Cutting out hatches

[Tony Wizzz]

I am using my Walker Bulldog to try different things, I've cut out the battery box and replaced the board with a 2.4 Ghz, quick release via magnets, waiting for bits to reinforce and strengthen the hull. I want to move the main/smoker and volume controls to the upper hull, so I need to cut some hatches, re-using the cut hatches as openers by adding hinges.

So my question is what to cut the hatches with? Bearing in mind I will re-use them. My thoughts are dremel circular saw, razor saw or I've seen somewhere somebody using some kind of thin wire. So what does everyone suggest for the best results?

Thanks

Tony

[jarndice]

I am left asking Why do we have a section called TIPS & TRICKS when quite clearly nobody looks at it?
2nd subpage of that section clearly labeled "Installing metal hatches" tells anyone who can be bothered to click a mouse how it is done.
Or you could go to subpage 4 where DIETRICH tells anyone who wants to know, how to cut out hatches using "THREAD"
shaun

[tomhugill]

I am left asking Why do we have a section called TIPS & TRICKS when quite clearly nobody looks at it?
2nd subpage of that section clearly labeled "Installing metal hatches" tells anyone who can be bothered to click a mouse how it is done.
Or you could go to subpage 4 where DIETRICH tells anyone who wants to know, how to cut out hatches using "THREAD"
shaun

Installing metal hatches where the plastic hatches can be sacrificed is a whole different kettle of fish to trying to reuse them

[dgsselkirk]

Jeezz Shaun relax buddy! LOL! It's no skin off your nose the guy asked the question! LOL!

I have tried that thread method many times in my 40 years of modeling and it never seems to work quite right for me so I either just remove them with a dremel tool and rebuild in styrene or if I do want to save them I use my super fine drill bits and my handy pin vice and just drill holes around till I can pop it out with a very sharp exacto knife...

[jackalope]

I've always destroyed them upon removal and put on metal hatches, I wouldn't even try to reuse the plastic ones, you're a braver man then me!

[greengiant]

I've always used a small soldering iron that has removable tips ( Also used for wood burning marking ) The one I have has a screw in pin vise thing that has a slot large enough to take the small shank exacto knife blades. I just use the smallest pointiest exacto knife blade, let it get hot and slowly run it around the depression of the hatch contour until it cuts though. If its a hatch that has no contour lines molded in ( like the HL tiger's front hatches ) I go in at angle. These will need a little more work with filler and sandpaper to get the edges square off flat with the hull.
On the Walker the center rear upper hull hatch is the easiest to cut open and hinge (the one behind the intake grills) There is enough room there to mount all the switches around its edges and if you redo the on off switch so you can add a charging plug it will come out nicely there to. You will then have all your controls switches and a charging plug in one place and can fill in everything you cut out of the lower hull.

[jarndice]

Tony. Tom, Dean indeed everyone, SORRY for my unforgiveable rattieness, I dislike bad manners in others and yet here I am losing it to a fine man asking a perfectly reasonable question.
I suppose it must be the excitement of the approaching big day, No No not that big day, that was on the 19th September 1973 a day that will live in infamy WHOOPS! a day that will live in my heart forever, phew I think I got away with it
No I mean the upcoming election when yet again I must make that big decision, do I make my X in Italic or Times roman? as you can see this is no simple matter the fate of the Nation rests on me getting it right. shaun

[Tony Wizzz]

Thanks for your responses particularly greengiant which is very detailed.

Shaun, I guess I'm mainly looking for reassurance on these subjects, my experiences to date with this hobby have not been great, at the risk of boring everyone, let me try and explain where I started and where I am now.

My first tank was purchased about 4 weeks ago, prior to that my only experience with remote control models, was a £20 rc helicopter I was given for Xmas a couple of years ago which promptly disappeared over the my garden fence never to be seen again.

My first buy was the Bulldog, which I quickly realised wasn't what I was looking for so now use it as my research/learning unit.

Second was the HL Tiger 1 Pro Edition, this had too many problems with the rear idlers, and at the suggestion of a vendor (trusted) I was considering buying a replacement metal hull for it, however, it was not until just before placing the order that it transpired if I did this, I would need also to replace the wheels, suspension, gearbox, sprocket/idlers and tracks. Eventually scrapped this tank and sold some of the parts.

Third was the Taigen T34 from the same vendor as above, which I am very happy with.

Fourth was the Tiger Mid all metal (apart from the upper hull) from a German supplier, nice, but received damaged ( cosmetic though) and was offered 20 Euros for this (fair enough) However it has an issue with the BB gun firing into the ground. So e-mailed the supplier a week ago about possible fixes for this and am still awaiting a response (all my pre-sales e-mails where answered within 24 hours) Incidentally I will keep it regardless, just asking for help regarding a possible fix for this issue.

I also got a replacement 4:1 gearbox for the Bulldog from the same German supplier, all good except when installed the upper and lower hulls wont close properly, because the support plates are so high its hits the square box on the upper hull that rotates the turret. So hacked some off and bodged it to almost close (it now hits the upper motor)

So my thought process is before attempting any modifications or upgrades on my two good tanks, I'll try processes on the Bulldog, hence my questions are as much about am I about to do this right.

I think this will probably offend members here, so my apologies in advance but my impression is that these forums are somewhat elitist, with not too much time for the novice and technically challenged.

Anyway I'll carry on regardless and try to learn from my mistakes.

Tony

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Tony, I'm not sure where the 'elitist' is coming from? I am also a relative novice and often make simple and sometimes stupid mistakes, but that's how you learn. The guys on the forum are always helpful and supportive so don't be shy or afraid to ask questions, even if they seem obvious. You will see on some of my builds that I have had some quite basic questions to ask but that's to be expected when you are starting out. Yes some of the guys do really advanced builds and many have lots of years of experience in building and modding their tanks but I have never experienced anyone talking down to me or criticising anything I do (except positive criticism aimed at helping me improve). I don't think anyone on here would be offended by someone trying new things and needing help, or doing things in different ways, so as you said, carry on regardless and you will find lots of help and advice heading your way. Enjoy your tanking and go for it! Regards Alwyn

[dgsselkirk]

Hi Tony,

There are some pretty snotty forums out there however I can assure you this is one of the best for not being stuck up elitist. Shaun must have been having a bad day...
There really is no such thing as a stupid question because no matter how experienced you are we all started somewhere and had basic questions too.
In this hobby we all tinker to some degree and yes, sometimes things don't fit, break, function the way we want because as soon as you go to modify something Murphy's law takes over!
In this particular case listed are several different methods and like me you will probably find through trial and error the one that works for you. If I may suggest try some of the methods on some styrene plastic. Draw a hatch shape and then try it.

And I forgive you Shaun...LOL!