Ever tried making miter cuts in miniature woodworking projects or cutting popsicle sticks with angles? It can be a tiny nightmare! But fear not, fellow miniaturists, for the “Chop-It” tool by Micro-mark is here to save the day (and your sanity!).
With guides for 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees, it’ll have you slicing through wood and plastic with ease, like a ninja wielding a tiny lightsaber.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the land of miniature miter madness and reveal how the “Chop-It” rescues hobbyists from the jaws of frustration, so let’s dive straight into things!
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What exactly is the Chop It tool by Micromark?
As a miniaturist or model maker, you might know the struggle of making precise miter cuts on small-scale projects and tiny pieces.
The “Chop-It” is a specialized tool by Micromark, designed to simplify and perfect miter cuts in miniature woodworking and popsicle sticks.
Chop-It, Quickly replicates miter cuts
Buy Now →Check out more details and prices in the link above
Micromark is also a trusted name in hobby tools, and the “Chop-It” is a tool that you might consider for working with miniatures, model ships, dollhouses, or miniature railroads.
At its core, the “Chop-It” is a miter cutting guide that features preset angles commonly used in miniature projects: 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees.
The “Chop-It” is incredibly versatile and easy to use, allowing you to work with both wood and plastic materials (styrene).
Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to handle, even for delicate miniature pieces. No more struggling with oversized tools meant for larger projects! The base is 7-1/2 inches x 7-1/2 inches and it cuts material up to 3/32 inches thick.
The “Chop-It” saves you time and energy by providing consistent and accurate miter cuts effortlessly and thus a lot less stress!
Check out the price and more details of the Chop-It here.
How to use the Chop It tool by Micro-Mark?
Using this tool is actually quite easy, but let’s summarize it for you:
- Step 1: Get Familiar with the “Chop-It” Tool
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the “Chop-It” tool, and see how it is a substantial little piece of kit that comes with several spare blades to ensure smooth cutting and precision.
- Step 2: Choose the Correct Angle
Depending on your project requirements, select the appropriate angle guide for your miter cut. The “Chop-It” provides guides for 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees, ensuring a variety of cutting options for your miniature creations.
- Step 3: Set Up the Jig
For scale lumber or styrene pieces, slide your material into the jig, aligning it with the desired angle guide. The “Chop-It” is both left and right-handed friendly!
- Step 4: Secure the Material
Once your material is positioned correctly, tighten the little red tabs on the jig to secure it in place. This ensures stability and prevents slippage while cutting.
- Step 5: Change the Blade (if needed)
If the blade becomes dull after extensive use, change it by unscrewing and replacing it with a new razor blade. Spare blades are included, so you can keep cutting without interruptions.
- Step 6: Cut away!
With your material secured and the correct angle set, it’s time to work some magic! Use a piece of blue tack or similar material to prevent the jig from sliding during the cut.
You should now be able to swiftly and effortlessly make multiple miter cuts with exceptional speed and accuracy. Utilize the little pegs on the jig to cut lumber at various angles.
- Step 7: Tidy Up the Edges (if necessary)
After completing the miter cuts, you might find that the edges need some finishing touches. Use minimal effort to tidy up the edges, as the “Chop-It” tool’s precise cuts leave little work for refinement.
You can also take a look at the video below to see how Model Railroad Techniques is using this tool!:
Some pros and cons of this Chop it tool by MicroMark and a little review.
Where to get: On Amazon.
Let’s look into some pros and cons of this tool and see if it rises up to expectations:
The Good.
- Accurate and Consistent Cuts:
The “Chop-It” tool’s preset angle guides, including 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees, ensure accurate and consistent miter cuts, very handy if you need exact and detailed cuts.
This latter is harder to get by just using other materials like the ones to cut popsicle sticks with.
- A Time-Saver:
By simplifying the cutting process and allowing quick adjustments between angles, the “Chop-It” tool saves valuable time during miniature crafting, which can be an asset to our professional miniaturists.
- You can use different Materials:
Whether you’re working with wood or plastic, the “Chop-It” tool proves to be a versatile companion, accommodating different materials commonly used in miniature projects. - Sturdy Build:
Constructed with aluminum and designed for small-scale work, the “Chop-It” tool boasts a sturdy build, providing durability and long-lasting performance. - Ease To Use:
The straightforward setup and operation of the “Chop-It” tool make it accessible even to beginners, reducing the learning curve for hobbyists starting with miter cuts.
The Bad.
- The cost of replacement Blades:
The “Chop-It” tool uses standard razor blades, which means you may go through a significant number of blades, leading to additional expenses over time.
- Cost for Some:
While the tool’s price may be reasonable for some users, others might find it a bit pricey, especially when considering international currency exchange rates or for some parts of the world. (customs costs)
- Limited Angle Options:
Although the “Chop-It” tool covers common angles, it might not cater to specialized or unique angle requirements in certain miniature projects.
- Manual Cutting:
The “Chop-It” tool is not motorized, and users must apply manual pressure to perform the cuts, which might be fatiguing during extensive projects and/or harder (wooden) materials.
- Doesn’t have a replaceable cutting mat, while more expensive cutters have this included.
Overall, this is an affordable and quicker solution to cut miter cuts in a more efficient way than just using hand tools, while on the other hand, this device isn’t suitable to cut hardwood and a larger device like the Proxxon table saw does!
An example of a model artist working with the Chop It by Micro-Mark!
Check out the amazing video below to see a modelmaker called Luke Towan creating little wooden pallets with the help of a Chop-It!
My Final Conclusion
I hope that you enjoyed this article on a simple device to cut miter cuts called Chop It by Micro-Mark tools.
If you have any more questions about this tool, please feel free to leave them down below in the comment section or join me on one of my social media channels below or my cozy Facebook group.
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
Hi everyone!
My name is Lizzy, and I am an amateur miniaturist obsessed with everything in the dollhouse and miniature world, ever since I was a teenager.
So far, I have created 2 dollhouse projects, a backyard shed and a miniature treehouse, tons of DIY dollhouse kits, and “hacked” some.
I also created a fairy garden, and lots of small and simple miniature projects on my YouTube channel. (mostly made from trash or everyday items).
I love to write as well about all things happening in the miniature world, hence the reason why I created this blog!
I wish you happy reading and crafting!
Lizzy
Wow, this “Chop-It" tool from Micromark sounds like a game-changer for miniaturists and model makers! The preset angles and versatility for both wood and plastic materials are definitely appealing. I appreciate the detailed steps on how to use it, and your pros and cons breakdown provides a well-rounded perspective. Considering the precision it offers, the cost of replacement blades seems like a minor trade-off. Thanks for sharing this thorough review!
Hello Jason!
You are very welcome and I hope that the Chop-It will help you a lot with your model-building!
Kind regards,
Lizzy