Kit Basher

This method worked really well. I stuck Tamiya tape to the instructions, traced the outline of the pattern onto the tape, put the tape on the mesh, and cut it out with scissors. Easy and great results. Thanks, Greg! And thanks to all for your suggestions!

Thanks David. The mesh cuts easily with scissors, and I think if I can somehow attach the pattern to the mesh, scissors would work. I'm going to try that with masking tape later tonight.

Thanks, Ulf! I just checked and I can buy that stuff online. Sorry I used the idiom, but you interpreted it correctly. "Pick your brain" means seeking information.

Found some time, so here's the photo of what I'm doing. As you can see, I have to cut diagonally across the mesh. You can also see my attempts haven't been terribly accurate. Thanks for all the input so far!

Thanks, that is interesting. Sounds like it would work well. This is also a Tamiya kit, BTW. I'm going to try the masking tape trick later this evening, but I may pick your brain about the glue you used. Thanks. The hot knife is another good idea. I will post a photo of the mesh and instructions later tonight.

Thanks, I will give that a try. Thanks, I've been doing that for final trimming, but initial cutting to the pattern is the hard part. Thanks, I like the chopping idea. I've been pulling the blade across the mesh, which makes it move. Some of the cuts are curves, I don't know how I'll "chop" those. Thanks, I haven't tried that, but I suspect it would take more than pins to hold this stuff in place.

Unfortunately, no. It has to match the pattern really well, and then be placed down in a hollow. Thanks for the reply.

I'm working on a kit that involves cutting plastic mesh to match a pattern printed in the instructions. So far, I've been taping the mesh over the pattern and cutting it with a razor blade. This works, but the mesh still wants to flex and move around, so this method is not optimal. Just wondering if there is a better way. Any suggestions?

If you can find a custom glass shop near you, they should be able to make whatever you need. 1/4 inch plate glass with ground edges would be fine, although tempered would be better (more money). Be prepared, glass is expensive! Your photos don't show what kind of shelf supports your cabinet uses, but if they are the pins that fit in holes in the cabinet sides, those are available at home center/ hardware stores, and certainly online. There are two sizes, 1/4 inch and 5 mm. I bet IKEA uses 5 mm, but definitely check first. Hope that helps.

Thanks, Scott!

I'm in the process of building that Bonneville. So far it's a really great kit. Hope you enjoy yours!

Thanks, Larry! Thanks, Bob! Thanks, Bob!

It's a rough life...

Thanks, Carl!

Great job! I've also done this kit, so I know what you mean about the masking, but you nailed it. Nice work on the engine and interior too.

Wow, that is amazing! Incredibly realistic!

Thanks, Chris!

Thanks, Keith! Thanks, Ricky! Thanks, David! Thanks, James! Thanks, EMRE! The interior is Testors "Flat Tan". I may have added some brown to it to darken it. Thanks, David! Thanks, Craig! Thanks, Tim! Thanks, Bill!

Thanks, David!

Thanks, Jeff!

Thanks, Andy! Thanks, David!

Thanks, Michelle!

AMT kit. Straight out of the box. The paint is Testors square bottle "Arctic Blue". The only gripe I have with this kit is the width of the wheels and wheel backs. Unless I did something wrong, they are way too wide to fit the tires. I had to mill them down as much as possible, and they're still wider than they should be. Overall, though, fun to build.

Thanks, David! Thanks, Ken!

Thanks, Jeff!