Build a covering-film dispenser

Model Airplane News, Aug 2002 by Beshar, Joe

Cutting sheet materials couldn't be easier

It has always been a hassle for me to unroll plastic coverings such as MonoKote and UltraCote to the size I needed to cut. I wanted an easy way to mark and then cut off the material I needed without using a large, open tabletop. Since my shop worktable is always cluttered with tools, wood, odds and ends and model plans, this aggravation inspired me to design this dispenser/cutter. I also found it very useful when cutting paper for masking models as well. The dispenser/cutter allows easy and accurate cutting of plastic covering film, fabric and paper up to 30 inches wide. Anyone with basic modeling skills and a few hand tools can make this cutter with a minimum of effort. Once you've used it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it!

The dispenser consists of a slotted base, two pedestal centers, one stationary pedestal and a movable pedestal (adjustable to the length of a covering-film tube). The covering roll fits between the centers, and the movable pedestal slides up against the end of the roll to hold it in place. A wing nut makes locking the pedestal into position a quick, one-handed operation.

Two vertical dowels hold the steel guide in place over the covering film so you can measure and cut the material. It provides a straightedge to guide your hobby knife, and it prevents the covering material from sliding out. The dispenser can be used on a tabletop or attached to a table edge, where the material can be drawn out to the desired length terminating at the edge of the steel guide. The dispenser also works extremely well for cutting parallel strips of covering material for trimming your model.

CONSTRUCTION

I made my base from a 1/4-inch-thick piece of wood that's about 2 1/2 inches wide and 32 3/4 inches long, but you could also use a strip of plywood. Drill two 1/4-inch holes in the ends of the base for the guide-alignment dowels. The slot for the right pedestal is ads inch wide by 6 inches long. Drill two 3/16-inch holes 6 inches apart and then remove the wood between them to make the slot as shown on the plan. Take your time and make it neat. The left pedestal is glued into place.

The cutter guide is made from an 1/8x1-inch steel plate that's 32 3/4 inches long (Home Depot item no. 30699439904). Drill two 1/4-inch holes in its ends to match the alignment dowels in the base.

PEDESTALS

The two pedestals are made from 3/4-inch-thick pine as shown on the plan. Note that one pedestal has a 3/16-inch hole drilled through it to accept the locking screw. The two centers are made from 1/4-inch-thick wood cut as shown on the plan and then assembled and glued around a 1 3/8-inch-long, 1/4-inch-diameter dowel.

ASSMEBLY

Glue the stationary pedestal into place and insert the centers into the horizontal holes in each pedestal, making sure they turn freely. If necessary, you can lubricate the holes with petroleum jelly. Attach the adjustable pedestal to the base with a 1 1/2-inch-long 8-- 32 machine screw inserted into the slot, and secure it with two washers and a wing nut.

To use the dispenser, place a roll of covering material against the stationary pedestal and slide the adjustable one up against the other side of the roll. Tighten the wing nut so the roll is held securely in place, and slide the film under the cutting guide. Unroll however much film you want, and then slide your knife against the guard and make a nice, clean, straight cut. That's it!

Enjoy using your new dispenser. I have found cutting against the wood base to be satisfactory. If, in time, you find that the base has become grooved and worn to a point at which it affects operation, it can easily be replaced.

Good luck, and happy landings.