Drill out that door handle!

[sbk]

So cool, Glu!

[NOBLNG]

Bump! Maybe this should be a sticky? You definitely need a good quality drill bit for this operation. Last thing you want is your bit wandering off and damaging things beyond the point of no return.? I use a large darning needle to mark the spots to drill. I also cut a really skinny strip of #1000 sandpaper and use it like dental floss to smooth the inside of the handle.

[peteski]

Yes, that really improves the look of a model.

I used small dental burrs similar to these for this task.

I managed to do this on a 1/43 scale Corvette.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I would imagine that this technique can have it’s uses, and I’ve done something pretty similar in the past, but it’s so much simpler today to just buy a set of resin door handles from Fireball Modelworks.

the door handles he offers are extremely realistic and soooooo much easier to deal with.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited October 5, 2024 by StevenGuthmiller

[peteski]

LOL, in my case that model was build many years before Fireball even existed (or before I was on the Internet),  and as you agreed, the technique is still valid.  RMCoM also sells resin door handles, but again I don't think I knew about them. Plus in 1:43 scale, all those door 1:25 handles are useless!

Edited October 5, 2024 by peteski

[StevenGuthmiller]

6 minutes ago, peteski said:

LOL, in my case that model was build many years before Fireball even existed (or before I was on the Internet),  and as you agreed, the technique is still valid.  RMCoM also sells resin door handles, but again I don't think I knew about them. Plus in 1:43 scale, all those door 1:25 handles are useless!

Of course.

That’s why I said it has it’s uses.

Just offering a much easier alternative for the vast majority of applications.

 

 

 

Steve

[NOBLNG]

Some door handles are molded so poorly that they can’t be modified accurately….so it’s either live with them or replace them.? But if they are real nice it is relatively easy to fix them. It does take a steady hand, a sharp eye (6x cheaters?) and sharp tools. And the satisfaction is priceless.

[peteski]

13 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

It does take a steady hand, a sharp eye (6x cheaters?) and sharp tools. And the satisfaction is priceless.

True!  My usually magnifier of choice is Optivisor with a #7 lens plate,  but nowadays I also have stereo zoom microscope.

[ChrisBcritter]

Especially tough when the door handle has an indentation underneath it that has to come out smooth (early '60s Ford products).

[Chariots of Fire]

When Ibuilt the IH Loadstar master I made door handles from brass and put them in place.  When Dave Natale cast the cab he was able to cast it with the door handles and with the center open.  Great casting work by him.  The first casting that Dave sent me as I received it is below.