Tips for cutting---some tips for you newbies!

**pong17003** · #1 03-12-2013, 11:32 PM

Here are some tips for cutting i found out from building rc planes. Some from mistake and experience

1.If you want your XACTO blade sharp for a bit longer go get some medium to medium-fine grit sandpaper from home depot and sharpen your blade with that.
It works like a charm!

2. Replace your blades often. Unless you stick with 1. Until our blade gets thin.

3. Use a metal straight edge along your cutting edges.

4. When cutting, cut slowly at first towards you, i know you've been taught to always cut away from you, but this have nice cleaner results.

Keep the list going for the community!

**SCEtoAUX** · #2 03-13-2013, 06:00 AM

Something I do to help cut on the line is place the tip of the blade on the line where you want to cut. Move the straight edge up so it is contacting the side of the blade. Visually check the relationship of the straight edge to the cutting line so you can line up the straight edge along the length of the cutting line. Use the blade to check the placement of the straight edge along the entire length of the line. You will become proficient at doing this after a few times. That technique also works with the scoring tool.

Have you ever noticed that a cut sometimes leaves a raised area along the cut? Try to angle the bevel on the blade so it is orientated straight up and down when making the cut.

**tony65** · #3 03-14-2013, 02:11 PM

I managed to pick up a cheap set of diamond whet stones which i find leaves a very keen edge, i found these in our local supermarket

**Zakopious** · #4 03-14-2013, 08:29 PM

I use a cosmetic nail polisher to polish the blade which makes it work better.

Have also used a section of leather belt to strop the blade as was used for straight razors.

**Kevin WS** · #5 03-15-2013, 12:54 AM

An Arkansas whetstone - I have a little one.

When I get the correct angle it is great. But getting the angel and holding it sometimes defeats me a bit!

**hetzer** · #6 03-15-2013, 01:36 AM

Good idea for cutting is using set of smallest available clamps that rest on (metal) ruler and edge of working bench, works every time for me, no movements, no unclean cuts either