Cutting out plywood parts

[ithink2020]

I'm looking into building the Scout XL or Super Scout from plans. What do you all use for cutting plywood? Parts (Firewall, wing spars, gear plate, etc.) will be cut out of 3/16" and 1/8" plywood.

Thank you!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I'm looking into building the Scout XL or Super Scout from plans. What do you all use for cutting plywood? Parts (Firewall, wing spars, gear plate, etc.) will be cut out of 3/16" and 1/8" plywood.

Thank you!

I use a jigsaw...Or on thin stuff a razor...

 

[Mr Man]

Coping saw

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

I use a Laser but you are going to say you don't have a laser and are not going to get one so this is what I'd do if I didn't have a laser.

A drill and a saber saw along with a little patience will get you some quite detailed wood parts.

 

[Merv]

..What do you all use for cutting plywood? ...

Bandsaw.

I've replaced a lot of plywood parts with 3D printed parts. My firewalls are all 3D printed, I can allow for better airflow around the motor than with plywood.

 

[bisco]

opposite ends of the spectrum:
1) ref=sr_1_4_sspa
2) ref=sr_1_5

 

[Mr Man]

opposite ends of the spectrum:
1) ref=sr_1_4_sspa
2) ref=sr_1_5

Yup, coping saw's are nice.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Bandsaw.

I've replaced a lot of plywood parts with 3D printed parts. My firewalls are all 3D printed, I can allow for better airflow around the motor than with plywood.

Yeah, I am REALLY hoping to get a 3D printer this fall!

 

[dcoombe]

I like pull saws for straight cuts

They're usually cheap too.

 

[ithink2020]

Thank you, everyone!

 

[Bricks]

Since I am not that techy think 3d printing I use a Dremel jigsaw which can be bought at garage sales or marketplace cheap.

 

[Merv]

Yeah, I am REALLY hoping to get a 3D printer this fall!

I used to think a 3D printer was a luxury, now that I have 2, I know how useful they are. I use mine for all kinds of things. Making jigs, drill guides, templates, plane parts, the list goes on. Keep an eye out for others who are selling one they don't use.

There are plenty of files one can download of useful stuff to print. But the real magic is in learning to design your own stuff. For anyone looking to get into 3D printing, I would recommend you start by learning to design first. The design process has it's own learning curve. Myself I use Fusion 360, the free version, it does everything I need. But there are plenty of other choices out there, each with their own learning curve. You can start that now for free.

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

There are plenty of files one can download of useful stuff to print. But the real magic is in learning to design your own stuff. For anyone looking to get into 3D printing, I would recommend you start by learning to design first.

This 100%, I'm always telling newbies in my laser fourm that while there are 1000s of designs on line they don't really own it until you can design your own stuff. Goes for 3d printer, laser cutting, cnc...

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I used to think a 3D printer was a luxury, now that I have 2, I know how useful they are. I use mine for all kinds of things. Making jigs, drill guides, templates, plane parts, the list goes on. Keep an eye out for others who are selling one they don't use.

There are plenty of files one can download of useful stuff to print. But the real magic is in learning to design your own stuff. For anyone looking to get into 3D printing, I would recommend you start by learning to design first. The design process has it's own learning curve. Myself I use Fusion 360, the free version, it does everything I need. But there are plenty of other choices out there, each with their own learning curve. You can start that now for free.

I already can design simple stuff fairly well in Onshape

 

[pablomargiotta]

I'm looking into building the Scout XL or Super Scout from plans. What do you all use for cutting plywood? Parts (Firewall, wing spars, gear plate, etc.) will be cut out of 3/16" and 1/8" plywood.

Thank you!

CR-Laser Falcon 3D Laser Engraving Machine - Creality Official Store

Elevate your creativity with the CR-Laser Falcon laser engraver, featuring 5W or 10W optical power. Craft personalized items from paper, wood, leather, ...

store.creality.com

 

[Masterguns]

Other than my Creality 5W Laser Cutter & Ender 3 V3 & a Bambu Labs P1S. Also, of course, a steady hand with a Dremel can get you good results if not fantastic results. However, if I don't need the laser cutter for a larger project, another tool I use for quick & quicker need for precise work is this cheap, but surprisingly very good quality-in my case-mini table saw from Saker. I ordered direct from Saker located in California. They have all kinds as you can see for yourself on their website. Worth a look especially when you work with thicker bass & cedar with the balsa kits & such. I was surprised at all the little tools they sell. Be well & stay safe.

Best regards,
Masterguns

 

[ithink2020]

Other than my Creality 5W Laser Cutter & Ender 3 V3 & a Bambu Labs P1S. Also, of course, a steady hand with a Dremel can get you good results if not fantastic results. However, if I don't need the laser cutter for a larger project, another tool I use for quick & quicker need for precise work is this cheap, but surprisingly very good quality-in my case-mini table saw from Saker. I ordered direct from Saker located in California. They have all kinds as you can see for yourself on their website. Worth a look especially when you work with thicker bass & cedar with the balsa kits & such. I was surprised at all the little tools they sell. Be well & stay safe.

Best regards,
Masterguns

I see the Creality 5W Laser Cutter is on sale right now for $139. Can you tell me more about your experience with it?

 

[Masterguns]

I see the Creality 5W Laser Cutter is on sale right now for $139. Can you tell me more about your experience with it?

I say get it if you're just getting into "laser" cutting. It's a good budget cutter that does pretty decent work depending on the settings that you need. I can get frustrating the first few days. You might already know the stuff in my babbling & please disregard reading if you do indeed know this. I'd recommend working with dxf files with it or simply grabbing an image you need from Google images in pdf format & converting it. Of better yet if you find a designer that has already put a good design that folks like for any given plane you happen to be involved with. If drawing your own designs then you need additional software program to draw or alter an existing design. I've been using LaserGRBL because it's free & tailored for beginners such as myself. I also have Inkscape that has the same market in mind, but has some more advanced features & allows you to use vector. If we're talking about cutting some FT wood you are limited to 5mm max depth. Foam isn't that big a deal if you're a mil or two above that. Keep in mind that if you're wanting to cut FT plans they are rasterized to keep the boot leggers at bay. You'll need to use another program that has the feature for you to vector draw the part(s) on the plan you need cut. FOR YOUR OWN USE ONLY.

There are some good pay programs like the popular Lightburn, Adobe Illustrator & CorelDRAW, but they are harder to use & more for professionals. I already have enough software for my needs as it is & I like a convenient way to get clean cuts that join together as if I was building a SBK. Just put in a good a days worth of research while watching this weekend's football & learn about the available software & free vs. the paid programs that have a steeper learning curve. For me it's been trial & error, but it's not the machine by any means. Be mindful that you have a max of 400x415mm work space which isn't bad for a hobbyist doing what we're doing. You have to break down your cut design cuts on a bunch of different bord cut to shape. I bought this one on sale at $129 free ship from their US warehouse in Hebron, KY. ONLY BUY CREALITY PRODUCTS FROM THEIR OFFICIAL STORE! Do not buy a Creality machine or accessory from Amazon, eBay & such, because Creality will NOT service the product. Only if you buy direct from their official Creality Store. I'm sure why that is, but that's the way they operated. Their official store will send them from the Hebron warehouse or China, depending on the situation. Their CS has been lacking the last few years & you only get it from techs or whomever that are physically in China. They take days to return emails. So, unless you want to ring them at their international tx, then look forward to possible delays for repairs or replacement parts. Buy a honeycomb base with the aluminum sheet underneath so you get more consistent cuts & it protects your table surface. Highly encourage you to also buy an enclosure for it that protects your eyes & sucks out the dust & fumes the cutter makes with a wire hose you can route out of an open window or large dust container. You want to avoid the fumes, & these put out some harmful fumes that are known to cause cancer in California & cause birth defects in unborn children. Peace, brother.