Is anyone using a Proxxon (or other) ultrasonic cutter?

MJY65

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Jul 28, 2021
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I've watched a few video reviews and am kind of on the fence. It seems like a nice tool for very precise cuts, but a little fussy for larger part removal. When I see the reviewers moving the entire tool back and forth as they try to force the cut, it tells me it is probably painfully slow.

I'm kind of wondering how it might do for scribing panel lines. A tool that will follow a guide with little or no pressure has some appeal as long as it is well controlled.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.
 
I've been using an ultrasonic knife from US-Gadget for about 12 years .

I wouldn't use it for scribing panel lines -- too hard to control the depth of the cut , cuts too fast and will cut right thru any scribing tape with ease .
 
I have some tools from Proxxon. They are very high quality.

Ultrasonic cutters are already pretty expensive tools, I probably would look for a less expensive brand unless you have some specific reason for going with Proxxon. And as urumomo said, the ultrasonic cutter is probably not the best idea for scribing panel lines.

I recently found a great tool for scribing panel lines. GodHand makes push broaches in several different widths from 0.10mm, up to 3mm.

These push broaches work very well pushing like chisels, or pulling as scribers. I use the 0.15mm on my car builds for door panels and all that.
 
I've been using an ultrasonic knife from US-Gadget for about 12 years .

I wouldn't use it for scribing panel lines -- too hard to control the depth of the cut , cuts too fast and will cut right thru any scribing tape with ease .
I am so naive...I know what an ultrasonic knife does, but how/what would you use it vis-vis modeling/models?
 
^^^^

Making precise cuts in the plastic. Windows, access panels, occasional taking apart a major structure for access, etc. without the risk of multiple knife passes.

One thing I don't like is that on most videos it appears that there is some melting taking place due to friction. Might be more clean up than it's worth.
 
I am so naive...I know what an ultrasonic knife does, but how/what would you use it vis-vis modeling/models?
I do a lot of kitbashing and scratchbuilding .
It makes short work of cutting victims apart , and it's a zero kerf cutter so it's great for opening up doors , hatches , hoods etc. on kits .
It is definitely not needed for OOB building
 
^^^^

Making precise cuts in the plastic. Windows, access panels, occasional taking apart a major structure for access, etc. without the risk of multiple knife passes.

One thing I don't like is that on most videos it appears that there is some melting taking place due to friction. Might be more clean up than it's worth.
The knife I have is supposedly tuned for styrene .
The " melting " is the displaced plastic .
The blade is just wedging itself thru so the displaced material pushes up and curls out
 
It can get that hot along the blade if you plow thru , avoidable by controlling the depth of the cut .
It has it's niche
 
As long as I've been using that thing I never gave it much thought ,
but I guess the plastic right at the blade reaches it's glass transition temperature , assisting in that displacement of material .
The heat can't dissipate fast enough with deeper cuts so you get significant material melting .

I know when I'm plowing thru , roughing parts out ,when I pull the blade away I'll get that fresh out of the oven pizza cheese string .
the heat is definitely there
 

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