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AUSFWERKS
#16-02, The Block. Photo-etched brass parts cutting board (3 x 4-inches). Price: $6.00 USD, plus $4.75 for Priority Mail shipping within the USA. Prices similar for international orders; see web-site for details.
I like simple ideas, especially when they not only work as advertised, but they also make things easier on the modeler. Ausfwerks’ new tool, “The Block” is one such simple idea.
Since the advent of photo-etched brass after-market detail sets, most modelers (myself included) use a separate surface to cut the parts from the frets. I have a nice stiff metal plate about 6- by 9-inches long and about 1mm thick. It has served me rather well over the years and will continue to do so. But, it is extremely rigid and does not “give” when a blade is pressed against it, sometimes making the removal of an etched brass part from its fret an unwanted adventure. And, no matter how careful I am, there is always a tiny nub to clean off the cut part. Then there’s the dreaded side effect known as the “catapult launch” if the part is not securely held down against the surface.
Ausfwerks’ new item is composed of a small block of “high-density plastic” material, similar to a kitchen cutting board. It is rather hard and dense, yet yields ever so slightly to the sharp edge of a blade. In testing it I found that with care (and by following the manufacturer’s recommendations on their web-site), there was almost no connection nub to clean off the part; a quick swipe with 600 wet-or-dry sandpaper got rid of any remains. I also noticed that the part I was cutting was substantially less prone to “launch” since there was no “spring-back” from the cutting surface. However, I did ensure that I held it secure with a finger; old habits die hard!
I would caution the modeler against using The Block as an all-purpose cutting surface; it is not intended for that purpose and will not “self-heal”. This means that after prolonged use, it will have many small ridges on its surface, which will not be helpful when trying to cut etched brass. I’ll use my “old reliable” metal plate for stuff like that! I would also have liked to see The Block in a different, longer size. For instance, when cutting long parts such as tank fenders (or railing for model ships) from their fret, the parts will hang past the edge of the tool. This makes for a risk of kinking the part, especially if the modeler is not careful. I would recommend that the tool be issued in a new form, twice as long (about 8-inches would do; 10-inches would be better).
In conclusion, this modestly-priced item will easily pay for itself in time saved and in a lack of aggravation over lost or mangled etched brass parts. Give it a try!
Highly recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
Ausfwerks products are available direct from the manufacturer at: www.ausfwerks.com.
