victor field Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 hi all, I have been trying to find a small CHEAP table saw to cut balsa sheets etc to the required size. I have a slec balsa stripper but nowadays the hands cannot managed to acheive a nice paralell cut. ( its an age thing )!!! Is there anything on the market that will cut up to a 1/4" or even 1/2" thick balsa with a fine blade. Any advise or guidance would be appreciated Thanks all Victor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Biddulph Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Me too Victor, and you are right, it is an age thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luther Oswalt Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 This one is not cheap: http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw1.html?id_mm=1007MM141423 Just a bit more than the new Proxxon top saw. You could get a Proxxon which does not cut a bevel for much less. Sorry that's the best I can do! Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxG Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Not a table saw as such but what about an Exact saw from JML as advertised on the shopping channels. You can apparently set the depth of cut and I think it may have a fence / giude http://www.jmldirect.com/uk/diy/exakt-saw-lite/invt/e08sl40100000001 Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plummet Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Apologies to elderly female relatives emptying eggshells if this is appropriate, but I have had more success with the Master Airscrews balsa stripper than with the SLEC one. **LINK** Plummet p.s. ... and its a bit cheaper! Edited By Plummet on 21/02/2014 16:58:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I don't quite see why you cannot get a parallel cut with a SLEC balsa stripper. The cutter runs in a channel so should cut parallel to the channel. The only remaining thing is to ensure the balsa stays in contact with the channel. If this cannot be done by hand then perhaps a piece of softwood/MDF with a 1/4 batten underneath can be used to push the balsa edge in towards the channel.Then with multiple light cuts and maybe turning the balsa over to cut from the other side as well should work. Maybe buy a new blade - available from SLEC or I think they are a standard Swann Morton blade. (It's the Swann Morton Supatool heavy duty blade type V ) ) Maybe clean the aluminium channel and apply a little silcone polish ( Mr Sheen etc )with a rag to reduce friction.If your hands cannot manage the SLEC cutter would they be safe with a table saw?In my opinion the Exact saw would not cut straight enough on long bits of balsa and anyway it's expensive.Somewhere there is info on using a cheap tile saw on balsa by using a different blade but again there is the safety issue and of course dust problem.Edited By kc on 21/02/2014 17:26:19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor field Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks Luther, yours is a good idea but i prefer the look of the proxxon. I could afford the cheaper one ( £95.00 ), but it says it only cuts 8mm thick. I need the dearer version at the cheaper price! What a surprise. Victor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor field Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 KC hi In short, i like the SLEC but the prob is in the finger joints. It happens when the hair goes white. The medical term is senile incapability!!! I have tried a standard table saw at friends and it is much easier, I just need to come down to a sensible size and price. v Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 An 8mm saw could cut almost twice that depth by reversing the wood and cutting a second cut from the other side.But 95 pounds would buy an awful lot of ready cut balsa....Otherwise enlisting a helper or an 'apprentice aeromodeller' might work.Edited By kc on 21/02/2014 18:17:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luther Oswalt Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Here is one you could make! http://www.gryffinaero.com/models/ffpages/tools/balsastrip/dmstrip.html I will find the super duper one and send next! Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luther Oswalt Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 and here is the super duper version : http://www.a2zcorp.us/store/category.asp?Cguid={8B72C0A8-05D7-4229-9851-57D9045E55C2}&Category=ModelTools:KnivesBladesStripper Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iqon Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 an older hand at designing and making aircraft converted a small electric tile cutter, as far as i remember it worked ok, but i never had a go on it myself.....not sure if he fitted a different wheel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor field Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 hi kc Now you're showing off. why didn't I think "turn it over". At present its a toss up between your idea and Luthers super duper version All this to finish a Sopwith Dove!! I hear knitting is easier but there is problems with takeoff. Victor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SR 71 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I have a Proxxon top saw and i think its the dogs danglies, cut all my strip wood with it, Highly recomend it Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Another vote for the Proxxon....SLEC stripper is ok but no more than that. I suppose it depends on how straight you want the cut to be. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 i use a master air screw stripper . lay sheet and tool on flat surface .. and magic , works brilliant, proxxon saw is over kill for stripping , however i do find it good for cutting my own triangle stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prop Nut Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I agree about the Master Airscrew stripper. I've had consistently good results from mine, for just a few pounds, and the replacement blades are cheap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger graves Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 If you can find one Dremel used to make a 4" table saw I have had one for years truly excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Proxxon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor field Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hi All, Thanks to everybody who replied to my query it was such a good response, thankyou. After much soul searching and grovelling to "she who must be obeyed ", it looks like the choice is the Proxxon 230. now there is no excuse for not finishing off the Dove. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMG Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hi Victor, let us know how you got on (or not) with your final choice. I have a feeling that it may be something that I will need to address in a few years! Edited By MMG on 24/02/2014 19:16:31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luther Oswalt Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Victor ... How did things turn out? What did you decide to do? Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor field Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hi Leo Decision was made.. I settled for the Proxxon But you know how the gods like to laugh at us humans!!! Well they decided to blow the central heating up the night before purchase, so you know where the money went !! However, I bought one of the Master Airscrews instead to get me out of trouble and found I could cut more accurate strips with it than with the SLEC. The Proxxon is still on the shopping list as it will have other uses for me. Victor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luther Oswalt Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hi Victor, Man ... Sorry about the Heating system ... I use the Master Air Screw and was surprised to see both how easy it worked and how well the strips turned out! I am an retired Engineer. Have considered building mini rip saw but decided there was no real need for one. What I want, but the coins are not there for, is a CAMaster I CNC Router! Glad all worked out for you! Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMG Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Me too! Also now looking for a strip cutter for the lad, so the choice of Master also helps me. Leo, I had the use of cnc vinyl cutters, not to mention a cnc router and masses of common items such as milling machines, several sizes of bandsaw, metal turning lathes, brazing hearth, soldering station with fume extraction and a metre wide laser cutter to boot; plus a dedicated technician to help! Needless to say they all came in useful! Ah, those were the days. Edited By MMG on 15/03/2014 22:13:11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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