Better straight edge for cutting. Making a good tool better!

[Anonymous]

The creation of this tool was an accident that happened in 1979, when I was building an R/C sailplane which had balsa sheeted wings. The sheeting was attached to the wing ribs, leading and trailing edges and spars with spray on contact cement. My foot long steel ruler straight edge happened to be to close to the sheeting when I was applying the spray adhesive and one side became covered with spray on contact cement. I didn't notice this had happened until the contact cement had dried. When I went to use the rule again, I noticed the coating of contact cement held the straight edge to the work much better. I have used a tool like this in this way ever since with excellent results. It is particularly handy for cutting plastic siding materials from Evergreen Scale Models or other sheet material when a straight cut is needed. You won't have the straight edge move when cutting these materials and ruin the piece your working on. Now, I use a T-bar sander as the straight edge and paint on a coat of Woodland Scenics contact cement. The adhesive needs to be cleaned off and replaced when it looses it's holding ability. It helps to keep the adhesive side up and clear from touching other items for the longevity of the adhesive coating. I will use this tool for laying out pencil lines on these materials, also.

[Paul Milenkovic]

What is a T-bar sander?

Are there straight edges you can buy? I have a steel scale ruler, but the scale marks make for some roughness when dragging a knife -- I have looked all over for a steel rule without any marks on it. Getting a piece of brass stock was one suggestion.

[Anonymous]

You can find a simple straight edge anywhere, try a hardware store. I doesn't need to be a rule. In fact, doing this to a steel rule is sort of a waste of the rule's side which has the contact cement on it. Any metal piece with a good straight edge will work. My T-bar is an aluminum extrusion probably made for other purposes, that someone decided would make a good long tool for gluing sand paper to. It makes a long, flat sanding block and was marketed for sanding model airplane wings. I think Micro-Mark may have them and I feel certain I've seen them in Hobby Shops recently. Look for sanding equipment. However, like I said. any straight edge will work. Hardware stores may even sell equipment specifically designed as straight edges.

[MudHen_462]

Thanks for the good tip.... I'll sure try it !

Bob

[tatans]

Straight edge, steel rulers, try a drafting supply store(if they still exist) I used many large stainless steel straight edges, and still have a bunch. art supply stoeres may have some also. Ask an old draftsman, they probably have an arsenal of them sitting around.

[tatans]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Straight edge, steel rulers, try a drafting supply store(if they still exist) I used many large stainless steel straight edges, and still have a bunch. art supply stoeres may have some also. Ask an old draftsman, they probably have an arsenal of them sitting around.

I forgot, we used masking tape on the bottom to keep them sliding around,it has to be replaced occaisionally, but worked really well.

[gvdobler]

A T-bar sander can be found at your LHS. It is extruded aluminum and a across section would look like a T, used with the flat side against the work and the T portion is the handle. I have them from 6" long all the way to 48" ( I build some large planes.)
You can buy strips of different grit sandpaper with a sticky baking the same width as the bar.

They're made by Great Planes or DuBro.

Jon - Las Vegas

[Anonymous]

Lowes has 3', 4', and 5' metal "yard sticks". I use mine all the time. They make straight track straight. For the short or construction projects I use the General HO ruler. Lowes also has a 3' "T" square and that is useful for ninety degree measurements.

Bob

[Anonymous]

T-bars are available from Micro-Mark, marketed as straight edges. They are shown in the currect catalog.

[CBQ_Guy]

Great tip!

I wonder if some readily available and cheap rubber cement from the local "department store" would work , as well.

[Anonymous]

CBQ_Guy, Yes, I would think simple rubber cement would work. Walther's Goo would also work.