Global Scale Modeller

The topic says it all. How can one cut and saw into a clear part without cracking/ruining it? The instructions tells me to split up the canopy in two 3 parts. How would one do this? Its 1/72 scale.



Any advice would be helpful.

A really fine razor saw, masking tape the edges you are cutting, take your time and hope for the best is the bets advice i can give really

Would it be possible to use a hot wire cutter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terrain-Scene ... 35d625db59

I think that as you are not vibrating the canopy piece, then it might minimize the amount of vibration in the plastic.

I haven't used one myself so this would be a suggestion only.

Obviously with all new techniques, practice would be the key.

If you use a razor saw, it probably would be an idea to pack the interior with something to cut down the vibration of the blade, say bluetack or something similar.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the advice, will start this operation tonight.

Daishi12 wrote:Would it be possible to use a hot wire cutter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terrain-Scene ... 35d625db59

I think that as you are not vibrating the canopy piece, then it might minimize the amount of vibration in the plastic.

I haven't used one myself so this would be a suggestion only.

Obviously with all new techniques, practice would be the key.

If you use a razor saw, it probably would be an idea to pack the interior with something to cut down the vibration of the blade, say bluetack or something similar.

Hope this helps.

Sorry to pour cold water on this one but the hot wire cutter is meant for expanded polystyrene not the solid stuff. If you used it on a canopy you might end up setting the whole thing on fire!

5Craven wrote:

Daishi12 wrote:Would it be possible to use a hot wire cutter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terrain-Scene ... 35d625db59

I think that as you are not vibrating the canopy piece, then it might minimize the amount of vibration in the plastic.

I haven't used one myself so this would be a suggestion only.

Obviously with all new techniques, practice would be the key.

If you use a razor saw, it probably would be an idea to pack the interior with something to cut down the vibration of the blade, say bluetack or something similar.

Hope this helps.

Sorry to pour cold water on this one but the hot wire cutter is meant for expanded polystyrene not the solid stuff. If you used it on a canopy you might end up setting the whole thing on fire!

No problems mate -- was just a thought that popped into my head, which is why I said - "I haven't used one myself so this would be a suggestion only.

Obviously with all new techniques, practice would be the key."

Don't know if you've started cutting yet, but I just use my knife with a new blade. I score along the cut line and just keep making passes. Takes a while, but gives a nice clean cut. Good luck dude.

5Craven wrote:

Daishi12 wrote:Would it be possible to use a hot wire cutter?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Terrain-Scene ... 35d625db59

I think that as you are not vibrating the canopy piece, then it might minimize the amount of vibration in the plastic.

I haven't used one myself so this would be a suggestion only.

Obviously with all new techniques, practice would be the key.

If you use a razor saw, it probably would be an idea to pack the interior with something to cut down the vibration of the blade, say bluetack or something similar.

Hope this helps.

Sorry to pour cold water on this one but the hot wire cutter is meant for expanded polystyrene not the solid stuff. If you used it on a canopy you might end up setting the whole thing on fire!

But what about low Voltage ones?

I agree with previous comments a slow deliberate approach is best, but I normally cut slowly as near as possible to a clear part sprue and slowly sand the remainder down

Hi, I cut the canopy when I made the 1/72 airfix zero as I wanted to show the canopy open. The best tip I found was to fill the inside of the canopy with a big ball of blue-tac to give it some strength and keep its shape when cutting. I used a craft knife with a new blade and made a few light passes same as chief has just described. Another tip would be to take your time and don't rush good luck