Right angle cuts

[j_nigrelli]

use a "bench hook" - see any 101 carpentry book for a picture.

then make a sanding board - same as a "shooting board" [same book - next picture] but substitute a piece of aluminum angle with sandpaper glue/taped/ stuck on it in lieu of a block or jack plane.

to work with dowels of any size, it's helpful to have the piece sit in the groove of a bed block. a short 10" or so piece of 1" x 4" pine with a 45 degree groove cut in it works but you can also make it as elaborate as your time and zen allow.


Northeast Shortline has some nice, albiet pricey, tools in their model railroad department for scratchbuilding, but if you know just what you're trying to accomplish you can make something more favorable to the budget.

[sydeem]

I leaped at you suggestion because all the chop saws I had seen before cost more than I wanted to spend. Unfortunately so does harbor frieght. The only chop saw I could find on their web ste cost $199.99.

I did a quick lash up from j_nigrelli's suggestion and it worked for me. But if I ever see a $20 chop saw - its MINE.

[ScaleMotorcars]

Hey Syd, if you want to come off the mountain you can have my old Makita chop saw for free. Its a little big for dowels at 1 hp but just think you could cut through 100 of them like slicing through butter. :D

[sydeem]

Thanks Garey - I now have one on order! Hopefully the blade they supply will work on small styrene rods and tubes. Hate to have to also buy a bunch of blades.

[Deuces-wild]

They just opened up a new store in Westland Mi. not that far from me. I just might go there this weekend and pay them a visit. One can get lost in a place like this for hours. l: I also signed up for a free catalog. l: I also noticed they have an air brush kit for 4.99...... You may want to look into it. Time to go to work.... Later!

[Deuces-wild]

Ain't that the truth! l:

[hot ford coupe]

Oh crud !!! I'm going to be in huuuuuuuuuge trouble. There are TWO Harbor Freight stores in my area, one about 30 minutes from my house and one 45 minutes away. To make matters even worse, my wife is temporarily staying over with my step daughter, taking care of her because she's having our second grandchild in about a week and a half. I'm all by myself in this big house all alone. [B][I]ROAD TRIP !!!!!![/I][/B]

[Deuces-wild]

I just got done cashing my check... Ya may as well count me in... l:l: Tim Allen... EAT YOUR HEART OUT BUDDY!!

[hot ford coupe]

I just took a look at the website again a little more closely. I took a good look at what they have and I'm in bigger trouble than I thought. If I go there, I'm going to have to pack a weekend bag because that's how long it will take to pry me out of the store. Those prices on some of the equipment are great. Wow.

[Don Garrett]

I'm the cook in my household...it's usually me that says "Honey dinner going to be a little late tonite".

[Deuces-wild]

I only cook at least once a week on a Sunday. I cook the pasta..... Yummy! :) Other times, I just throw something in the nuker. My other half does the rest. l:

[BrassBuilder]

Thanks Garey!
I picked up one of those mini chop saws too. Looks like a pretty good deal for the cuts that I do in brass.
Mike

[Deuces-wild]

I picked mine up today along with a few other odds n ends. I added a couple drops of oil on the vice clamp screw for smoother turning. l: The arbor that the blade locates on looks a little sloppy, so I'm going to make a better one for it at work. l:

[Deuces-wild]

A locator stop? Those are easy to make. l: Thanks Garey. :)