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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Rob Killick on March 14, 2015, 05:44:28 PM

Title: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Rob Killick on March 14, 2015, 05:44:28 PM

Hi ,

I'm building a die cut profile stunter and have noticed the stabilizer parts (which are die cut) have material missing from between both sides of the surfaces (along the edges). they look like they're hollow ground .
I'm going to silkspan all the surfaces , so I'm wondering if I can fill with something like Balsa Model lite filler and then silkspm ?

Thanks

Rob K.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Tim Wescott on March 14, 2015, 06:55:49 PM

I'm not familiar with the filler you're suggesting.

I'd be very tempted to trim the edges back by the thickness of the wood, then glue square stock back on where the problem exists (I suspect it's just on the end-grain).  It'll clean up your problem, and strengthen the thing against warps, too.

Whatever filler you use, make sure it's about as strong as the wood when it's dry -- there's some filler out there that dries up to be almost nothing.  It's nice and light, but not exactly structurally sound.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Dan McEntee on March 14, 2015, 08:20:52 PM

  I'm with Tim. If it's just a tiny bit, use a sanding block and just sand it out and round it off. You only lose and inch or two of area. if it's really bad, do as suggested and trim off the bad stuff using a straight edge, sand straight and square, glue on fresh wood and reshape. it will look better, be stronger and lighter and take about the same time as filling it in with filler and reshaping.
  Good luck and have fun,
  Dan McEntee

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Leester on March 15, 2015, 08:32:12 AM

Rob, I've had that problem before and the easiest thing for me was to make a new piece. The other suggestions work just as well, but if you have the spare wood cutting a new piece on your scroll saw does the job.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Rob Killick on March 15, 2015, 09:34:40 PM

Thanks Fellas  y1

One elevator is quite bad , but I think I will cut out a portion and add a new piece and sand to match the other elevator part .
Again ...
Thanks for the help .

Rob K.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Tim Wescott on March 15, 2015, 11:01:52 PM

I like to cap the tips of my solid surfaces with grain running chordwise even if I'm not trying to salvage poorly die-crunched wood.  If I could do that and salvage the die cutting that's what I'd do.

Of course, you always have to use your judgment about whether you should pitch a part and redo.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Randy Powell on March 16, 2015, 09:58:53 AM

Yea, you have to love die-crushing. It's why laser cutting has gotten so popular (well, that and the accuracy). Replace the parts that are unusable. It's a waste of time to try to fix them.

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: Steve Hines on March 18, 2015, 07:54:15 PM

The model lite that I used did not like dope, it melted. Then it would hard but did not keep it shape, or stay flat. It was some from Hobico.

Steve

Title: Re: Die cutting problem ?
Post by: wwwarbird on March 18, 2015, 08:08:52 PM

 Just curious, what kit is it?