Comments on: The Trusty X-ACTO Basic Knife Set http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:23:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week In Tools http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-118374 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week In Tools Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:49:28 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-118374 [...] The Trusty X-ACTO Basic Knife Set If you’re one of the three people world-wide who’ve yet to pick up this basic X-ACTO set, get thee to the hardware store. Otherwise, this post will serve as a trip down memory lane. Regardless, it’s a good read. [...] [...] The Trusty X-ACTO Basic Knife Set If you’re one of the three people world-wide who’ve yet to pick up this basic X-ACTO set, get thee to the hardware store. Otherwise, this post will serve as a trip down memory lane. Regardless, it’s a good read. [...]

]]> By: JamesBrauer66 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116138 JamesBrauer66 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:03:22 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116138 I have really really tried to make use of both the Dremel and Exacto. The orange box cutters can be held like a pencil, and the blade won't flex. I suppose it is a matter of personal preference, but I just like to lock my thumb into the slot on the side of the box cutters, and can do fine curved work on airbrush frisket, or cut through mat board with similar ease. For the periscope I would chuck the metal bit into my Sherline mini-mill and go to it, lacking that a corded drill in a vise works really well if you can move the workpiece to it. I haven't ever cut through round stock thicker than about three inches, but I would use my horizontal band saw or lathe for cutting that. I have really really tried to make use of both the Dremel and Exacto. The orange box cutters can be held like a pencil, and the blade won’t flex. I suppose it is a matter of personal preference, but I just like to lock my thumb into the slot on the side of the box cutters, and can do fine curved work on airbrush frisket, or cut through mat board with similar ease. For the periscope I would chuck the metal bit into my Sherline mini-mill and go to it, lacking that a corded drill in a vise works really well if you can move the workpiece to it. I haven’t ever cut through round stock thicker than about three inches, but I would use my horizontal band saw or lathe for cutting that.

]]> By: Stuart Deutsch http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116108 Stuart Deutsch Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:11:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116108 James, The handle and blade design of an X-Acto offers much greater control when a precise cut or score is needed. Tools like the X-Acto and Dremel were never designed to replace larger tools. I mean, nobody in their right mind is going to measure a doorframe with a micrometer when a tape measure is available, right? Similarly, while there are metal-cutting bits designed for Dremel use, an angle-grinder is a much better choice when cutting through a four inch solid steel rod. But if you need to trim the perescope of a 12" submarine model, A Dremel is the far better choice. Then there's the also question of which tools a hobbyist or DIYer is able to afford or store away. While I would love a scrollsaw, the size of my apartment simply doesn't allow for one. James,

The handle and blade design of an X-Acto offers much greater control when a precise cut or score is needed. Tools like the X-Acto and Dremel were never designed to replace larger tools. I mean, nobody in their right mind is going to measure a doorframe with a micrometer when a tape measure is available, right?

Similarly, while there are metal-cutting bits designed for Dremel use, an angle-grinder is a much better choice when cutting through a four inch solid steel rod. But if you need to trim the perescope of a 12″ submarine model, A Dremel is the far better choice.

Then there’s the also question of which tools a hobbyist or DIYer is able to afford or store away. While I would love a scrollsaw, the size of my apartment simply doesn’t allow for one.

]]> By: JamesBrauer66 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116092 JamesBrauer66 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:37:43 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/08/the-trusty-x-acto-basic-knife-set/#comment-116092 Maybe I am just a small tool nihilist, but I don't like Dremel tools and I don't like Exacto knives. I'll take an orange handled disposable box opener any day. The orange plastic handle supports the blade right up to the cutting edge, and they can be snapped off when they get dull, and carried in the pocket. Maybe I am just a small tool nihilist, but I don’t like Dremel tools and I don’t like Exacto knives. I’ll take an orange handled disposable box opener any day. The orange plastic handle supports the blade right up to the cutting edge, and they can be snapped off when they get dull, and carried in the pocket.

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