New Miter/Chopper Review

[PHPaul]

For years, I have been using this K-Tool miter/chopper to cut plastic and wood.  I have several issues with it:  No repeatability, no reference line for blade position so it's hard to see where you're actually cutting, the single-edge razor blade flexes under even moderate pressure, the method of holding the blade to the handle is sloppy, the angles are approximate and the blade digs into the soft plastic base.   With my increasing desire for accuracy it just wasn't cutting it any more (arrrr...humor!)

I spent quite a bit of time surfing the 'net looking for something better and spotted this unit from Green Stuff World.   Received it today.  I saw several things that attracted me to it:  Price (around $17 plus shipping), the heavy box-cutter type blade, the repeatable method of setting angles, the blade is clearly visible and there are reference lines in the center so you KNOW where you're cutting and the heavier construction (no flexing).

It's made of a laser-cut masonite-like material.  Assembly is required but dead simple and everything fits together well.

A sample 45° cut came out very well.  I was a little concerned about the thickness of the blade but it doesn't seem to be an issue and the lack of flex is VERY welcome.

One of the other things that attracted me was (I thought...) the use of ordinary utility knife blades.  That turns out not to be the case and is really the only downside I can see so far.  I will have to find a source for replacement blades, altho they should last a good long time cutting only soft plastic and thin wood.

EDIT:  Turns out the blades are commonly available, ULine is one source.

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by PHPaul

[deuces wild]

I'm wondering if a company makes TiN coated utility blades so they last longer....?

[PHPaul]

1 hour ago, deuces wild said:

I'm wondering if a company makes TiN coated utility blades so they last longer....?

They are available.  Whether they last longer is anyone's guess.

[peteski]

Special blades? No repeatability?

Most model railroaders who are into scratchbuilding (including me) for decades have been using the Northwest Short Line "the Chopper".
There are multiple versions available. See https://nwsl.com/products/the-chopper  I used to use the original Chopper but several years ago I upgraded to the Chopper II.

Yours seems to use a rather thick box-cutter type blade. All choppers use SERBs (Single Edge Razor Blades), which are much thinner than box-cutter blades (give you more controllable cut), and are available everywhere.  I highly recommend the Chopper.

Edited November 14, 2024 by peteski

[rattle can man]

I have the Chopper, and I find it does not do well on thicker materials (square, rectangle, round, etc.) and crushes tubes. The blade flexes, so you don't always get a straight cut on anything other than flat stock. 

[dragsterguy]

Looks like a good product but they want my email password? Uh, nope/I'll pass.

[peteski]

46 minutes ago, rattle can man said:

I have the Chopper, and I find it does not do well on thicker materials (square, rectangle, round, etc.) and crushes tubes. The blade flexes, so you don't always get a straight cut on anything other than flat stock. 

It is not meant for thick materials.  Even the choppers using thicker blades will not give you a square cut. The wedge-shape blade will create a sloping cut, and any type of guillotine type chopper will also crush the materials which chopper crushes.  You need to use right tool for the job. For those you need to use a miter box with a razor saw. I have Zona brand miter box and razor saws. 

[rattle can man]

yes, after the first try with tubing and rod , I switched to using a saw after l used the chopper to make a slight indent to guide the saw. But I still would like something with a less flexible blade.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, rattle can man said:

yes, after the first try with tubing and rod , I switched to using a saw after l used the chopper to make a slight indent to guide the saw. But I still would like something with a less flexible blade.

The problem is that in order for less flex in the blade, it needs to be thicker.  And that again causes a problem in thicker material with deflection on both sides of the cut.  It would not result in a flat cut perpendicular to the sides.  As the blade enters the material being cut, the blade has to displace the material from the space where the blade is plunging in.  That is why with thicker materials you need some cutting tool which removes (rather than pushes away) the material taken up by the blade. Razor saw does that.

Edited November 13, 2024 by peteski

[Bugatti Fan]

Besides the new angle cutting toois being discussed, I cought a glimpse of an Xacto flat try square being used.

The Xacto square looks like a good bit of kit too. I have engineers squares  but the Xacto flat one would make a lot of jobs easier than using a conventional engineers square.

Bosco mentioned that the company making that special tool was asking for his Email password and he sensibly gave it a miss. Hmmm. Makes you wonder why they were asking for it?  Scam maybe or something more sinister?

Edited November 14, 2024 by Bugatti Fan

[NOBLNG]

I have a cheap aluminum mitre box. The slot is a LOT wider than my razor saw, so I have to hold the blade against one side with my finger while cutting in order to get a decent cut. Even then, I use a piece of square bar with sandpaper attached, against the end of the mitre box, to square up any cuts that need to be perfect.

[Chariots of Fire]

I also have the Chopper by NWSL.  Had the version that Peteski shows but gave it to a fellow modeler who had none.  I kept the original one that has a masonite base and uses a single edge razor blade.  I use it all the time for cutting small stock.  When needing repetitive pieces the same length it is indispensable.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, Chariots of Fire said:

I also have the Chopper by NWSL.  Had the version that Peteski shows but gave it to a fellow modeler who had none.  I kept the original one that has a masonite base and uses a single edge razor blade.  I use it all the time for cutting small stock.  When needing repetitive pieces the same length it is indispensable.

Charlie, both choppers use single edge razors.  I wonder why you "downgraded" to the original Chopper.

I should also mention that Northwest Short Line also makes a true sander to square off cuts made on the chopper or razor saw. 
https://nwsl.com/collections/true-sander

They also offer a variety of other useful modeling tools. check out their website. They are a small company which changed hands some time ago and the new owners are still redoing the website, so some of it is unfinished. But they have been around for decades and are solid company.

https://nwsl.com/

 

[R. Thorne]

10 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

I have a cheap aluminum mitre box. The slot is a LOT wider than my razor saw, so I have to hold the blade against one side with my finger while cutting in order to get a decent cut. Even then, I use a piece of square bar with sandpaper attached, against the end of the mitre box, to square up any cuts that need to be perfect.

You might consider one of the thin slot miter boxes.  This one comes with a saw.

[Chariots of Fire]

Hi, Peter.  I had two to choose from and decided to give away the better one.  But honestly, for what I do?  The older one works just fine.

[rattle can man]

I'm thinking of ordering one. Opened the link and it did not ask for any information until checkout. When you check out, they make you create an account ( enter your email and create a password for their site) just like many other retail sites.

[Mattilacken]

I have this cutter and it works good so far, i just cant figure out how to use it with the angles and support on the right. 

[Bugatti Fan]

Paul, is that Xacto flat square of hours a current item?

it does not appear on the Xacto website.

[PHPaul]

On 11/19/2024 at 3:47 PM, Bugatti Fan said:

Paul, is that Xacto flat square of hours a current item?

it does not appear on the Xacto website.

I've had it quite a long time, possibly since the 1980's when I got into HO model railroading.  I'll look around and see what I can find on it.

[PHPaul]

I looked it up under the X-Acto part number 7726 and found a couple of on-line sources for it, including Amazon.

[Bugatti Fan]

Thanks for coming back on the Ex-Acto square Paul, and for looking out the part number and possible  sources for me.

The part number will be of great help.  I managed to find a couple of flat squares over here on a UK tool supplier's website, but they did not have any measurement scales etched on them like your Ex-Acto square has.

I'll be able to do some more proactive searches now with the information you have kindly shared with me. Thanks again for taking the time to look out the information for me.

Kind regards

Noel

 

 

 

[PHPaul]

You're welcome Noel, glad I could help.

[Bainford]

On 11/19/2024 at 4:47 PM, Bugatti Fan said:

Paul, is that Xacto flat square of hours a current item?

it does not appear on the Xacto website.

Saw this today at the hobby shop, if it's any help. 

[Bugatti Fan]

Thanks for the heads up Trevor.

I will have to look and see if the Zona one available from someone in the UK.