georgeclements Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Some time ago, I read a short article on adapting a used Swann Morton No. 11 scalpel blade to make a fine line scriber - or squawker - for plastic sheet. Of course, now that I want to try it out, I cannot find the article. Can anyone help me to locate it? It involved grinding the blade to re-shape it, with the use, I think, of a disc in a mini-drill. Many thanks. George Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktoix Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Some time ago, I read a short article on adapting a used Swann Morton No. 11 scalpel blade to make a fine line scriber - or squawker - for plastic sheet. Of course, now that I want to try it out, I cannot find the article. Can anyone help me to locate it? It involved grinding the blade to re-shape it, with the use, I think, of a disc in a mini-drill. Many thanks. George Simply snap the tip off the end of the blade and scribe with the blunt side. Also rejuvenates the cutting edge.Shown to me by George Slater fifty yearsago.s ago !!! Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 The Olfa plastic/laminate cutter makes a good scrawker. http://www.olfa.com/plastic-laminate-cutter-(pc-l)/1090486.html John 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2mm Dabbler Posted April 21, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 21, 2017 I remember that description too: http://www.clag.org.uk/scrawker.html Colin Binnie who, even if he didn't invent the 'skrawker', certainly made it well known, described how to make them from old hacksaw blades: http://home.iae.nl/users/summer/16mmngm/Articles_htms/ColinBinnie/CBWJ.htm Incidentally, current bi-metal blades are not suitable for re-use in this way. Regards Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted April 21, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 21, 2017 The Olfa plastic/laminate cutter makes a good scrawker. http://www.olfa.com/plastic-laminate-cutter-(pc-l)/1090486.html John Much safer, too. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeclements Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 Thanks very much to all who responded. The CLAG article, for which Michael has provided a link, was certainly the one I was thinking of, but I had not come across the Colin Binnie notes, which are both useful and amusing. I do have Olfa cutters, to which John has referred, but I want to try to achieve slightly different results, and will experiment with the angle suggested by Colin Binnie as well as the right angle specified in the CLAG article. The late John Hayes, in his excellent book on the 4mm Coal Wagon, shows the scribing tools he made from old machine hacksaw blades, and also a tool for cutting components from brass etches. I have had a go at these, but they do involve some pretty heavy duty grinding. I'm sure that George Slater's method, mentioned by Nick, also works, but I think that the cautionary note in the CLAG article about grinding off the sharp edge of the scalpel blade first makes sense for anyone as naturally prone to daft mistakes as I am. Thanks again for your help, and taking the trouble to respond. George 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Daddyman Posted April 22, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2017 Ready-made scrawkers are available from Eileen's Emporium: https://eileensemporium.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&name=plastic-cutter-scrawker&cid=1622&Itemid=189&category_pathway=1063 Despite the fact that it's described as a plastic cutter, I use one of these to cut up to 22 thou brass and N/S. Note, though, that there is a design flaw in the product, in that the bolt which holds the blade in place cannot be resinserted into the nut once the first factory-fitted blade has been removed. However, I've been using it a few times a day for a year or more without the bolt. Perhaps someone knows a source of a better quality scrawker, without this problem? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted April 22, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2017 Over the years, I've used both the Olfa and the lighter weight (orange) one linked to above. I definitely prefer the Olfa. As for the design flaw in the Olfa (a brass bolt with a small plastic handwheel - which is fastened hard into a steel plate to hold blades in), I ended up replacing the handwheel with a short steel M4 bolt. I can't remember what size the tapped hole started out in the steel plate - or if I also needed to enlarge / tap this hole - but I've found that the new arrangement works well. I hope this helps, Huw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted April 22, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 22, 2017 (edited) Ready-made scrawkers are available from Eileen's Emporium: https://eileensemporium.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&name=plastic-cutter-scrawker&cid=1622&Itemid=189&category_pathway=1063 Despite the fact that it's described as a plastic cutter, I use one of these to cut up to 22 thou brass and N/S. Note, though, that there is a design flaw in the product, in that the bolt which holds the blade in place cannot be resinserted into the nut once the first factory-fitted blade has been removed. However, I've been using it a few times a day for a year or more without the bolt. Perhaps someone knows a source of a better quality scrawker, without this problem? The Olfa Cutter I use is the P-450 model which has a fixed screw. The blade is held in place under a metal cover with a brass thumb wheel and the knife is completely rigid in use. It's a couple of pounds more expensive than the one in the link but mine is as good as new after over 20 years of use, albeit a little work-stained. I got mine from Squires Tools and it's still in the 2012 edition of their printed catalogue, which I think may still be current (even though the prices probably aren't). The blades store inside the handle but aren't retractable so it takes a minute or so to stow the blade. If only used on plasticard , the blades are almost ever-lasting. Highly recommended. John Edited April 22, 2017 by Dunsignalling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now