Stevo Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Hello to all.The time-honoured method of cutting hinge slots seems quite archaic to me; we centre the line onthe spar/ control surface, and then dig it out using what looks like a tool employed by a badly trained dentist. Then hope the hinge fits! We would have more luck using a trenching tool.Is there anything else we can do here or am I not alone? I see Great Planes make a "Slot Machine" but Ive spent 2Hrs on the WWW looking for one in the UK - and finding nothing!Any help appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakMad Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Steve, The slot machine is not available this side of the pond as Great Planes only make a 110 volt version for the US. You could buy off Tower Hobbies in the US and buy a voltage step down here like I did, well worth the investment. I would never go back to the "Dentist" method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted April 30, 2007 Author Share Posted April 30, 2007 Thanks Roy,Pretty much as I thought! What a pity they are not available over here. I'll investigate Tower Hobbies, 240/110 step down transformer no problem!Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myron Beaumont Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 For goodness sake cut the end off a junior hacksaw blade (preferably at an angle) & follow up a knife cut done by marking out & eyeballing. I cant understand whatever happened to modelling when you're brainwashed into buying a tool for absolutely every part of the building/construction of "your" creation.Use your intuition ,get into the swing of enjoying the hobby as it started out & still continues in some quarters- or take up leggo . Balsaman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 Thanks for that. Ive been building guitars for a number of years now so my standards are set quite high - if there is a tool or jig to do the job for me and increase accuracy then I will use one to get the job done. I do enjoy the hobby very much particularly when my results are right on the money! I did however ponder on the hacksaw blade though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 I just use an x-acto knife. Slot it in one way, then the turn it over and do it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Hallam Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Hey Steve I've built a couple of Guitars also. I used to frequent luthierforum.comSmall world hey..garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dearden Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Just how big ARE these hinges for goodness sake? All the ones I've used over the years (40+) are about as thick as the average Stanley blade anyway so only require a knife cut and a gentle push in with a bit of glue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Hallam Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 A stanley blade is my tool of choice too. I work out the width required, mark it out centrally to the blade and then place it in the vice at the lines and use a block of wood and a hammer to snap at the line. cover with a cloth to prevent injury from flying blades! I then work out the height it needs to be off the workboard surface (centre of the piece to be slotted minus half the blade thickness) make a wooden base and glue and clamp the blade making a sort of chisel that is simply pushed in whilst wriggling side to side. Hold a piece of wood flat on top of the piece being slotted to stop it swelling too much. You could incidentally follow on with a similar but blunted tool afterwards for an even more accurate result. then after inserting the hinges sand the high spots level. Perfect everytime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 Hey!Thanks to all for the tips, these hinges are very small to someone with stubby fingers; Like Garry I enjoy the building and my 11yo does the flying. .. see www.sjarman.co.uk.Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myron Beaumont Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Steve Myron here again .What a small world !I was a guitarist (not strummer) for 35 years until recently cos of health & also manufactured an acoustic based on a Martin & a Balaliaka based on model boat building .D'ont laugh! the back is made of 4 pieces (hard chine shape )Sorry guys for drifting off thread . Any way it seems as if most modellers have their own technique they've evolved for various types of hinges .I now use Mylar a lot (forget the hacksaw blade for these just a carefull cut will do before roughing up each end of this amazing "plastic" & dribbling in some Very thin cyano.Any dribbles I remove with Pacer 7-7 debonder.I actually use a very thin pointed knife to start the slot inthe middle of the intended position Eyeball it from both directions ,push it right in then use a bigger tool after when I have a guide to help me get the position perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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