the best way to cut a ships hull to make it a water line for dioramas?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Blackwolf i want to do a diorama using a 1/720 scale Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier. the model has the complete hull. i want to make it appear as though its in water. should i cut the lower section off? if so, what with?

I'm not a dio builder so don't know about the ship diorama thing... but i imagine a dremel with a cutting disk would do fine, as long as you use a real low speed and don't let the plastic get hot...... you might try posting this in the diorama section or the ship section... they might be able to answer it better...

Being a 1/720 scale you may not have to cut the hull. If the base is deep enough you may be able to build the water up to the warterline of the ship. This would also give you an option if you wanted it to be in rough seas. To either raise the bow or stern w/o have to worry about the cut.

If not deep enough you could use a scroll saw or one of those Jewelers saws. The small thin blade is long enough through both sides at once and easy to control.

Hope this helps
Paul

Hi Blackwolf....

Here's an Illustration of my Home Made way of getting a Straight plum line on the Hull. This method can also be used to get a straight waterline on a "sinking" or partially aubmerged display.



Take care,
Frank

thanks fellows. great idea oldhooker. nice illustrations