how to cut/saw HL plastic

[Steenv]

Hi there

I have tried to cut away parts of the HL Tiger with my dremel tools, but it kind of melts the plastic making it very hard to cut loose the engine grills to make them operational.


What do you use to cut/saw the HL Plastic

cheers
Steen

[wibblywobbly]

I find that the cutting disks melt the plastic, but the metal circular saw does a slightly better job. The secret is to only use the very edge of the blade, and don't hold it in the same place, as otherwise the friction generates too much heat. A slow speed helps too, if you have a multispeed dremel.

The other method is thread. Some use cotton, I use dental floss. Here the secret is to keep it moving so that it does generate heat, and this will allow the thread to cut through the plastic. Its way better for hatches and fine work.

You can also buy a special saw that will do the job, I forget what they are called, but I have one of those too. It makes light work of cutting through styrene.

Doubtless others will be along with their tricks and tips any time soon!

Rob G

[fv432]

hi steen
i use a fret saw and the sewing thread cutting method especially for hatches

[oz]

if you can regulate the rpm,s on the drill turn it down a bit, if its too fast it,ll melt the plastic.............oz

[Steenv]

Hi all

thanks for all the advice. I will go and give it a try with the different methods

cheers
Steen

[Crispy]

I've used a razor saw (like a very thin hack saw) on my builds, you can also get replacement scaple blades that have saw toothed edges. I use a Dremel like tool, set it on its lowest speed and take it easy, cutting a little into the plastic and pulling back rather then burying the blade into the plastic and letting it wrap around the disc. Is you're using carbon cutting disc's they're likely to shatter doing this and eye protection would be worth thinking about.

Of course you can embrace the plastic melting and use a flat head soldering iron to cut away of just melt off those areas that are hard to reach with a saw. I soldered off a huge 6x6 inch chunk off my Tiger 1's engine deck when converting it into a Sturmtiger. Neither the dremel or the hack saw could get to it and it didnt make all the mest you get with sawing. Best to do it outside or open a few windows though 

[bowlman]

you can also use fishing line it lasts longer then thread .

Jimmy

[philipat]

you can also use fishing line it lasts longer then thread .

Jimmy

What size line do you recommend?

[daviddunlop]

If you have any friends/connections in the medical profession, you might see if they can find you a surgical wire saw, used for cutting bones. I believe they come in a number of sizes.


David

[Mackem]

I use the same method as Crispy. I have a pack of very thin and flexible 'keyhole' blades that are made for use with a craft knife.

John