Notches

[granpa]

This is proably not new to the experienced builder but I have never seen it addressed before. If you cut the notches out befor removing the part from the sheet you don't get any tear out or breakage around the notch. The surrounding balsa acts as a "backer board"that is often used in woodworking to avoid tearout. Remove the material from the notch after removing the part from the sheet. This of course only applys to die cut parts.

[Country Modeler]

Thanks for the tip

[Ace423]

Instead of laying the piece flat on a board while cutting notches, just hold it
and cut across, using a sawing motion. It usually works OK, but sometimes
still breaks out - just glue it back on

[Charles_c]

I have found that if you mix a 50/50 white glue and water, and use a brush to paint the area around the outer edge of the former, the chance of splitting are almost reduced to zero. If you're not a white glue user, smear some of Testor's airplane glue around the former edge. That works, too.

Charles