Tony Fry Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Is there a special tool available for cutting the circular holes in wing ribs for servo plug/ paper tubes? I don't have access to a model shop so can't find out any other way. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fats Flyer Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I use copper pipe and sharpen the end and then press and twist it into the balsa to cut the hole....works very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cantwell Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 an old tranny ariel provides a few differant diameter tubes, just sharpen the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Fry Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thank you , thats a few tips! cheers TF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 The sharpening on the copper, or better brass tube, works well. You can actually buy a set of hole cuttering tubes in various sizes - Chris Bott got some I remember - check out his Webbit thread on last years fly in areas. Or if Chris sees this, may be he can comment? BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Carr Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Hi tony, I generally use a stepped drill bit to get the exact hole size I need. Something like this Whichever method, always wise to put some scrap material underneath when drilling to help stop the otherside tearing. Craig Edited By Craig Carr on 02/06/2012 17:57:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben B Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I also use a brass tube. Good tip for cutting brass tubes- use a scalpel or stanley knife. Just put the knife across the tube and roll it backwards and forwards, if you keep to the same place on the tube it cuts through nicely and the bevelled edge on the blade makes quite a sharp edge on the tube for cutting balsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plummet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Another possibility:- You can get metal circular pastry cutters from hardware/kitchen shops, or perhaps your kitchen. These can be sharpened with a pit of emery paper, or a permagrit tool. Pad the top surface. If you have to cut a lot of holes you can blister the palm of your hand - and people will not believe how you did it! Plummet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Some time back I bought a set of 'softbore' tools sizes 7mm 16mm 19mm 26mm (I believe other sizes are available) they do the job well. Unfortunately I have lost the reciept and the details of the sopplier but you could try Google Softbore tools. Edited By Mowerman on 02/06/2012 18:52:39 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken Prop Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Softbore tools are stocked by Avicraft and they had a range on display this afternoon when I visited. Not shown on their website, but give them ring and I am sure they will mail you some: 020 8460 0818 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bennett Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I use brass tube, and file some teeth onto the end of it so that it looks like a saw blade. It goes through ply as well as balsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Fry Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thanks for all the replies --great help cheers TF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Black Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 hi I use an old carbon Fishing POLE, (not a rod) there is then a choice between 1/4 " up to probably 2" and anything in between depending on where you cut it. you could possibly get 50 x 6" cutters. I got one from a second hand shop for £2 Be careful, because the cut edge is very sharp. Regards Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Posted by Mowerman on 02/06/2012 18:47:39: Some time back I bought a set of 'softbore' tools sizes 7mm 16mm 19mm 26mm (I believe other sizes are available) they do the job well. Unfortunately I have lost the reciept and the details of the sopplier but you could try Google Softbore tools. Edited By Mowerman on 02/06/2012 18:52:39 Brian Gaskin was the originator of the Softbore tools. Some lower grade, not very sharp tools can be bought at tool stalls or garden centres, It is fairly simple to fabricate a set from various diameters of brass tube, sharpened at one end, as described above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.A. Barry Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 WEll here is my tip:- I needed 40 discs to create dummy cylinders for my Tomtit, albeit 2 different sizes, I needed them to be round and 1/16 thick with a 2nd set 1/8 thick, after many trys and failures, I came up with this.. take an old hole saw cutter, the ones I have had teeth like a crosscut saw, find one that suits the require hole measuring the out side or inside dia. with a #11 modeling blade, epoxy it to the outside or inside of the cutter, making sure that the blade will extend through the balsa before the cutter teeth chomps up ya work place it in your drill stand and feed the cutter slowly down , when the blade goes through the balsa it will spin upwards... there you have a perfect disc with a centre hole, after all is done, break off the epoxy and reuse the blade and cutter.... BUT WATCH YA FINGERS. it will cut through thin ply as well easy he Barry Edited By A.A. Barry on 02/06/2012 23:45:49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 The brass tube/old aeriel idea works best for me but 1 tip. Sharpen the cutting edge from the INSIDE of the tube so the blade is the Full diameter of the tube. More important if there's any real thickness to the wall of the tube. That way the wood won't split if you push it right through. Not so much a problem on thicker wood but a real problem when I cut holes in thin, small ribs before I sharpened my cutters that way Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Fry Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Thanks again for all the tips, very helpful cheers TF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.