I just received my Pete N' Poke kit today and can't wait to get started. Of all the items listed to help me build the kit the one thing that wasn't listed and I didn't consider is the tool I need to cut the balsa pieces to the proper size. Can someone give me an idea of what type of saw, electric or hand saw is most commonly used by builders?

Thanks in advance.

Hey ELSBP

From my experience the dremel has been a very easy tool to use, but you must have a steady hand to use it or your model will fast become a scrap heap. If you dont want to buy or use a dremel, I would use just a simple knife set either by xacto or pro-edge both are good makes. And always have some fine sandpaper aroud I cant stop finding more uses for it.

P.S If your just cutting parts out of a sheet and not shapeing them a knife is best

If the sheets are die-smashed instead of laser cut, turn the sheet over, use 200 grit sandpaper, and LIGHTLY sand the entire sheet. Accomplishes two things...1) sanding always smooths surfaces, and 2) will "cut" through any of the raised area created by the die-smasher, thereby helping separate the parts more cleanly from the sheet.

Happy building!

Thanks, I do have a dremel and I didn't even think about using it. The pieces I am cutting are not the die cut pieces but long thin pieces to construct the tail and wings. I think each piece is 30" long. I will give the dremel a shot. The answer was right in front of my face, thanks Spudnick and thanks raistlin12 for the great idea for the die cut pieces.

Sounds to me like the cutting you will be doing would be best accomplished by using an xacto knife and a razor saw. If you dont have a razor saw, I would get one as they are a must have.

Zoni Razor Saws :thumbup:

If you are cutting long strips of balsa a x-acto knife and a long metal straight will take you a long way. I have a 24", 36", and a 48" metal ruler that I use to cut with.

If balsa I agree with RCKEN,also I use a balsa stripper,has a control to set the cutting width,doesn't cost much and the lhs should sell them.If hard wood I agree with Muddpup,I'm lazy ,I use an electric bandsaw,if sawing with a dremel,be carefull,my flying bud has 4 new stiches as of yesterday,between his thumb and finger.

Oh, you also have to have a lot of respect for the x-acto knives too. when you are cutting with a metal straight edge make sure your finger tips are away from the edge you are cutting. I don't know how many times I have sliced off a little tip of my finger with the x-acto and never even felt it.

Oh yeah, one more little tip concerning x-acto and razor blades. May sound silly, but be careful when you throw them away. Once I was carrying the trash outside to the curb when the bag split and trash fell all over the drive way. I realized that the single edge razor blade I threw away had split the bag. I started thinking what if an animal at through the bag, or a kid got around it, or something else. So know when I throw away my old used blades I wrap them in electrical tape so that nobody gets hurt. I know it sounds silly, but better safe than sorry.

Happy building ELSBP

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I bought a razor saw today to go along with my x-acto and dremel. I am sure I will use everyone's suggestions during some phase of my building.

Thanks again!

ELSBP,
Good luck and happy cutting.