NO, You don't have to put quarters in this machine, but it will cut the neatest hinge slots you have ever seen. Although it comes with a set of .008 CA hinge blades, there are several blade widths, and sizes to fit about any type hinge. I ordered the optional nylon hinge blades and a cutting guide with mine. I have successfully hinged wood as thin as 1/8 in., so anything thicker is a snap. All you have to do is find the hinge center line of your material, adjust your cutting guide to that center line, firmly hold the guide to your material and carefully plunge the Slot Machine blades through the guide into the wood. After you are set up, it takes all of 5 seconds to cut a slot that your hinge will just slide into. You can turn an hours work into minutes, and have a better, much more accurate fit. By the way, you don't have to use the guide, but it doesn't cost much, and really works well.
Yes I would have to agree the Great Planes slot machine is a great tool.I also bought the extra blades to cut slots for the Nylon pinned Kleet hinges.A great time saver and perfect slots all the time.And to think when it first came out I thought how could someone be so lazy to not be able to cut hinge slots.Oh well old dogs can learn it just takes awile.
Dennis
Yep, great tool. I used mine to cut slots in a TF Flight Streak stab and elevator, that is about the thinnest wood anyone could use pined hinges in.
Just this morning I cut the hinge slots for the flaps on my Skylark, 7 hinges on each flap, would have probably only used 5 if I had to do it the old way. With 7 it should be bullet proof and the hinge tool made it easy...
I really can't imagine anyone not using this tool to cut hinge-slots. Great tool!
LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-04 AT 03:46 PM (CDT) After reading this thread about the GP Slot Machine, I decided to get one. For those interested... It is available from Tower Hobbies at a sort-of sale price. The sale price is $19.95 is the regular price BUT you get it WITH the hinge marking guide and cutting aid, for a $7 savings. When you order, either by phone or internet, you have to mention that you saw it in the "Tower Talk" mail catalog #03178
to get the price. Nice deal; I am looking forward to it. It will cut those slots in my Noblarf!
Ohh, I just added: The catalog prices are good through Feb 29th. Yes, it is a leap year. Go Patriots!
Nick Vanmatre
I've been using this tool for about 5 years now, and wholeheartedly reccomend it. Anybody that is still using an x-acto knife to make hinge slots is wasting way too much time. Do yourself a favor and get one of these if you don't already have one. Better tools equals better building and a more enjoyable building experience.
totally agree with everyone. Bought one about two years ago. switched to the fatter blades for the nylon hinges I use. I used to DREAD the hinge cutting process. Always had split trailing edges, cut fingers. Now, it like cutting butter. One of the top 3 tools I've ever bought for models.
If you time travelled a good CLer from the '50s and had him read these Slot Machine posts, he would think us as helpless, effete wienies.
He would say: what's next? Glue that dries instantly? Covering that you, say, iron on? One piece wings?
We are spoiled.
Mine broke fairly rapidly, but I sent it back and Great Planes honored the warranty and sent me a brand new one. This one seems to work great. Nice to find a company that actually stands by their warranty.
I used mine for the first time last night it is just great, the easiest job I've ever done. I got the gift pack the corded version 3 sets of blades, the centering tool for 28.99 from omni, but if you get it from Tower You also get 24 c/a hinges at the same price.