Cutting out Panels

The right way to do it is what works best for you. Your proposed method is fine, and I'd use a jeweler's saw to cut out the panel. If you don't have a jeweler's saw, a jigsaw with the finest blade you can find may work. This is what I do.

It is generally better to cut well within (say 1/16 inch to 1/32 inch) within the ultimate opening, and then carve or file the final borders, as files and small knives are easier to control.

You can also scribe through, but I find that tedious, and the knife always slips at the worst possible time, leaving me a repair job, too.

If you have a motor tool with the right bits and speed control, you can grind it out with cutting burrs. But remember that power tools allow you to screw up a project far faster and more efficiently than you could ever manage by hand… @#!#&*#$%!!!

Do you want the panels to be still usable?  A rotary saw would be ok I guess.  You know the kind of saw that uses a drill bit and looks like a Dremel but can be slide horizontally.  That way you could follow any contour you like.  I don't know if I'm explaining this correctly??????  The only problem is the speed of the tool that can make the plastic to melt.

Thanks for getting back to me. What I want to be able to do is cut out a panel and have it left open like on a real jet if men were working on it. And I guess I will have to fix / puddy up the panel after I cut it out so it looks like to matches in size, right ?

Is this the jeweler's saw you are talking about ?

I found that on Micro-Mark.

And for the blades

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=22109

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=22108

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=22107

what one of these.

Thanks again all

Bud

That is the saw I mentioned. If you are buying the saw, I'd advise you to get an assortment of blades—one of each of the ones you asked about. You will probably break quite a few.

When they do break, you can often shorten up the saw and use the pieces. This also gives better control and less breakage.

What I would do is make a new panel first, before you cut out the old one. I'd use thin aluminum (not foil, maleable sheet stock). Metal toothpaste tubes and the foil on top of some wine bottles is excellent for this. Trying to save the old panel is possible, but not worth the trouble, IMHOAE.

The best tool for cutting out panel is a hot knife. As you can see in this picture of a commercial hot knife it's an ordinary soldering tool that comes with a screw on X-Acto blade for hot cutting.

This is the best, most precise tool for cutting out doors and panels. The edges will require some sanding and polishing but the panel that you had removed, once cleaned up, should be perfectly usable if you want to mount it in the open position.

Now that's sweet. I never even thought of that.

Thanks

Bud

MonsterZero wrote:

The best tool for cutting out panel is a hot knife. As you can see in this picture of a commercial hot knife it's an ordinary soldering tool that comes with a screw on X-Acto blade for hot cutting. This is the best, most precise tool for cutting out doors and panels. The edges will require some sanding and polishing but the panel that you had removed, once cleaned up, should be perfectly usable if you want to mount it in the open position.

I have to say that this has never worked well for me. The iron gets too hot, and the plastic just curls away from the blade. Using just the tip is better (like scribing, but faster) but I find the handle awkward and difficult to control.

See that's why I like these forums. You get both sides.

Thanks

Bud

I've never had any success with a hot knife- the things just make a truly horrible mess with a ticj=k ridge of melted plastic on either side of a much too wide opening.   If I were opening up some panels that I wanted to open and re-use I'd thin the plastic down from the back and then scribe the outlines until the piece pops out.  That thinning could be done by hand with 60 grit sandpaper, or with the careful use of a Dremel tool with a speed control.  Model car guys open doors and trunks by using a tight piece of sewing thread as a saw- I've never done this myself, but it sounds interesting!  If you just want to buy stuff, there are some resin aftermarket sets that inculude hatches and the things behind them.
Andrew

Dubau wrote:

See that's why I like these forums. You get both sides. Thanks Bud

That's great Bud! As long as ya don't get the business end of it

I believe Verlinden has a Corsair detail set which may be of interest to you. Opening panels are a bit tricky tho, I've experiemented with it not too long ago & did it by drilling 4 holes just inside the corners leaving a bit of room (as a precaution)then used the back of a #11 blade. It's tedious but, patience is a must. And, practice practice practice on some scrap styrene first

I am working on a F4U-1D Corsair now but the one I want to open the panels is for the F4U-1A. I have everthing extra I can think of to add to it from Verlindena and others.

Thanks for the tip. I do not know when I will start on it but good to know things.

Bud

Have you started on the moto tug yet? I had thought of buying this kit for awhile & just curious as to how it fits & all.

Here are some pics and info for the F4U-1D I am building.

http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/652447/ShowPost.aspx

So for so good.

Let me know what you think.

Bud

Looks good Bud, although, I didn't see anything on the moto tug I might just have to get one when I can afford it

It comes witht the Moto Tug I just don't know if I am going to use it or not yet

Bud

LoL Bud! Why do  ya say that? I'm curious

Why WHY WHY ! You asked.  I WILL TELL YOU WHY !  hehehehhehe

I am thinking of just putting the Corsair on something and just displaying it that way. I am looking for a stand that would look like a carryer deck.  But I don't know what I will do yet. Have to wait till I get to that part

Bud

Ok, sounds good Bud. There is a company that makes carrier decks & hulls in 1/72 but, not sure about 1/48 tho. I just can't recall the name off hand.  So, does that mean the Moto Tug wont be used?

Here's the link
http://www.flattopsandmore.com/kits.htm

Cool Link. If you remember the one for 1/48 please let me know and no I will not be using the Tug.

Did you want it ?

Let me know I can ship it to you.

Bud

EDIT................ NM about the link, there is 1/48 in there, thanks for that

But do let me know if you want the Tug.

Bud

 

Dubau wrote:

EDIT................ NM about the link, there is 1/48 in there, thanks for that But do let me know if you want the Tug. Bud

Glad to have helped ya Bud and, PM inbound as I am interested in the Moto tug. I think they look cool