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Cutting Fine Openings In Plastic

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  • Member since
    April 2013
Posted by KnightTemplar5150 on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 6:15 PM

It might just be easier to make a mold and cast this part in clear resin, because drilling, carving, and filing those openings is going to be a pain any way you approach it. 

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by l33tHoneyBadger on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 3:38 PM

Engines

The above is the piece in question.

Complete Engines

The above is how the concept artwork looks.

 

  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by rob44 on Monday, April 27, 2020 6:37 PM

I think a scribing tool might be just what you need. Here is one i like.

https://www.bare-metal.com/introduction-to-using-bare-metal-foil.html#_

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, April 27, 2020 5:25 PM

Is this a kit that has molded turbine faces? Blades and the hub onthe front and flat on the back?

If so, you could probably rub the flat side on a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface until the deepest recesses on the front start to get opened up from the back.

Also, if the turbine face is plastic, you must paint it thick (preferrably the same color as the paint on the face) on the back so the plastic doesn't glow.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Monday, April 27, 2020 4:16 PM

Well, "G"

 You mean you don't know about Screw Drive? You emit light through Turbine Blades and it comes out in a spiral. This lighT then powers the ship's forward movement. But, only in sub-Light situations.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, April 27, 2020 2:23 PM

goldhammer

Can try repeated scoring with a new #11 blade, or drilling a hole with a pin vise and filing them out with the above mentioned jewelers files.

I'd do that.

Question- why is light shining through a turbine? 

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, April 27, 2020 2:05 PM

Not sure what you mean by turbine fins.  Do you mean blades?

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Monday, April 27, 2020 1:11 PM

Can try repeated scoring with a new #11 blade, or drilling a hole with a pin vise and filing them out with the above mentioned jewelers files.

Going to be a long drawn out haul no matter what.

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by RickS on Monday, April 27, 2020 12:53 PM

I'm having a hard time visualizing what you mean, but one thing that comes to mind is a set of jewelers files

  • Member since
    April 2020
Cutting Fine Openings In Plastic
Posted by l33tHoneyBadger on Friday, April 24, 2020 7:48 PM

I am currently working on a fictional space craft which has several engines of various small sizes. The engines have turbine fins that have recessed gaps in them. I want to cut in between the fins to allow lights that are going to be ran inside the ship to shine through the engines giving them the appearance of being on. These gaps are pretty small, maybe about the lead size of an unsharpened pencil or so. Is there something out there that will allow me to cut these lines in to the plastic without melting it or otherwise destroying the part? I have been thinking about this for a while now and all my searches have come up with nothing. I'm just wondering if anyone here has come across this and figured out a good way to do it. Thank you in advance!

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