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Opening tiny vents, etc. - FOLLOWUP IN OP - Do they make files this small?


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Just curious how some of you guys go about opening up very tiny vents like the ones in the photo below.... I've seen it in a few threads but when I try to open up something even bigger with a Dremel I make a complete mess of it. Any tips?

tbbgxCS.jpg



FOLLOWUP 07/07 - So I've gotten this far but my openings are still pretty messy:

p3qYz6D.jpg

That is my smallest needle file shown in the picture... do they make anything smaller than that? I'm thinking if I had a small enough flat file that would be the best way to clean up the rough edges. Also (while we are on the subject), any suggestions on what to use to smooth out the panel lines that I've scribed deeper? I have been folding a piece of sandpaper in half and running it through the lines with marginal results.

Edited by bigbluesd
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Using a #75 or#80 in a pin vise,.. carefully drill many small holes thru the styrene,

where you want to open it,.. then even more carefully,

file or new #11 blade scrape, cut smooth out the remaining plastic until opened.

It helps to file, sand the underside to make it thinner ,..like paper thin to aid in the removal of the styrene,

Try it on a donor ,..first!

Cheers

Edited by Belugawrx
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Using a #75 or#80 in a pin vise,.. carefully drill many small holes thru the styrene,

where you want to open it,.. then even more carefully,

file or new #11 blade scrape, cut smooth out the remaining plastic until opened.

It helps to file, sand the underside to make it thinner ,..like paper thin to aid in the removal of the styrene,

Try it on a donor ,..first!

Cheers

Very good tip Bruce...

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Brandon, for scribing/re-scribing panel and door lines, most builders use one of the following:

dental pick

back side of an exacto blade (the not sharp side)

panel scribers from tamiya or micro mark

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FOLLOWUP 07/07 - So I've gotten this far but my openings are still pretty messy:

That is my smallest needle file shown in the picture... do they make anything smaller than that? I'm thinking if I had a small enough flat file that would be the best way to clean up the rough edges. Also (while we are on the subject), any suggestions on what to use to smooth out the panel lines that I've scribed deeper? I have been folding a piece of sandpaper in half and running it through the lines with marginal results.

Here's where you switch to an Xacto knife and use the tip to ever-so-gently square off the corners and clean the edges. There are some expensive needle files that are this small, but the trusty Xacto is better suited to this task.

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Do you have a set of die files?

One of the handiest tools I've ever owned; both for model building and in the real world.

I agree 100%, also a set of riffler files will work as well.

Edited by kitbash1
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the secret is to sneak up on them from the underside. thin that material enough and the vents will open themselves. a little cleanup with an xacto should be all that is needed if things work out perfectly. sorry if this has already been mentioned but I have always found it the only way to achieve this look

jb

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the secret is to sneak up on them from the underside. thin that material enough and the vents will open themselves. a little cleanup with an xacto should be all that is needed if things work out perfectly. sorry if this has already been mentioned but I have always found it the only way to achieve this look

jb

Exactly right. Thin from behind... just like opening up a grille. The slots will basically open themselves up automatically and perfectly follow the edges of the engraved surface depressions.

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A lil late to the party but someone can't remember who did a great job when they cut out the vents and added a mesh from MCG or something to thar effect I'll try and find a link I want to say it is in the c.P.b area straight six build I think

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Jewelry suppliers have a huge selection of tools that can be used for modeling. I have a couple sets of the reamers and use them all the time.

Check out this site and look through all of the sections. Tons of tools here.

http://www.beadaholique.com/c-62077-cutters-and-files.aspx

Go to Michael's or JoAnne's and look through their beading and jewelry departments.

Mark

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