Rotary trimmers for plastic?

[Machinepriest]

I'm working on some scratchbuilt tiny Necron Scarabs and I need to cut very small strips of plasticard to make the legs.
I'm not getting very consistent results with a ruler and scalpel so I thought I'd browse the ol' google for some tools to help me out.
I stumbled upon rotary tools for which I think could work as some brands are said to handle plastic as well as paper.



So I was wondering if anyone here have tried using tools like these with plastic sheets?

Thanks.

[GomezAddams]

Why not use styrene strip?

[biggreengribbly]

I have similar woes with my own abilities to cut plasticard, and have been rummaging for options. I have heard things about http://www.ema-models.co.uk/index.ph...hopper-ii.html this little chappy. But the price point is, for my wallet at least, a shade prohibitive.

[Apologist]

I'd suggest you search for craft punches. These are available in most craft stores, very affordable, and will happily handle plasticard. Best of all, they come in a huge variety of shapes, patterns and images, so with some careful use you'll quickly find a way to produce pretty much any shape you need – and crucially, be able to mass replicate it.

[Orcdom]

there is a pair of cutters for straight cuts that is called "easy cutter" by Midwest products that is designed for Plasticard and balsawood cutting i have the old smaller set have had them for about 15 years, thier newer set has a larger table on it.

basically its a arrow head shaped flat surface with the pliar part coming down on them as a "very" sharp blade
http://www.midwestproducts.com/store...sy_Cutter.aspx

its a really good item for cutting square and 45 degree cuts for making scenery buildings especially but u can use for alot of things.
Steve

[Tinners]

The chopper/chopper II are great, but can only cut things to a depth of around 2-3 inches.

For thin strips, just buy plasticard strip its a godsend

[biggreengribbly]

The chopper/chopper II are great, but can only cut things to a depth of around 2-3 inches.

For thin strips, just buy plasticard strip its a godsend

"thin strips" as in "thinner than 2-3 inches"? That's looking a darn sight less tempting then...

[Tinners]

Its hard to describe...the Choppers use a razor blade basically, so you can only chop something as long as the blade, you cant slide it a long a sheet of plasticard, etc. So you can cut something very thin, but not very long.

I'd be lost without it however, its an amazing tool.

[biggreengribbly]

Ah right, that makes a Lot more sense.

[Machinepriest]

I bought a rotary trimmer this week which I found out doesn't work so great for cutting thin strips of plasticard.
The plastic gets warped and curly due to the pressure.

Buying plasticard strips isn't really a long term solution as I could really use a standing method of cutting plastic in all manner of shapes.
SO... I believe I have found the right tool.
http://store.scrapbook.com/f-01-0052...s+and+trimmers
This thing has a small triangular blade and not a big round one like a rotary trimmer, so it looks like I can just score the plastic and snap it, and not cut through it and risk warping.

[Tinners]

You should always aim to score and snap anyway, rather than cutting the whole way through. Let us know how it works!

[Orcdom]

what country are u in anyways looking for the rotary, if in the US Midwest products has a huge selection of plasticard strips and one of the most economical brands, u should even be able to get what u want off that site and save cutting it i the first place.

Steve