Fireman Tim

My Feedback: (3)

Cutting out hatches using sewing string.

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb8fRYrq4pA&feature=related]Cutting out Hatches[/link]

I found this on You Tube tonight. Its a great idea that I will have to try.

wackywheelz

Common knowledge lol, but I'm sure some people havent seen it. Video is good guide for those who havent tried before

EDIT: safety glasses for using a pin vise is... um... extreme

Roscoe_Burdick

Fireman Tim,

Thanks for the post. Is there a way we can get info like this in the FAQ section?

philipat

Thanks for the post. I was wondering how folks keep removing their hatches to relocate the switches. Now, I just need to figure out how they reattach them. Hinges, I assume; but where do they get the tiny hinges from? [>:]

Fireman Tim

My Feedback: (3)

I think you can them at a hobby shop that sells wooden doll house parts.

speedpro440

I never would have thought of that. Thanks for the post as I was planning on using a dremmel which would be a messy cut.

Panther F

The trick is to use the stock (like the Sherman) molded in hinge. After it is cut out, use the pin vise and a very small hardened bit to drill both hinges with the hatch lid in place, so you only drill one hole straight through.

speedpro440

Panther,

What would you use for a pin if you were to use the molded hinge?

Panther F

Depends on the size of the hole that is made. A straight pin is one idea. Leave the 'head' on and cut off what is not needed.

Jeff489

My Feedback: (12)

I used my dremmel with a very small drill bit. Works like a router. It will melt the plastic like butter. Very controllable, just remove the slag frequently or it'll get messy as mentioned by speedpro440. Cut the hole slightly undersize, and then use sandpaper or an emery board to finish it off. I've used it to cut out many things on my tanks, and it's alot faster than the thread method.

SCAT PATTON

Nice job on the video, thanks for taking the time to share it with us.

Well done!

swathdiver

Make them out of brass sheet and rod.

123Splat

RE PantherF's hinge method. I have found that it is a might easier to drill out the hinge pin hole before you cut out the hatch. That is, providing that you have adequate mass in the molded hinge (not always so). Also, have used copper wire from telephone jack wiring; insert the stiff copper wire into hinge pin hole (after cutting out the hatch) to get the length, pull it back out, cut to length, peen the ends slightly and drive back in. Most times you don't need it, but CA or body putty on the outside ends of the hinge help hold the wire in place.

Panther F

That'll work too. [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

Just may have to clean the hole some after the hatch is cut out.

philipat

great ideas...thanks.


Is that how you reattached the covers for your charging and switch ports on your Panzer III build? I was looking at recently and like the way you did it. I could see where the cuts were made and that the covers were reattached. But, I could see the mechanism for reattaching the covers and holding them in place.

fv432

here's my take on it using the string method
the hinges were made using evergreen tubing and a rivet tail