Cutting styrene

I think there are a couple ways to accomplish your goal. Please understand these suggestions are VERY general, but should get you started:

1. Using the BACK of a #11 blade, carefully scribe the area you want to open. When deep enough, carefully use the blade portion to cut through the scribed area. Clean up with some sandpaper.

2. Using a small drill bit, drill a pilot hole in the center of each eye. Carefully enlarge the hole with your X-acto (or some needle files/rifflers) until you achieve the dimensions you desire. Use some sanpaper glued around a stick (or a needle file) to achieve the final shape and remove any rough edges.

3. Using a small drill bit, drill several holes around the periphery of the area you want to open. Then use a small saw blade (razor saw) to "connect the dots". Follow up with a small stick with sandpaper glued around it to achieve the final shape. (Again, you can use needle files or rifflers for this.)

For saw blades, I believe Micromark makes a set of blades that will fit your X-acto handle. They look like #11 blades except they have varying types of teeth--coarse to fine. I have a set, and wouldn't be without them. Micromark also sells needle files and rifflers; they are quite handy to have in your toolbox.

Hope this helps a little.
Gip Winecoff

I think styrene has hit it on the head with those suggesitons... but of course he would.... just look at this name

Thanks Gip, i'll have to find those tools first.would'nt want to make a mistake off to the hobby shop!

I'd go with styrene's option #1. That way, you won't have to scratch build the lids. (the AT-ST's eys are "shut" because the lids are down. They are actually hatches. If you go with the other options, you'll want to scratch build the lids from stock styrene. They seem to be a simple 2 dimentional shape...piece of cake.