Secret scratchbuilding weapon

[Catt]

Here's a pic of my favorite scratchbuilding weapon.Do you know what it is?

Give up? It's a nibler,it is used to make whole in control panels(metal) to install switches and lights and meters.It also works in styrene to cut out door ways and windows.

I use this to cut out doorways and windows in any scale I'm working in (as long as the opening is larger than a 1/4".

I bought this one from Radio Shack but I understand that Micro-Mark also has them.In fact any store that sells electronics supplies should have them for under 10 bucks.

 

[farmer ron]

Fabilous tool, have used mine for years with excellant results, one of those tool that you wonder how you did with out it. Ron..

 

[jon-monon]

gotta coupla dem in differnt sizes and a alectruck one dat will eat a fender off a old chevy, no joke.

Catt why dontcha put it the sticky, so it lives on and on and on for all to see???

 

[Wyomingite]

Thanks Catt, I need to get one of those. Ton

 

[Drew1125]

Cool!
And to think I've been punchin' & filin' those little holes for all this time!
I'm gonna have to see about gettin' one o' them!
Thanks ol' buddy!

 

[jon-monon]

Charlie, those babies bit out a perfect square hole, if you haven't used one, you won't believe it. The only burr you'll get is if you bite out two side by side to get a wider hole, if you don't line it up well. Then you'd just get a lil burr to file off, no biggie. The big one I have does about 1/8 X 1/4 " hole.

 

[Matthyro]

How come I didn't think of this. Will have to get one too as soon as this crappy freezing rain stops. No weather break until Sunday I hear. Good tip Catt

 

[Catt]

Gonna put the origonal post in the sticky as suggested.

Robin ,the weather here is pure #%$@%$^&^$%#$%$.Our front porch and steps are covered with ice.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Catt, I agree, that is one of the most usefull tools when scratch building. Also in my tool weaponry is a variety of paper punches. Pick them up in my local craft store, usually in the section for scrapbooking. Here pictured are the ones I've collected and used. The sheet of white styrene pictured is .032" thick, and the punches go through it with no difficulty. Have to nurse the punch back out a little as the plastic kind of closes in on the punch. 1/32 is about the maximum for these type of punches, I've punched thicker but did mess up my 1/4 " square one trying to punch .04". Oh and don't forget to save the little punched pieces, they make great detail parts, especially the square jobbies.

 

[Catt]

Hey Bill,how about posting this in the sticky?

 

[Lighthorseman]

Man, Oh Man...The great ideas just flow like who-knows-what around here. Thanks VERY much to Catt and Bill for those great tips. I'll be out looking for some of those babies before too long.

Do "nibblers" make square corners? My biggest problem is a complete inability to create square door and window openings.

Thanks, guys!