Circle cutter?

[Eddy Matthews]

I've decided that I'm not happy with the paddlewheel I made for the Suter, so it's time to make another, which will hopefully be better than the first!

I've been searching for a good quality circle cutter for making paddlewheel rims, but so far without much success.... I'm looking for something that will cut accurate circles in thin ply or styrene.

Does anyone know of one, preferably with a UK supplier if possible...

There must be something out there!

[PJ]

Hey Bud...

One of the most valuable little tools I have is the "Olfa Standard Circle cutter" which does a great job in cutting circles from 1 cm to 15 cm in diameter.  It's inexpensive and can be found at most "serious" art supply stores.  

See example at:
http://www.misterart.com/store/view/001/group_id/8132/Olfa-Standard-duty-Circle-Cutter.htm

Olfa also makes two other cutters sutiable for styrene and thin material.

I've never tried this one but it looks interesting although it's designed for fabric and can be adjusted to cut circles from 1 7/8” to 8 ½”.
See it here:
http://www.artstuff.net/olfa_rotary_blade_circle_cutter.htm

The one I'd like to get is the OLFA Snap Off Circle Cutter which cuts uniform 2.8" to 12" diameter circles in materials such as plywood, carpet, leather, corrugated cardboard, matboard, etc. and I'm sure it would be good on styrene.  However its quite a bit more expensive than the other two cutters.
See it here:
http://www.artstuff.net/olfa_snap_off_circle_cutter.htm


There are other tools and ways of cutting accurate circles but I'd take a look at these first.  Let us know how you get on.

PJ

[mjt60a]

Hey Bud...

One of the most valuable little tools I have is the "Olfa Standard Circle cutter"....

They have an 'Olfa' one 4D modelshop (it costs about £30), see it here - http://www.yellowcatshop.co.uk/shop/default.asp?clientid=14&gid=4dmod&tabcatid=3500011&viewstate=34817&txtsearch=circle+cutter
but I got the much cheaper one from an art/stationery shop (it's like the maplins one, cost about £4), works on styrene up to about 3mm (if you use it both sides) I've used it on 1.6mm ply but it isn't very good really...and if you press too hard, the frame flexes and it tries to go in a straight line   See the maplins one here - http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=30607&doy=search

[Brian]

Below are two potential suppliers of tools to cut circles, and they do have branches in the UK and also take orders by phone.

1) Machine Mart - Their range of cutters (hole cutters) look like circular hacksaw blades fitted into the chuck attachment. The sizes are fixed and increase by exact miilimetres or inch fractions, i.e. they are not adjustable by the user.
Their Contact Details
Catalogue request line = 0845 450 1856
Web-site = http://www.machinemart.co.uk

2) Screwfix - Their range includes hole cutters similar to the above supplier, although they do have an adjustable cutter for 40 to 120 mm diameters.
Their Contact Details
Catalogue request line = 0845 850 6161
Web-site = http://www.screwfix.com
- - - - -
Although I have seen that there are attachments available for bandsaws, jigsaws, fretsaws, scrollsaws or even routers which make possible the production of circular items.

[crash93]

try http://www.hobby.uk.com/cgi-bin/hobbys-cgi/ProdSel.pl    this is the same as mine, but im shure I paid less.  Peter

[Red_Hamish]

Hello all, watch this space for an announcement about the new range of Dremel tools and accessories. I missed the product launch last week  :  but I am awaiting details from a colleague on Tuesday.

cheers

Jim

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & a little but Jim , I see you are also a member of the Edinburgh Model Boat Club.....

I posted a question to the EMBC WEB site administrator a few months back [without reply]  :rant .....asking if I could get in contact with the owner the version of a Victorian steam launch as per of Gallery 13

Do you know this person :?: :arrow:, if so could you please forward on this communication as there are a few  :mrgreen: questions re the GAZ system I would like to ask about - Derek

[crash93]

Try this link I have one and it works well

http://www.ema-models.co.uk/shop/prodpages/page-CMP1.html

Peter

[ky paddlewheeler]

I know this is some what old but onroad rc'er use a cutter to cut out the wheel wells much like the ones listed above but it uses a much bigger blade,I try to find it.

[Bill Hudson]

Circle cutting Primer:::

Accurate circle cutting can be best done on  a lathe but also on a drill press.  

For Drillpress:
1)First make a base of a sutible material, plywood, particle board etc. and locat a center in that base to mount a verticle post (bolt, wire etc). Cut another square (mounting plate) with a hole to fit over the post and turn freely.  

2)Cut squares of styrene a bit larger than the OD of the circle.
Draw lines from corner to corner ot locate center of square. From there use a compass to draw ID and OD.  Drill a tight fitting hole to fit the post on the base.

3) Place the mounting plate on the base thgen using double stick tape stack several styrene squares on the mounting plate with the post stickingthrough the hole.  

4) Using a milling cutter or a dremel tool verticle cutter in your drill chuck, locate the base so that the cutter just touches the outside edge of the drawn OD circle.  Now anchor the base solid to teh table. Turn on the drill press and feed the cutter into the styrene until plywood dust shows.   Lock the dp spindle the turn, by hand, the styrene sanwich intothe cutter until  the first circle is cut. Then do the  ID the same way.  In order to save waste I sometimes cut smaller circles for some future use.  


On a lathe: mount a plywood disc on the face plate of the lathe then stack up your styrene squares (larger than the outside diameter of the circle) using double stick carpet tape between layers.  Draw the outside adninside of  the circle on the styrene then set the tool hlder so that the tool feeds straight in  to the styrene.  I use a flat parting tool that has been sharpened very well sith lots of front rake.  Cut the outside first then the inside.  You can also do it  with hand held tools.  


Hope this is useful to someone.  

Bill

[Buccaneer]

An old topic but I've just joined! I have a good circle cutter for use in a Drill Press. It is made by General Tools and details can be found at www.generaltools.com or the UK distributor is Attenborough Tools at www.attenborough-tools.co.uk . They are designed for cutting circles from, or holes in, wood.

Mine cost £37 about 3 years ago.

Buccaneer