CA EDGE HINGE Slot cutting jig FOR BALSA - by Pat Tritle

This handy 3D-printed tool is specifically made for installing CA hinges in small balsa models - close to the edge of the control surface.

Its quite difficult to do this by hand - especially with small models. The knife blade can go off-center but this handy tool makes it easy and safe and the job can be done with precision. Pat Tritle's created his original tool from scrap balsa in his workshop and he suggested that we could produce this 3D-printed tool.

The tool guides the knife blade to make slots for CA hinges - see the red lines in the picture below.  The tool has THREE slots to set the hinge 1/16", 3/32", or 1/8" from the edge depending on which slot you use. Use a felt-tip pen to make centering tickmarks on the edge of the balsa and the three small "viewports" on the tool will guide your work.   These tools are available for #11 blades or for scalpels.

V2 - 1.5" size is for relatively thin ailerons up to about 1" wide

V3 - 2.25" size is for larger ailerons up to about 2" wide

V4 - 2.25" size with 15-degree and 30-degree angled blade slots - please see the drawing below.  Note: this one is just for #11 blades.

The slots are small (for small hinges) because these tools are specifically for small models! 

Material: 3D-printed PETG Plastic

NOTE: This product was originally designed by Rabid Models and Pat Tritle (Pat's Custom Models), Made in the USA, Copyright © 2024. This tool can be made in a number of custom variations - for example the knife slot can be angled or placed in other positions. Contact us for details.  This drawing of the V2 model is by Pat Tritle.