it. I use a small bastard file to shape The piece and understand the concept of using the wood grain to advantage.

 

Can any of the pro's advise how best to do this? It's a bit disheartening when I'm stuck on the first page of the instructions LOL I'm using the scraps of the1mm mahogany threeply as a work around and that seems to do the trick but not as good.

 

Thanks

Jarrod

[mtaylor]

Jarrod,

 

Have you tried drilling the hole first?  Otherwise, lightly glue the piece to piece of sacrificial scrap with PVA.  Drill and cut, and the soak the wood in alcohol to separate them.  Otherwise, buy some better wood.

[UdoK]

Hi Jarrod,

I'am afraid you will not succeed with the mahagony Wood as it has a strong grain.

I would suggest to replace it and give a try to a other Wood sort like pear, walnut or maybe basswood.

[NMBROOK]

Hi Jarrod

 

Another option is to apply thin cyano to the wood.Soaking the timber with this will dramatically reduce the breakages.

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[Victory_Aus]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses.

 

I'm glad the consensus view is mahogany isn't up for the job. It's what I was thinking. I wonder why they use it in the kits for the detail pieces.

 

I'm finding the three ply works well enough and I'll paint it if I find it looks out of place.

 

Thanks again.

[captainbob]

You should always wet any veneer before working with it.  if not it tends to split and crumble.

 

Bob