electric hinge slotter

I read somewhere that there is such a machine. Does anyone know where they can be bought? Or how much do they sell for? Thanks for any help.

LAST EDITED ON Jul-30-04 AT 10:04 AM (CDT)
 
Tower Hobbies

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK263&P=0

Made by Great Planes called Slot Machine

Larry,

I have been unable to find my Moto Tool and accessories since returning to the hobby. If I can find it this weekend I will post a photo. I made an adapter to fit on the Moto Tool router base to center the small saw blade with the edge of the control surface and wing or stab. It works much like the biscuit cutters the cabinet workers use. I removed the corners of the hinges with a pair of scissors put some glue in the slots and inserted the hinges. I didn't have the CA hinges when I modeled 30 years ago so I want to try the Moto Tool with them. I learned very quickly that the saw blade for the Moto Tool is not meant to be used free hand.

Tom:

I did the same, but use one of the "cut-off" discs for a slightly wider cut when installing nylon hinges.

The slot machine works great, and is not expensive. You will need a set of nylon hinge blades, since it comes standard with CA hinge blades, which are thinner. The optional cutting gauge is also very helpful in making consistent centered slots.

Thank you Terry, Randy, Tom and Don! Such service you guys provide. And fast! I'll buy the Slot Machine today. What a coincidence, living in the Reno area, Slot Machine!

Don,

Your right about the cutting gauge except in my case would be a necessity!

A little tip on centered slots. All the gages etc I've seen and tried are "iffy" at best. What I do is the layout the hinge positions and then with my exacto I deeply score the slot location. Then I pull the blade backwards through the score to widen it. I put the Slot Machine blades in the score then cut the slot. Everyone I've shown that to does it now like that, one guy even said he was ready to toss it until I showed him that trick.

For what it may be worth.

Thanks Randy, I'll remember that as I just ordered it an hour ago. Also ordered extra blades for it.

I'll tell Clyde that you have one and he can come use it when he's in Reno again.

I hope that you ordered the non-cordless version. It works better when one wants to cut more than about ten slots at one time.

OS

I think I may buy one too. Randy's little trick is what convinced me. I think I will still get some extra blades though as I will probably wear one set out before I get it right.

I have a slot machine that I've never been able to use. I had problems changing the blades for nylon hinges. The original thin head bolts which hold the blades were made from very soft metal. They were locked in place with red loctite. When I tried to undo them to replace the blades, the heads stripped and I had to drill the bolt heads to remove them. I haven't been able to find replacement bolts anywhere and I've tried ordering then through several hobby shops. They tell me that they replacement bolts aren't available from Great Planes. So, here I sit with an unuseable slot machine.

It is supposed to have a two-year warrantee, send it back. There is also a tip that says to touch a heated soldering tip to the head of the screw to soften the loctite so the screw might be effortlessly removed. You know just like instructions on how to open the package that you have to open the package to read.

I guess in other words, if all else fails, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST! OK I'll be sure to read all before tinkering. Thanks guys.

LAST EDITED ON Jul-30-04 AT 06:29 PM (CDT)
 
Changing the blades takes some tinkering, it really could be better designed in that respect. However 2 things will help with the first removal. First, make sure you have a GOOD #1 Phillips screwdriver, second, with your soldering gun or iron heat the screws by holding the tip against the heads one at a time and carefully remove the screws. Make sure you have the screwdriver square in the head and the screw will back right out, the heat will help release the Loctite. The screws in mine have been in and out numerous times and still gooing strong.

While I'm at it on tools, if every other tool you buy is offshore junk, never ever buy cheap screwdrivers, pliers or allen wrenches. Many times, most infact, rounded out screw heads are caused not by low quality fasteners but low quality tools.

Hey Dennis, when is Sally Blanchard's book coming out?

I received the Slot Machine today and followed all of the instructions and pre centering the slot to be cut as Randy suggested really worked out well! I was able to cut these elevator slots in just minutes instead of a half hour or so! What a time saver. As prescribed, I praticed on the 1/8" sheet until I was good at it. This is probably one of the best $20.00's I've spent in years. Thanks to all who helped me out here!

by any act, error, or omission, I have, intentionally or
unintentionally, displayed any breedist, disciplinist, sexist, racist,
culturalist, nationalist, regionalist, localist, ageist, lookist, ableist,
sizeist, speciesist, intellectualist, socioeconomicist, ethnocentrist,
phallocentrist, heteropatriarchalist, or other violation of the rules of
political correctness, known or unknown, I am not sorry and I encourage you
to get over it.

Actually it's easier to buy 2 and set them up for both types of hinges. That way you never have to change blades.
Incidentally I haven't changed blades in mine in years. Used properly those things really do last a long time.
Dennis