Estes USS Enterprise #1275, Part 14, Secondary Hull Brace Slot Cutting

I put off cutting the brace slots in the secondary hull. I wanted to practice on cutting the tube slots first.

Draw a pencil line a bit smaller than the brace width. Square on the front, round on the back. 

Use the tip of the knife to make the square corners.

Note the blade is turned up to make the lower corner cut first. 

The long sides are cut.

Leave the rounded back end for last.



I used a round diamond file to extend the width and round the back.

Finish up with a flat file for the sides.

Here's a good friction fit of the brace in the slot.