Micro plane / squaring jig for balsa?

[Michael Morris]

I'm making several dioramas, with the diorama base being made from foam, framed in balsa wood.  The top of the balsa frame is cut to be flush with the surface of the diorama, so it goes up and down a bit.  I'm finding it a bit of pain to try to get the top of the balsa wood surround at right angles to the sides.  Is there some sort of tool, plane, jig or technique available to help me achieve a more consistently square edge to the frame?

Thanks

[louiex2]

I don't know if these are available in the UK but If you need something for small pieces of balsa wood (up to 4" x 1") there are at least tow available here across the pond.   

- NorthWest Short Line makes a tool called The True Sander (https://nwsl.com/collections/true-sander/products/the-true-sander)

or

- Micro-Mark offer a very similar Sand-It (https://www.micromark.com/Sand-It?gclid=Cj0KCQiAuP-OBhDqARIsAD4XHpen2pL4E6lA1TPDtHhETaAQL9g712mZYDuOIc_adPhX8KFLCGDNOMEaAvH_EALw_wcB)  Both include angle guide for sanding at 30, 45, 60 and 90 along with a protractor guide for any angle.  Either will do the job for you.  

 

Lou in California

[Aku]

I too am looking for UK recommendations. I have seen both of those suggested by louiex2, but I'd rather cut shipping costs and get a UK version

 

I've just ordered this and its arrived today, but it feels a little too cheap 

 

https://www.proopsbrothers.com/precision-mitre-sander-modelling-hobby-craft-woodworking-c6034-900-p.asp

 

 

 

 

[psdavidson]

Not sure if this is similar to what you are after

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/product/multi-angle-sanding-slider-dspiae-at-ma/

I don't have one, but I'm pleased with the quality of the other dspiae tools I have

There is also a Meng branded one, or you can get cheaper "clones" from China

 

/P

 

[Aku]

cheers. That is very similar to what I bought, but looks a little more rugged

 

[louiex2]

@Aku  The Proops Brother's Mitre Sander looks great and will do the job for you just fine.  Let us know how it works for you.    

@psdavidson  I forgot about the DSPIAE unit.  I have seen several reviews that give it high praise and the Meng unit is the same tool, just rebranded.  Also, it looks like the price as come down- it used to be around $100 USD (≈£70) 

 

Lou in California 

[Jamiec360]

How about making a shooting board? Cabinet makers use them with planes on their side to get pretty much perfect square edges. Any half decent plane should work with the balsa just make sure its really sharp and you follow the grain.

There are loads of woodshop plans on line you could scale down, I've been thinking about doing the same for plasticard.

 

[dnl42]

The various devices identified above are hobby versions of shooter boards.

I have the NWSL version and am happy with it.