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Posted

Okay if wanted to etch extra panel lines, as if I was doing an aircraft themed build, how would I go about making each and every one, dead nuts straight and perfect? Running a tape line is not the most reliable, The blade/scriber isn't held as well as you might want. I'm thinking of making stencils with thin styrene, super-gluing it in place, scribe the line and then pop off the stencil and sand the glue off.

Anyone got any better ideas?

Posted

How about flexible scale. Still tape it out then hold scale up to tape line. Or maybe an olfa wheel blade to get It started then finish with xatco knife. The olfa won't get into tight corners, but might get you started.

Posted (edited)

I have tried thin brass sheet taped in place. It gives a hard, true line for the scribe to follow.

Edited by Foxer
Posted (edited)

I was given this suggestion here on the forums and it works great. Get yourself some Dymo label tape refills.Lay it down and use it as a guide.

fzm-Embossed-Plastic-Label-Letters-Numbe

Edited by Mike Chernecki
Posted

I like the Dymo tape idea.

Personally, I've had very good results using 3M green masking tape, and the tip of a fresh razor-saw to start the lines rather than a panel scribe or other round-handle tool.

I've found that drawing the saw-tip very lightly along the tape edge many times will start a shallow, straight crease quite nicely. It's then not too difficult to actually saw down the line, and the long straight blade tends to keep your line straight.

It's not really "easy" I guess, but with practice it has yielded excellent results for me.

I'll be posting panel lines I've cut on the nose of my current-build scratchbashed lakes car shortly.

Posted

I had to rescribe many of the panel lines on a resin 57 Nomad. After many botched attempts, my best result were using the Dymo and starting the line with the old school sewing needle following by #11 blade and/or razer saw or baremetal panel scriber. I punched out some circles of Dymo to do the rounded door corners. I think it was Ace-Garageguy that recommended the Dymo to me.

Posted

Me too. I didn't even know you can still buy that. Good stuff guys, thanks very much.

Btw, I got strange looks from the kid at the office supply store when looking for this. I finally went to eBay and got a pack of 6 rolls for a couple bucks.

Posted

Btw, I got strange looks from the kid at the office supply store when looking for this. I finally went to eBay and got a pack of 6 rolls for a couple bucks.

Maybe still available at Walmart?

Posted (edited)

Yo Joe (souhpier)...that's a great video. Even gives us shots of his hand-action and tool-holding so our mirror-neurons have visual triggers. Great background music, too. Thanks Joe!

Edited by Ace-Garageguy
Posted

I've done some experimenting. A thin piece of styrene from a yard sale sign and some double faced tape will do the job. Thanks very much everyone.

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