RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hi All,
          I just thought that this may help people who are trying to open the rear deck hatches on Tank Hulls or on cutting out hinges to make them open.
          I am not sure if this is an original idea but I have used it since I was a child,when I tried to snap of a length of cotton by just wrapping it around my hand and giving it a hard pull......and cut my hand  as I was actually trying to break 'Button Hole Thread '. This stuff is really strong and can actually be used to cut very fine slots or curves in plastic with very little effort  .
          I have found that the best method is to tie one end of the thread to a heavy object and then hold the thread reel in the other hand leaving one hand free to hold the object to be cut. Now with the weight tied on; position the thread EXACTLY where you want to start the cut and then simply pull the thread towards you which will lift the heavy object up and once fully raised allow gravity to pull it back down again. I always keep my index finger on the thread,it helps me to control the thread.
        NOW unlike a hack-saw or a Stanley knife there is no' length' behind the cutting edge to help it stay straight and to stabilise it,so you MUST be slow and steady as you 'Saw ' through the plastic or you will wobble all over the place and leave a cut line like a drunken spider and so ruin the panel that you were trying to cut out.
        If you look at the two pictures of the Tiger rear deck you can Just see the cut if you look carefully and then the second picture shows the gap being held apart for the camera. With the Tiger turret hatch you can see how small the cut actually is compared to a pin next to it.The hatch looks worse as I had to file the hatch so that it would actually fully OPEN after I drilled and fitted the hinge pin.
        The Button Hole Thread WILL SNAP after a certain time depending on how long a length you use and how fast you pull. Long slow strokes are best but be prepared so that the weight falls onto a cushion or some padding and NOT onto a wooden floor board or your foot ! WHEN it breaks ( because it will, trust me) simply tie a new length from the reel onto the heavy object and carry on from where you left off !
      You will be amazed at what can actually be cut out if you go slow, watch where the thread is, and take your time. It MUST be Button Hole Thread, as it is so strong! Cotton will not work.[img][/img]

Hi Dietrich,

good tip - thanks

cheers
Steen

Thanks for posting this. I saw this method on another forum a long time ago, but it was removed before I could bookmark it.

great method 

cheers

STEINER

Great post. I've heard of this method but never seen it explained so well. Apparently dental floss is also good for cutting plastic.

great tip just tried it and it works, bring on the hatches

Darn it, now I have to buy all metal hatches...more money, less food for the kids....

Naaaa its okey xrad, the kids can eat the old plastic bits

excelent and well explained tutorial Dietrich thanks for that

Matt

Excellent tip Dietrich,
I had no idea that this could be done, great tutorial and pics, much appreciated.
James

Great tip for sure,Dietrich.Was wondering if this would work,have been using a similar method to remove pastic emblems from motorcycle fuel tanks with out harming the paintwork.You have made my day as I am now confident in your well explained tutorial to cut out the rear hatches,thanks again Sax

Thanks Dietrich for the explanation on how to cut plastic using sewing thread and how it's done. I've read about this when i first starting working on the tank modifications,but there were no return answer on how to, or how they did it . so i did my best using a saw that i picked up at home depot, but it could only do so much and fit in so little areas with the size.so with the info you gave us i went down to the bunker an cut the engine cover and hinges from my hl jagdppanther.job was a success! Thanks again for the tip. Wayne