Cutting out shells

[Belsten]

Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations on what to use or hints/tips/techniques ?
I used to use a cool pair of nail scissors which I no longer have Recently I have tried a variety of different sized kitchen scissors and a sharp scalpel. For those that dont know me, I am a little heavy handed especially with a sharp scalpel
At the mo im trying to cut out a repro kanzen shell which is a lot thicker lexan than normal shells and im struggling
What are the branded lexan scissors like (associated, tamiya etc) ?
Thanks

[brian s]

use electrical tape around the outline, then score along the edge of the tape with a scalpel (if you are unfortunate and the scalpel slips you will only cut the tape) then bend back the shell on the score line and you shoul get a clean cut.
cheers.
(is that pete or dave?)

[Belsten]

Its Dave, Bri. Freehand, scalple and me generally dont work out. I cant do straight lines for sh1t added to the fact im not all that patient and will ultimately take a finger off or something

[GRIFF55]

Couldn't you chew bits off dave??? Parma do i nice curved one i think?

[DCM]

if you are really struggling, cut it over size and use the sanding drum on a dremmel, if you use it right, you can get pretty straight cuts dude

[Belsten]

Originally Posted by GRIFF55

Couldn't you chew bits off dave??? Parma do i nice curved one i think?

I know I can always count on your support Andrew

Originally Posted by DCM

if you are really struggling, cut it over size and use the sanding drum on a dremmel, if you use it right, you can get pretty straight cuts dude

Thats what ive been doing Steve just feel a bit of a spaz doing that. No comments please

[Jonathan]

I would definitley say go for a branded pair of lexan scissors (especially as you were happy with the old nail scissors). Ive found mine very easy to use.

[mole2k]

I normally score mine then cut it with a scapel and use a dremel with a sanding disk to finish it off nice and smooth.

[jimmy]

I always use a new scalpel blade and score it - then crack it off. doesn't usually need any more finishing than that and it's super quick to do. I used to use some curved Kyosho scissors but I don't think it's possible to do as good a job with scissors.

[DCM]

Originally Posted by Belsten

Thats what ive been doing Steve just feel a bit of a spaz doing that. No comments please

if you really are struggling, bring a couple of sanding drums for me, and I do it.... as a last resort!

[dave g]

a spray tin with some wet and dry etc wrapped around it is good for smoothing out curves.

[Belsten]

cool thanks for all the replies guys

[rcluke]

get someone else to do it

[strobe]

Get a Cat SX. The shells are pre cut.

[traffman]

Originally Posted by jimmy

I always use a new scalpel blade and score it - then crack it off. doesn't usually need any more finishing than that and it's super quick to do. I used to use some curved Kyosho scissors but I don't think it's possible to do as good a job with scissors.

I also regurarily crack one off aswell.

Seriously i do just as jimmy does.

[Colinevan]

what i always do is use a bodyshell reamer to make circles at all the intricate shapes and then use scissors of different sizes to meet up all the parts in between... Also to aid cutting out.. Quickly cut out the excess material close to where u need to be and that makes it easier to monouveure the scissors, withou them getting clogged uo with big strips of lexan.

If you struggle to see the lines, u can always go over the edges with a none perm pen or marker. Just make sure that it will wash off easy before hand......



Col.