need help on conversion

I want to do a conversion on my hatchback. I'll probably put a skyline front or tail lights on it. Only thing i want to know is...how do you cut the whole front (including hood and fenders) with out ruining the piece? i've tried to use and xacto knife, but it takes too long and isnt strong enough. should i use a dremel?

Yup!

Originally posted by cl_type_s
I want to do a conversion on my hatchback. I'll probably put a skyline front or tail lights on it. Only thing i want to know is...how do you cut the whole front (including hood and fenders) with out ruining the piece? i've tried to use and xacto knife, but it takes too long and isnt strong enough. should i use a dremel?

Ummm.... no. The Dremel tools all spin too fast and generate too much heat.

Try the back of your knife like a scriber or use sewing thread like a saw.

How-to:
Knife (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61545)
Thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=713476#post713476)

Sorry for the misinformation, that is what I would have used.

Jay- even when your cutting a whole front end off you just wouldn't you a slow speed on a dremel?

Originally posted by jay@af
Ummm.... no. The Dremel tools all spin too fast and generate too much heat.

Try the back of your knife like a scriber or use sewing thread like a saw.

How-to:
Knife (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61545)
Thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=713476#post713476)

a dremmel will melt the plastic rather then cut it, at slow speeds it wont really work. scoring with a knife for hours on end will work well. if you want try a jewlers saw (U shaped saw with small teeth) or a exacto saw. hope that helps or is right. :flash:

And even the thinnest cutting wheel I've ever seen on a Dremel will cut too wide a slice of plastic to be able to use both sides. If I'm cutting panels on a car with any possiblity that I'll want to use both parts again (read: all the time), I'll use one of the scribing methods I posted above.

Dremel is certainly not the way to go when cutting model parts. Apart from melting the plastic, you won't be able to make accurate cuts.

Use the thread of knife methods as already mentioned. Yes they do take time and effort but patience is a key part to this hobby. If you want to do it properly and have it looking good then you shouldn't mind taking the time to get it right!:)

I agree on not using the dremel on plastic shit, I tried to do some custom shit with the speaker grilles in my car and it wasnt pretty. Melted the fuck out of everything, I got new stock grilles though, and put speakers in there that fit without spacers so its all good.

Originally posted by cl_type_s
i've tried to use and xacto knife, but it takes too long patience my friend, patience.

What do you use a dremel for, then? Power sanding?

no wonder why it takes you guys a year to make these models :D lol j/k

I just can't see sewing thread being strong enough. What about finishing line? I could see an exacto know though(even though it was a pain trying to cut the roof off my mustang, so I just sanding it out and kept lol

Originally posted by kicker1_solo
patience my friend, patience.

Don't knock it until you try it. :)

What "gauge" do you guys use? (honestly) I might have my dad send up a model for me to work on at college :D

Originally posted by daggerlee
Don't knock it until you try it. :)

I bought a roll of black nylon thread from Wal-Mart for 50¢ and subsequently dissassembled my Integra along all the panel lines in about 3 hours. The thread breaks every 10 minutes or so, your fingers will turn purple from the thread ;), and you have to slow down a lot to make sure you're cutting in the right direction, but other than that, it works like a charm.

I like to use dental floss.. those that come ready-strung on a u-shaped toothpick make great saws.