Need help with range finder stalk

What is the best way to cut out the range finder stalk? I've tried using a jigsaw, hacksaw and box cutter but I always get a sloppy result no matter how careful I am. I want it to look perfect, uniform and even on both sides from top to bottom with a perfect round wheel at the bottom. Are there any tutorials I could reference?

have you considered purchasing an aluminum stalk from a maker? Or are you making one for a scratchbuilt helmet?

It's for a scratch built bucket. I wouldn't want to put a nice aluminum stalk on a scratch built bucket.

Originally Posted by Mister Hyde

It's for a scratch built bucket. I wouldn't want to put a nice aluminum stalk on a scratch built bucket.

True. I have never scratch built one myself, but I know Ive seen others who have, what they'll do is cut out the shape several times, stack/glue the layers until they have their desired thickness, and then sand/smooth/clean it up that way. Good luck!

What _i_ did, which isnt for everyone was this:

I went to the hobby store, and bought three pieces of square alum or brass tube.

Glued them all together.

Cut a piece of circle plastic and cut a notch in it, and glued the two together, with large washer as backing.

That way I had, straight, and hollow.

But to get something you cut fully straight, you put your piece of large sand papeer around a piece of 1x6 wood, and just slide itup and down, so you have a nice flat, long, straight edge, and you sand the whole edge at once.

Eventually, it will be flat.

It may sound stupid but try a cardboard one.I made mine from layers of mat board which can be cut with a ruler and scalpel making it perfectly straight.

After a few coats of primer it doesn't look like cardbard at all.

I hollowed mine out and ave ires running down it and it still supports a fair weight.

Check Antman's posts for a detailed tutorial

I've made a few stalks, most out of 1/8" thick hardboard ( two pieces glued together ) and one out of plasticard ( two sheets of 3mm glued together ).

To cut out the stalk, that's easy... I used a scroll saw and went nice and slow, following just outside of my desired cut lines. Then I used my dremel with a sanding drum on it to smooth the edges to the final thickness ( and proper flat/square shape). I finally used fine grit sandpaper and sanded the final finish by hand. They all turned out great, just remember to take your time.

As was mentioned. Draw the stalk on the material you're making it out of. Cut the stalk out just around the outside of the line, then use a dremel or sander to sand down to the line you drew...this will make it clean.