by Ancient Order » Wed Mar 09, 2022 4:29 pm
This is the second frame I've bunged up using the fret cutters. I'm guessing that the cutters I got weren't the best. Got the middle of the road $28 cutters from Amazon, not the Hosco. They seem to cut fine, but as I start to clean it up the divot becomes apparent. Don't think it's technique, but I'm open to suggestions. Kinda pisses me off.
by RAMjetta » Sun Mar 13, 2022 8:47 am
Ancient Order wrote: ↑Sat Mar 12, 2022 4:25 pmGreat tip on heating the frame and cutters. I'll definitely try that on the next one. I keep saying no need to buy a Hosco cutter since I'm only gonna do one more.... LMAO!
JettaMan OUT!
by Ancient Order » Sat Mar 12, 2022 4:25 pm
Great tip on heating the frame and cutters. I'll definitely try that on the next one. I keep saying no need to buy a Hosco cutter since I'm only gonna do one more....
by miltonboro » Thu Mar 10, 2022 6:42 am
Don't fret! I used those same fret cutters for my first few builds before I found a deal on Hosco's. While the Hosco's have a more ideal design and do better they are still not entirely immune from causing that pitting and discoloration. To be safe you might as Hawkeye suggested back off a bit from fully flush. Another trick that improved my results quite a bit is heating the frame and cutters in hot water to soften the plastic. I microwave 1/2 inch of water in a pie plate until it simmers and then put the frame and cutters in it after for 30 sec or so. Boiling water is nowhere near the melting point of the polymer and entirely safe. After fine sanding some polishing compound on a felt bit via dremel helps a lot with the discoloration. Once your build is complete you'll hardly notice those minor defects.
by Ancient Order » Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:59 pm
That's what I was thinking on the next frame. Just don't try to flush cut. I might use some JB weld on this one because that white line drives me crazy, and I actually have some OD paint laying around just to touch it up. Only problem is, I'm about as good with JB weld as I am with anti-seize. That stuff goes everywhere!
by Hawkeye » Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:40 pm
I stopped trying to cut flush with frame because of this problem. I still use a fret cutter, but I leave a little piece to hand work off. I think that my fret cutter is dull and is why it leaves a divot. If you plan on painting, you can add some JB Weld as a filler, sand down flush then paint. you will never see it.
by Ancient Order » Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:35 pm
By scoring, I assume you mean just making a gentle pinch with the cutter, then checking where they are before a final cut? Yes, I'm doing that. After looking at closeups of the Hosco cutter, I can see that the angle of the cutting edge is much less on the Hosco - around 40 degrees, and mine are probably pinching the tab because of about 70 degree angle on the cutters.
by RAMjetta » Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:04 pm
Also are you scoring them gently before you go in for the cut?
JettaMan OUT!
by RAMjetta » Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:03 pm
Let's see some up close shots of the ones you got.