Cutting Plastic

[Primoscustoms]

So I Mostly use my dremel, but i have a question. If I want to cut a line in some plastic and lose the least about of mass..
Lets say I have a robot head, and i want to slice it down the middle, but when I place them together again the head lost too much space. Looks awkward. Is there was a to slice a smaller line and lose less??

[FREED]

good question. I'd guess that to have a proffessionaly cut piece of plastic you'd need access to some high-quality tools. I'm sure there are some good small sized razor saws specifically for cutting plastic. Trial and error for the head. just cut a WEEE bit hen test it out, if not, repeat. but I'm no pro...

[frenzyrumble]

good question. I actually had a similar problem this week. I was adding a new front end to the Universe Prowl figure (which has the center area separate allowing the head to fold up from inside. When I made my cuts, I lost a little material in between.

The best solution is the thinnest tool you can find to make the cut. I've been using a hot knife for the cuts (which is about as thick as an x-acto blade) I'd imagine one could make a cut wire (very thin) which would slice right through, but the melted plastic sometimes becomes an issue and will warp around the edges.

I'd go with a laser ;)

[BigHank]

Cotton thread! I'm working up a little tutorial (since I am currently using the technique on a project) that I was gonna add to the tricks of the trade forum (pays to go Pro!), but if there is enough interest I may post it here instead.:D

F_R, Like the new banner!

[enclinedesigns]

Hot knife or exact-o blade is best! Nothing like a little bit of plastic lost that can mess up a whole job.

[Boggs6ft7]

I've seen some really really think scroll saw blades, but this would require owning a scroll saw.

The other option would be to use two heads and rejoin them in a way that does not lose any material then throw away the other halves.

[Anovasinn]

its tough either way yo go either hot knife or razor saw. The way i make precision cuts is the back side of the exacto tip and score it to death. This does take allot of practice as well as allot of time each time you do it. the way you line up your cut is with the edge of masking tape make the tape two to three layers thick.

anxiously waiting for big hanks tutorial :domo-kun::domo-kun:

[Primoscustoms]

Cotton thread! I'm working up a little tutorial (since I am currently using the technique on a project) that I was gonna add to the tricks of the trade forum (pays to go Pro!), but if there is enough interest I may post it here instead.:D

F_R, Like the new banner!

Please post it here too if you dont mind.

[RyanUybengkee]

this is actually a good question.
dremel takes out a considerable amount of materials already. the least material that gets cut out is using a hacksaw. but the best one is an x-acto or a cutter.

one other solution but a bit expensive? buy two figures and just cut them both,then trim and trim til you get it right when putting them together again.

i havent tried that cotton thread though..looks pretty nifty.

[Hotwire]

X-Acto blade. Just lots of slow gentle cuts. Once you have your line, just add a little more pressue. will take a long time, but the results are very smooth.

[chipper]

I don't have a lot of experience working with the harder plastics the TF are made of. I know with the softer material that TMP uses you can heat them up and cut. 10 minutes in a 225 degree oven, or soaked in water that has been boiled and dumped in another container. That will help you to cut throught that plastic like butter with an exacto. I image some heating of the harder plastics would help te exacto cut.

I'm not sure what the melting point is for the plastic you are cutting.

[Lobo]

I've been using an Xacto Razor Saw for years. Works great and has minimal kerf.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKX96&P=ML

[frenzyrumble]

I've been using an Xacto Razor Saw for years. Works great and has minimal kerf.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKX96&P=ML

damn man, I've always seen those, and used to use them for cutting up wood, but never thought to use for customs. Excellent recommendation, gotta pick one of these up tonight.

[Sculpt-bot]

Yeah, as Lobo said, razor saws are the way to go. They come in a ton of different depths, and they are really versatile. They also last forever. I have had mine for a few years, and most of the blades I have purchased are still sharp as hell.