Drilling out exhaust pipes??

RichardI

Member since
February 2004
From: Canada

Drilling out exhaust pipes??

Posted by RichardI on Monday, September 12, 2005 9:49 AM

Hi gang. I'm sure this has been asked here before, but what the hey, here goes.
I'm building a 1/48 P-51D (Tamiya) and I want to drill out the exhaust ports (pipes). As you can imagine, these are really, really small. I have a pin vise and a drill (several actually) that are small enough, but I can't figure out a sure-fire way to do it. I even thought of just applying a small drop of flat black paint to the ends of the "pipes", but I really want to make a real hole.

Any tips?
Thanks,
Rich Cool [8D]

On the bench: 1/48 Revell PBY Catalina 0A-10A. Next up: Moebius 1/24 Chariot from Lost in Space.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 12, 2005 10:13 AM

Rich-a pin vise is the way I would go. Maybe you need smaller bits-I've got some the size of needles.

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Abdiel

Member since
September 2004
From: Florida...flat, beach-ridden Florida

Posted by Abdiel on Monday, September 12, 2005 10:22 AM

Hi Rich

I just drilled out the exhaust pipe of my Steyr last night. Granted it was 1/35th scale, but the technique remains the same. I begin by using the point of a #11 X-acto blade to score a small depression in the center and then proceed with my pin-vise. I use a smaller bit than the diameter I intend to finish with, then work my way up in size until reaching a satisfactory wall thickness. Just take your time and work carefully and you'll have those exhausts lookin' realistic in no time! (Or, you can just get the right Moskit exhaust kit for your model and be done with it Wink [;)]

)

Good luck,
Eric

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Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Monday, September 12, 2005 10:23 AM

I guess it goes without saying, but just take your time and do it right.

Use a sharp sewing needle to mark the centre of the hole before you start drilling so the bit doesn't slip off centre.

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wing_nut

Member since
April 2005
From: Piscataway, NJ!

Posted by wing_nut on Monday, September 12, 2005 10:53 AM

Mark the center with a needle... then use the smallest bit you have to drill a pilot hole. That way you can see if you are off center with ripping through the side of the pipe