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How to cut neat holes in fuselage? - 1/72 Eduard BF110

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  • Member since
    August 2010
How to cut neat holes in fuselage? - 1/72 Eduard BF110
Posted by flyinyak on Saturday, February 21, 2015 3:58 PM

I'm working on the Eduard 1/72 BF110. One of the steps requires you to cut 4 small rectangular holes in bottom front of the fuselage. Any recommendations on how do this neatly without making a mess of things? I tried one with a new xacto blade, sawing away little by little and still look terrible. The kit seems great so far, but these are some of the small annoyances I have with Eduard kits in general.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Saturday, February 21, 2015 5:31 PM

Dremel tool comes to mind...

Of course it all depends on how small you're talking...
  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Saturday, February 21, 2015 5:39 PM

Take a small drill bit in a pin vise and drill out the four corners, then cut with your Xacto. Or drill lots of tiny holes along the perimeter of the shape, called chain drilling.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Saturday, February 21, 2015 8:27 PM

Or skip the holes entirely and create an alternate solution.  If the holes are for mounting a part, you could probably glue it directly on top without cutting out the holes.  I cheat a lot like that, especially with 1/72 scale.  Most of those details will never be noticed when it's finished.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    August 2010
Posted by flyinyak on Saturday, February 21, 2015 10:05 PM

Thanks for the responses all. I think the chain drilling option might work best, although skipping the holes entirely are also an option. The are not for mounting a part - I believe they are exhaust ports for shell casings perhaps?

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • From: N. MS
Posted by CN Spots on Saturday, February 21, 2015 10:18 PM

They are indeed for shell casings.  I have the 1/48 version on the bench now.  Even at that scale they are pretty small.  If you just painted them flat black I doubt anybody would notice.  If you still want to cut them out, I agree with Nathan.  If you haven't glued the two halves together yet you might try thinning the plastic on the inside just over the cuts to make it easier.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, February 22, 2015 11:13 AM

Nathan T

Take a small drill bit in a pin vise and drill out the four corners, then cut with your Xacto. Or drill lots of tiny holes along the perimeter of the shape, called chain drilling.

Yes, the multiple holes is my goto if I cannot figure any better way.  Holes should be within about 1/8 inch of each other.  When you get it cut out you will have wavy edges- that is time for a small milling bit and a good variable speed Dremel.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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