Photo 19 in article incorrect?

Is photo 19 the correct photo for the caption?

It looks to be the same photo as photo #2.

MRH: Yep, it was wrong so we fixed it. Please re-download. We will delete this post by tomorrow once everyone has had a chance to see it.

Is that the NWSL Chopper,

Is that the NWSL Chopper, that will no longer be available after August if no one buys NWSL?

Micro-Mark also sells their own chopper version

Micro-Mark also sells their own chopper version, and you can expect NWSL products of all kinds will continue to sell on eBay for decades to come.

The thing about eBay is when

The thing about eBay is when supply thins out, sellers ask stupid high prices.

Which is the one in the article?  Sometimes we read reviews or articles and not long after item is unavailable to buy.  Hopefully that won't be the case here.  I haven't needed one so far but might buy one before they are no  longer produced.

First, second, and third

First, second, and third paragraphs say "NWSL Chopper."  They are all pretty much alike.

Supply and demand

Depends on what side of the fence you're on. If you have a chopper to sell, how would you feel about it? I bet you'll pocket the larger take and be thrilled about your financial gain.

I built my own Chopper

You can use either razor blades or box cutter blades.

Bernd

The NWSL Chopper?

I have been without Internet access since before the article came out. The article was written and submitted for publication in January 2018 and after I read about NWSL going out of business, I asked Joe to schedule it as soon as possible.

Jack Burgess

I have the original Chopper I

I have the original Chopper I and it works well. However, it's difficult to get a nice square cut on anything over about an 1/8". Seem like blade deflection is the problem, any suggestions on getting a better cut?

I just order a second handle assembly so I can try building a UHMW style chopper. Great article, thanks for putting it together.

Lou

Original Chopper...

Lou...

Blade deflection might be caused by not having the screw/spring/nut holding the handle assembly tight enough. I just checked my original Chopper and the handle doesn't move sideways, only vertically. That is the only thing that I can think of to cause deflection.

drawings for homemade chopper

Bernd;

are there any sketches for that chopper you made? I can make one, but having some measurements/sketches beforehand would help.

Thanks,

Marshall

@Marshall

I don't remember if I drew anything up. If not I'll get something drawn up for you.

Bernd

Note: Sent you an E-mail via this forum.

Original. Chopper...

I have seen mentioned elsewhere that the deflection is not of the handle, but that the blade itself can bend slightly when cutting thicker materials. I don’t have a Chopper, so can’t verify this.

Blade deflection on Chopper and Chopper II

Yes, blade deflection is a real thing on the Chopper and Chopper II. Anything over .020" and it seems to be really noticeable. As much as I enjoy my Chopper, I find myself grabbing my mini table saw more often than the chopper. I can set that up to do repeat cuts and I can get a more accurate cut each time without having to file the ends smooth to get a nice clean cut. The Chopper excels where the mini table saw doesn't; under .020".

Craig 

Craig/Jack, Thanks for the

Craig/Jack,

Thanks for the replies. I have messed around trying to compensate for the deflection on pieces over .020 without much luck. The chopper does excel on thinner materials for sure.

Craig, what brand of mini table saw are you using? The micro mark one seems a bit overpriced in my opinion...

Lou

@Lou

I have the cheapest Mirco Mark version. It works okay but the problem is the fence does not go the full length of the blade. The one on the Mirco Mark website is upgraded a bit from my version but it's essentially the same saw. Overall I would say that it is worth the price for under $200. I was kind of skeptical about how much I would use a mini table saw in my modeling, but now that I've had it for over 10 years I would never give it up. In fact, I keep trying to save my hobby money to buy a Byrnes Table Saw ($500+) because they have a reputation of being much more accurate. 

I would say I use my table saw for 99% of my cuts. The only time I don't use it, is for window and door cut outs. I've cut everything from .100 down to .010 on this thing. The smaller sheets work better if you install the blade backwards. 

If I had to choose one tool to use, I would choose a mini table saw over a #11 blade.

Mr. Burgess -- thanks for the

Lou and Craig

About 2 years ago I bit the bullet and bought a Byrnes table saw. Worth every penny and as you know......it's a lot of pennies. Since adding that to my tools I find that I use wood much more for the internal supports of structures. That alone has been a game changer for me.

The accessories that I find essential are the extension for rip fence, miter gauge extension and accessory pack of pins and screws. In my opinion the blade guard is worthless. I also built a deck at front and back as the saw's top surface is a little small for working on some projects.

H Channel...

That H Channel was part of a very large "chopper" given to me by someone I never met. He obviously machined to stop himself.

Proxxon K-115

Rick,

I hadn't heard of Byrnes before; I just checked out their website, some nice stuff there.

Search turned up a Proxxon K-115 mini-saw that looks half-way decent for the price. Any experience users of the Proxxon? 

Lou 

Proxxon tools...

Lou...

I have a Proxxon disk sander, a Proxxon chop saw, and a Proxxon disk sander and I am very pleased with each of them. Quality machines...

@bernd - Your chopper design

I found where some of your design is shown, were you to want to share it with Marshall as requested by him above.

Here is the link, you will need to scroll down a bit on this comment since there is much ahead of the chopper design in the comment:

TT Scale "TOMA" update