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Old 10-31-2022, 10:23 AM
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Cutting that perfect circle

Hey folks, had the best time at the convention in Virginia this past Saturday. I posted some photos on Facebook and I'll post some more here.

I am a WW1 plane guy and have to cut out round things of various sizes often. Is there a tool out there that can simplify this task? I recently splurged and picked up a compass for $2 and now I can draw perfect circles.

What about a sticky about tools of the trade?
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Old 10-31-2022, 01:29 PM
twg48 twg48 is offline
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The Best Circle Cutter

Check this out AT AMAZON NT CIRCLE CUTTER C-1500. I've been using this circle cutter for several years and it is as close to the "best" I've found. It does have a few quirks, however, it is made from plastic and DON'T over tighten the center nut as over time will cause the center threaded piece to break. The blade point also has a tendency to break off at the very tip so don't go too deep with the first couple passes.

And like anything in life it takes a few paractice times to get the hang of it!

Last edited by twg48; 10-31-2022 at 01:31 PM. Reason: CORRECTED MISTAKES
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Old 10-31-2022, 02:18 PM
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Check this out AT AMAZON NT CIRCLE CUTTER C-1500. I've been using this circle cutter for several years and it is as close to the "best" I've found. It does have a few quirks, however, it is made from plastic and DON'T over tighten the center nut as over time will cause the center threaded piece to break. The blade point also has a tendency to break off at the very tip so don't go too deep with the first couple passes.

And like anything in life it takes a few paractice times to get the hang of it!
This looks like a good tool although I'll buy somewhere else other than Amazon. Anyone have any tips for tools for cutting out really, really small circles?
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Old 10-31-2022, 02:38 PM
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I use a Japanese book binding punch drill for small circles.
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Old 10-31-2022, 03:10 PM
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I use a Japanese book binding punch drill for small circles.
Do they come in various sizes? I did a search on the web but not sure that I am looking at the same things you are thinking about.
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Old 10-31-2022, 03:38 PM
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Another useful tip I've seen on prop builder's sites is to get various sizes of copper tubing, cut to a comfortable length, and sand the outside edge of one side until it comes to a point. Just pick the appropriate size tube, place over the part, and either push, or tap with a hammer.
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Old 10-31-2022, 03:56 PM
Royaloakmin Royaloakmin is offline
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Best just to learn how to cut them with a sharp no. 11 blade, and practice.
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Old 10-31-2022, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by PetworthPilot View Post
Do they come in various sizes? I did a search on the web but not sure that I am looking at the same things you are thinking about.
Every Japanese bookbinding punch drill that I have seen comes with a set of tips from 1.5 mm to 4 mm.
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Old 10-31-2022, 04:36 PM
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I bought a Japanese hole drill years ago and it only came with 3 mm bit. I added bits from 1 to 5 mm in 0.5 mm increments.

I recently tried a couple dermal punches for larger holes, but I had trouble getting the cut disks out and messed up the cutting edges in the process.

Those that know me know I have had no success with circle cutters. I tend to do inner diameters cuts with an x-acto blade and outer diameters cuts with scissors. But that's me...

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Old 10-31-2022, 04:39 PM
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Once I thought of a rotating flat surface - something like a low wooden cake tray - and an immovable vertically fixed modellers knife, however finally I never tested such a set.
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