Scratch building small details

[Mr. Canoehead]

I'm working on a scratch built shuttlebay from 1701-A for the Polar Lights Refit Enterprise. For the record it's comming along better than I thought it could turn out. One problem I'm having though is keeping some of the angles square (90 degrees) I found that the mesurments are getting down to half millimeters and those half millimeters can make or break a model.

One part that I'm having problems with reqires some sanding yet still needs to be 90 degrees and perfectly flat. It's a peice thats about 2.5 millimeters wide and about 2.5 centemeters long. It has to maintain the 2.5 millimeter thickness and I want it as straight as possible; any tips would be great.

One thing I did try that may come in handy for others is to use a door hinge with two clamps with the plastic in the door hinge the edge of the hinge keeps things pefectly straight while filing it down however its to bulky for my problem.

[Kylwell]

Ah, you hav discovered the old (or new) axiom; You're only as accurate as you measure.

What you need is an angle plate. Handy for all sorts of things, but mostly for making sure things are 90°.

[Mr. Badwrench]

I agree with kylwell that an angle plate will come in handy. But I think that a pair of calipers are indispensable. By using calipers to check your work periodically as you shape it, you can achieve a high degree of precision. Plus or minue .002 inches anyway, (.05mm).