X-Acto issues

I used to until they took away my medical licence. Boy, you botch one surgery.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-SCALPEL-HANDLE-3-5-SURGICAL-BLADES-11-FREE-DENTAL-MED-VET-TAXI-CRAFT-/270825768798?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0e79475e

I use medical scalpels, Sharper and longer lasting than Crapxacto. Unless you use swann morton xacto
Swann morton
is a world leader in the manufacture of surgical scalpel blades, handles and disposable scalpels.

Their from the UK so they must be fancy!

I just glue a small piece of scrap balsa to the handle.

You can also put the handle in a bench vise, and put a slight bend in it to keep it from rolling.

Little piece of Gorilla tape is just fine. Any tape helps that dreadful full and land on your foot..uhgggg. Amazing how far they can roll and hit you dead center.

dankar04 wrote:Little piece of Gorilla tape is just fine. Any tape helps that dreadful full and land on your foot..uhgggg. Amazing how far they can roll and hit you dead center.

yep its almost like they are out to get ya

I use all types of surgical scalpels, but my favourite knife if an old brass Swann Morton Craft Tool that I have had for at least 45 years, the blades are still made for it, and are surgical sharpness, the handle is flat, so can't roll, and, unlike the present plastic version, the handle doesn't break in the middle of a cut!
I have never liked X-Acto, I've never considered the blades to be thin enough or sharp enough for serious modelling, and I could never get on with a round handle, I always found that I couldn't hold it firmly enough.

Many of us use X-acto knives due to fact they were easy to buy. Yes indeed there are much better products but they work for me. Of course we use what we can get. Knives/ dremel tool/ sand paper work for me.

Exacto sets of the past certainly aren't what the are today. Modern ones are built in China to keep the price down however the quality suffers considerably.

Personally I use an Exacto 50's vintage Model #87 wooden tool chest set. One of the included knife handles is hexagon-shaped aluminum. Found the set seveal years ago at a garage sale for $3.

Sweet!

I use the Exel blades. Very sharp, I cut foam sheets and the just glide right through it. They don't seem to last terribly long, though. I agree X-acto is not up to par anymore.

My uncle tried to grab a knife that rolled off the table... Wasn't pretty.

engine049 wrote:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-SCALPEL-HANDLE-3-5-SURGICAL-BLADES-11-FREE-DENTAL-MED-VET-TAXI-CRAFT-/270825768798?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0e79475e

I just had a look at these. He wants $38.00 postage to Oz!! I think he's dreaming.

dinsdale wrote:

engine049 wrote:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-SCALPEL-HANDLE-3-5-SURGICAL-BLADES-11-FREE-DENTAL-MED-VET-TAXI-CRAFT-/270825768798?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0e79475e

I just had a look at these. He wants $38.00 postage to Oz!! I think he's dreaming.

Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Wilf

This side of the pond I use http://www.havalon.com/ for my surgical handles and blades. Old man hands likes the larger fat $8.00 handle in both sizes. The have many shapes of blades and their brand of Hobby (Xacto) blades are sharper then Xacto brand

Ivanhoe wrote:

dinsdale wrote:

engine049 wrote:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-SCALPEL-HANDLE-3-5-SURGICAL-BLADES-11-FREE-DENTAL-MED-VET-TAXI-CRAFT-/270825768798?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0e79475e

I just had a look at these. He wants $38.00 postage to Oz!! I think he's dreaming.

Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Wilf

I love the swann Mortons.

Might try Swann-Mortons for cutting but I still like my Exacto #87 wooden chest of building tools which includes items like pin drills, a block plane, draw knie, coping saw, sanding block, small SS precision ruler and provision for storing cutting blades all in nice wooden container that may easily be moved about from place to place.

All exactos here that i wrap the handles with baseball bat grip tape. I have the HD big red fluted handle one that gets a workout.

I bought one of the Revell knifes on sale that has the backbone of a wet noodle. That one didnt stay around very long.

Ivanhoe wrote:
Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Looked good - don't send to Oz :-(

dinsdale wrote:

Ivanhoe wrote:
Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Looked good - don't send to Oz :-(

Pah! Typical!

dinsdale wrote:

Ivanhoe wrote:
Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Looked good - don't send to Oz :-(

I am sure that you can find a dealer in Oz.

dinsdale wrote:

Ivanhoe wrote:
Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Looked good - don't send to Oz :-(

I'm sure most of us up here would be happy to do the 'middleman' bit.

John Goddard wrote:

dinsdale wrote:

Ivanhoe wrote:
Try here

http://www.scalpelsandblades.co.uk/index.php

This is where I get all my Swann Morton blades, Don't know what their postage would be to Oz, but have a look

Looked good - don't send to Oz :-(

I'm sure most of us up here would be happy to do the 'middleman' bit.

Yeah or you can buy my one off me.

SuperDave wrote:Might try Swann-Mortons for cutting but I still like my Exacto #87 wooden chest of building tools which includes items like pin drills, a block plane, draw knie, coping saw, sanding block, small SS precision ruler and provision for storing cutting blades all in nice wooden container that may easily be moved about from place to place.

Could you provide a link as to where to Find this item described PLEASE!!

This may be close.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35-Hobby-Knife-Craft-X-Tools-Wood-Blades-Acto-Plane-Art-Model-Carving-Bench-Kit-/380415940666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58928e983a
Bob