16 replies to this topic

[welslotcar]

What are the best tools to use when cutting brass sheet (best guage?) for chassis?

[Hip Jones]

Bill,
I can't say it's the best for you, but for me a jewelers saw with a #2 blade and a bench pin gets the job done. It is slow and takes a lot of attention but leaves a good edge without any unwanted distortion.
..........Hip

[Bill from NH]

Bill, probably the most popular (not best ga.) thicknesses of brass to use in chassis construction are .032", .040", & .062". There are other thicknesses used, such as .050", but you can get by with these three. As for best tools to use, that will depend upon what you're cutting. In no particular order, these tools can all be useful. Dremel with abrasive cutting disc, scroll saw, band saw, minature table saw, metal shear. This list isn't exclusive either. I know a couple people here who either own or have access to a milling machine. Be aware that cutting brass sheets usually generates alot of heat, regardless of how it's done.

[Rick]

I have to say, HATS OFF, to anyone that can use a jewelers saw. Those things are great if you can operate one right. Every time I tried, I broke the blade in like 8 seconds. LOL

[endbelldrive]

I also use a jeweller's saw with a #1 or #2 blade. The blade looks quite delicate (it does 90º corners no prob!!) but I cut most of this 1/32 scale chassis out of .062 brass with 2 blades...which are quite cheap.

The saw blade cuts deceptively quickly. I did these two sets of zig zag cuts in 20 minutes.

[slotbaker]

Every time I tried, I broke the blade in like 8 seconds. LOL

I find that the trick with fine blades is to have the teeth point towards the handle, so that cutting is done on the 'pull' stroke.
I usually wear the blades out (on 304 stainless) before they break.

Using them the other way (like a normal hacksaw), the frame tends to move about just a fraction and some tension can be lost on the blade, allowing to flex, and break.

Nice frame Bob.

[munter]

Nice frame Bob.

thats for sure!

[welslotcar]

Thanks for the great replies. I am planning to build some vintage chassis and determining what tools and materials I will need. There is alot of great information on slot cars throughout this blog to say the least.

[Old pink can guy]

How about a picture of the jewellers saw. I do not recall ever seeing one! would like to cut some brass sheet so please put up a picture. Thanks gentelman.

[Pablo]

Bob Suzuki ROCKS

[endbelldrive]

Thanks guys...but I couldn't have done it without my jeweler's saws.

[Bill from NH]

Bob, I have one like that on the right. It's an Eclipse (English) that I bought 50 yr. ago to open plastic model car kit doors. Now I most often use those "jeweler's blades" in my scroll saw.

[Old pink can guy]

thanks Don for the pm but Bob had already posted pictures thanks to both of you!!!

[vdel11]

How many teeth/in. are the blades in a Jewelers saw? I have two saws the X-ACTO looks more like a coping saw you would use for wood and the blade is 6.75". The other saw has a 6" blade that is more like a hack saw blade but has a neat handle that will slide around the blade frame. The blade is stamped W Germany and the handle is stamped PUK Germany. I really like the idea of making very thin cuts (in brass up to 1/16" thick) than the Dremel cut off wheels #409.

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[Prof. Fate]

Hi

then and now, I always used a dremel! Not so pretty.

Fate

[HarV Wallbanger III]

Bob! Beautiful chassis!

[Phil Irvin]

I just bought a 4 in. German made saw with a gross, 144, of #2 blades from Rio Grande in Albq. NM for lkess than $30 + shipping. Got my tumbling media from there.

www.riogrande.com Got a nice girl to talk to also.

PHIL I.