Reducing Resin safely?

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:44 am

Hi All.

Got a question for the guys that got more knowlegde than me with Resin kits.

I got a 1/24 Mecha/Robot kit that has a molded in hatch but I would like to remove the hatch and create a hollow in order to put a supplied pilot figure(Head/Chest) in it.

Is there a better method rather than simly scraping at the part till the desired depth is achieved, we are talking here between 3~4 mm of depth while maintaining the rectangular hatch shape?

Thanks, in advance for any replies.

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:34 am

I think that depends on how big the hole will be. I know you said you want it to be about 3 or 4 mm deep, but how wide and long is it? If it's small, you can remove most of the material by drilling out the center, then carving away at the corners with an exacto knife. If it is larger, you can drill a series of small holes around the perimeter, with larger ones inside, then carve out what is left. You don't have to worry about keeping the bottom of the hole very smooth, just fill it with putty or lay in a piece of styrene, cut to shape.

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:40 am

The Hole will be about 2cm square

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:11 am

2cm square, 3-4mm deep. Best bet is to drill a series of small holes around the perimeter, then wider holes to clear up the center, just like Mr. Badwrench said, THEN go in with a Dremel with a cylindrical cutting bit to even it out, 'cause that'll save you a lot of time.

Post by **TER-OR** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:35 pm

Usually I stand by a fan and use a moto-tool with a burr bit or sanding wheel or whatever - and blow the dust away from me. It can be kind of awkward to work with your arms out, so you might want to support the work on a surface.

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:46 am

Thanks, for the tips.

Kinda nervous about doing this on this kit as it is a very expensive Kit($250) and OOP.
The area is also in a very visible area, so I have decided on the following action plan.

Scribe the outlines of the molded in hatch multiple times to get a nice groove and than use wood carving tools to remove the resin in between.
Repeat process.
(Don't say they never teach you useful stuff at school(woodworking class).

Cleanup and smoothening should happen with putty and files.

The figure that goes into the opening has the folded hatch molded behind his back, which gives a good step for lineup during assembly.