How to - Opening hoods, doors etc

Thought i'd do this as it seems to get asked from time to time.

There are several ways of doing this but this is my method which has enabled me to cut away many parts with no damage or breakages.

To begin with I use a panel scriber which is actually a dental probe - exactly what that over priced BMF panel scriber is. Its purpose here is to deepen the groove a little for the knife blade later on, as you can see its very effective and removes a slither of plastic.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/5026301.jpg

You could infact use the scriber alone to work your way through the plastic but the reason why i dont is because as it cuts deeper, the cut will become wider too. With the knife blade you wont have this problem.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/6053365.jpg

So now that the gvoove has been deepened slightly, it provides a guide for the knife blade to run along. Without this, the blade is very likely to slip and score new panel lines in unwanted areas.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/4036852.jpg

I cut along the lines a few times with the blade the right way around then give them a few passes with the back of the blade which removes platic from the previous cuts. I continue to alternate like this until its worked its way through.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/9315403.jpg

And thats it, the part is removed cleanly and with no damage to the model or fingers. Also take your time and dont apply to much pressure - let the knife do the work.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/6650724.jpg

:frog: Thanks for the how-to fly sure does help me out:frog:, but where can i find a dental probe?frog: also you know what woiuld go good with this how-to a hinge how-to but just an idea:frog: :

I got mine from these guy's http://www.proopsbrothers.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Dental_67.html there in UK though and didn't check if they ship worldwide.

But, a quick search in Google should keep u busy
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dental+probes&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=

Thx fly..LoL i've got all of your tutorials in my favourites list..they will always come in handy ;)

:confused: What about the hinges fly?:confused:

i working on it!!!!! im working one it!!! i dont know about Fly making hinges but if he can do it faster go ahead.

im busy so you have to give it time plus i dont wann fud up my first how to thread

Nice How to fly, your always helping us modelers out! Man I should've dropped a B16 into my Civic with a Turbo to go with the Intercooler

Originally posted by fullbloodchop01
:confused: What about the hinges fly?:confused:

I'll leave that to Lownslow but in the meantime here is a link to quite a good pdf file showing diagrams of two methods. Its in Japanese or Chinese but the pics explain enough.

http://home.kimo.com.tw/enzo0101/support/door.pdf

There will soon be tutorials on http://www.briansmodelcars.com/ as pdf files to download, including my intercooler and one on hinges by another member.

Nice to see some more "How to's" being posted up....making good use of that new camera too eh Chris :p

Originally posted by primera man
Nice to see some more "How to's" being posted up....indeed, and a very well explained how-to at that. Thanx for the useful info. :)

Originally posted by primera man
Nice to see some more "How to's" being posted up....making good use of that new camera too eh Chris :p

Indeed, but i thought we got rid of you???:flipa:

:right:

Originally posted by flyonthewall


Indeed, but i thought we got rid of you???:flipa:

:right:

I missed you all so much i came home 2 days early:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
:finger: :finger: :D
The fishing was crap as was the whitebaiting.:mad: :mad:
I did get to visit a couple of modelling shops while i was away but i was very good and didnt buy a single thing. They had plenty of new Tamiya kits and older ones like the blue R5000 cosworth that was very cheap for a hard to get kit.
But there new kits(Fujumi GT40'S) were $80NZD...Almost $20-30 more then a new Tamiya kit:eek:

Get the same kit from HLJ for around $50 posted to my doorstep...rip-off bastards.

Anyway....sorry for dragging this off topic

Flyonthewall, how long does it take to cut through the plastic for a standard styrene 1:24 kit?

Originally posted by hermanchauw
Flyonthewall, how long does it take to cut through the plastic for a standard styrene 1:24 kit?

Man this threads old...

There is a PM feature on this site for questions like this ;) .

But most kits have different thicknesses of plastic. I would say that it depends on the kit.

Posting the qns and answers also lets everyone benefit from it right.:D

But most modelers would know that:
"It doesn't matter how long it takes, its how good the job turns out that counts".

Patience is a key to success :finger: .
J/K

Nah, your right, it doesn't really matter if you bring back old threads. Especially tutorials where the newer member would of never read before.

Originally posted by hermanchauw
Flyonthewall, how long does it take to cut through the plastic for a standard styrene 1:24 kit?

As long as it takes! This is a job not to be rushed so be patient and all should go well.

There will soon be tutorials on http://www.briansmodelcars.com/ as pdf files to download, including my intercooler and one on hinges by another member.

Awesome link. Great stuff. Thanks.

J. Barry