In anticipation of getting to the next step (terrain / scenicking) in building my layout, I've been accumulating cardboard in pretty much any form (as long as its clean). I figure whatever it is I can probably use it somehow. So I've got a large collection of boxes, trays, "thin" cardboard boxes (from bulk food packaging), etc. Obviously in order to use it I'll need to break it all down (bust the glue/tape strips, etc) and make it all flat. But that's where my question comes in--
Does anybody have a suggestion for a good way to get it cut into strips that won't kill my wrists or expose me to aggregious bodily injury (like stabbing myself with a box knife). (I've already managed to drill a hole in my fingertip with the drill...
Alternately, just checking, is there a commercial supplier of cardboard strips?
Bandsaw. Cuts through cardboard like butter and you can do several sheets at the same time.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
jwhitten Alternately, just checking, is there a commercial supplier of cardboard strips?
Micro-Mark, product #83081, includes 90 strips 1"x24", 'edges produced in a manner that virtually eliminates paper cuts', price $9.95 in current catalog. Three or more packages sell for $8.65 per .
CNJ831
Use a utility knife and some sort of strightedge. The straightedge can be a drywall "T" square, strip of plywood whatever you have on hand. Mark out the width to cut, connect the marks and have at it. Using a srap piece of ply or length od wood as a cutting board works fine.
The cardboard can be tough on the blade, either change it or run a pass on a stone to get the edge back again. The cardboard strips don't need to be perfect, just nice to have clean uniform edges.
Just do be careful, don't be holding that straighted in the path of the blade. 6 months ago, I tried to make two, left thumbs when I had a dull blade and pulled the knife toward me. Ouch and #**^%####, cut down through the nail and stopped at the knuckle- looked like a snake tongue....
As a carpenter for over 30 years, I should know better. Never use dull tools and don't pull toward you, Ya sure, didn't even use my own advice....
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Generally, all I've done was take a box cutter to flattened boxes--cuts come out straight that way anyhow----change out blade every 5/6 boxes to keep sharp edge----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
I was lucky to find a bunch of pallet covers (40x48" carboard sheets) in perfect condition. Since I am too much of a perfectionist for my own good, I used a zero clearance insert on my table saw and ripped them all to 3/4" wide. No muss, no fuss.
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
If it's like shirtbox card stock, you can use one of those single blade paper cutters. You can slice it down pretty narrow with that.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
For corrugated material, I use my table saw. Yes, it's a lot of machine for the job, but it works well and it's safe (if you use it right). A saber saw would work, too, or a band saw.
My advice about utility knives: Change blades often. When they get a little dull they become very hard to control (but they still cut flesh very well).
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
that's a good idea. I discovered recently that one of the big box "club" stores has an enormous supply of large cardboard items like that- big & flat that they put between their egg and produce pallets. I haven't asked them specifically for any yet, but they've been really nice about giving me boxes and stuff so I don't see why they wouldn't part with those.
Did you clamp them together when you sawed them? Or just do them individually. Seems like you could stack 8 or 10 together and do them all at once.
Yes, I've found that out myself.
Instead of making your own, go to a Home Depot, Lowe's, or similar store and look for the cardboard strips that are used by the drywall installation people. You can get a large bundle of pre-cut strips for a very reasonable price.
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
IVRWA hot wire might do good.
A hot wire would not be the proper tool for the job. Cutting foam, yes...cutting cardboard, no.
I use my old box knife...I don't use a straight edge..I had years of practice at work.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
wm3798 If it's like shirtbox card stock, you can use one of those single blade paper cutters. You can slice it down pretty narrow with that. Lee
Ditto!! I have an old "meat cleaver" paper cutter that has cut cardboard, sandpaper, and even those old carpet squares!! It even cuts paper!!