Cutting multiple Identical parts in Styrene

andyr · Post by **andyr** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:38 pm

Gents,

I submit a request for assistance from experienced and not so experienced model builders.

I'm working with styrene and plan on making the a 1/6th scale commanders hatch, now I have the basic shape of the copula all sorted out, I have the basic periscope roughed out all in styrene. What I’m trying to work out is how to do the hinges.

The hinges are approx 1" in true scale so that would make them around 4mm, in scale thickness, so what’s the best way to make up a hinge 4mm thick in styrene.

1) Cut initial hinge out in 2mm styrene.
2) Glue to blank 2mm plate.
3) Cut around old part and through the blank, thus having two identical parts.

This works ok, but leaves the edges a bit rough, I suppose filling with squadron green putty and filling smooth could be the answer, would it be better to wrap thin sheet styrene (0.1mm) around the laminated plates and then sand to complete to try and get a square or almost square edge?

Also how do you make two entirely independent parts which you don't want to laminate together identical, i.e. I want two hinges the same, so I am going to use stick back sellotape to hold the parts together and do the same idea as above....... I intend to match drill all the components into position once they are jigged in position not before .........................seen too many c*ck up in industry to know that drilling separately doesn't work often enough to guarantee success........

Also does anyone have a good source of cheap sheet styrene, I have tried modellers mate but they are always engaged or not answering the phone...............

PS I have searched the forum and I have spent a fair bit of time looking into various aspects of scratching building on this site and so far am gobsmacked by the skill shown.....

Cheers
AndyR

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu May 15, 2008 6:30 pm

Generally, with hinges, I start off with tubes. Brass, aluminum, styrene. Use telescoping tube to build your hinge pin out of, tack all the pieces in place with CA and finish with some putty.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:25 pm

Hi Andy,
Welcome to the forum. From your use of words that are unfamiliar to me, I take it you're not in the USA. I can't help you with finding a sheet styrene seller-- we have it growing on trees around here, so we just go out and gather what we need. Really, if you scrounge around your household you may be able to find all kinds of sheet plastic (especially the clear stuff that almost every clamshell package is made from these days).

Your technique for laminating sounds good. If I were you, I'd use CA glue instead of putty to fill the edges. It works a lot faster than putty. For making multiple identical parts out of sheet styrene, I draw templates on my PC and print them onto cheap label paper. Then I just stick the labels onto my sheet and cut out the shapes. If you print the drill marks on your template, you should have no problem getting consistent results. Also, the flush cutters that most of us use for cutting parts from sprues work really well for trimming out small parts from sheet styrene.

Hope this is helpful,
Joseph

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Fri May 16, 2008 5:01 am

Welcome Andy. One of the easiest ways to make duplicate parts is to stick together as many sheets of styrene as you need with double sticky tape, or better yet, white glue. Sometimes it helps to rough the parts out first, but once they are stuck together finish the shapes with files and sandpaper. Drill any holes you need at this time too. Once they are finished, soak them in warm water or alcohol to loosen the tape or glue.

I don't have any idea where in the wide world you live, but there is a good chance you can find For Sale signs or Keep Off The Grass signs just about anywhere. A lot of these are made of styrene, and they are a whole lot cheaper than buying those tiny packs of Evergreen. If you can find an industrial plastics wholsaler in your local telephone directory, you can get styrene even cheaper, 4' x 8' sheets, (157cm x 315cm) for ten or fifteen dollars.

The Mad Klingon · Post by **The Mad Klingon** » Fri May 16, 2008 5:29 am

Depending on the shape of the part - you might consider making an original out of styrne and casting copies out of resin...that's what I would do.

andyr · Post by **andyr** » Fri May 16, 2008 3:04 pm

Gentlemen,

Thank you all very very much for your feedback on my wee problem.

Just some feedback on who I am:-

I live in Aberdeen, Scotland in the UK. I'm building a 1/6th scale model tank. I'm a 31 year old Engineer (married with two kids 3 and 1).

I'm studying all your suggestions and I'll let you know how I get on.

I've found a couple of UK suppliers thanks. I'll post some piccies of my handywork at the end of the weekend for advice on improvements.

Cheers
Andy

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Fri May 16, 2008 5:54 pm

From your use of words that are unfamiliar to me, I take it you're not in the USA

What was unfamilar? Need some translations

Don't know about cheap sheet styrene. I have a local supplier in the Wakefield area but thats a bit out of your way from up in Aberdeen.

Have you tried contacting Wonderland Models in Edinburgh? I can't say for sure that they have styrene sheet, plastruct etc but they are worth a try. I don't usually order from them but make a point of tracking down their stands at airshows.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:13 pm

tonyG2 wrote:[
What was unfamilar? Need some translations

Hmm... let's see: "stick back sellotape," "gobsmacked," and "mm." Those terms are totally foreign to me

Post by **TER-OR** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:30 pm

El-Cheapo alternative to RTV rubber and resin:

Silicone caulk and 30-minute epoxy (or epoxy putty).

Styrene sheet can also be found in your DIY store as For Sale signs etc. It won't be thick, so you may need to laminate.

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Sat May 17, 2008 12:07 am

Translation Service Enabled:

Stick Back Sellotape = double sided sticky tape

Gobsmacked = astonished, stunned, astounded. Literally, to be struck dumb as if by a smack in the face. ...

Hey, you think we have it easy asking for basic products over there

I mean who came up with the word "spackle" instead of the infinitely more understandable pollyfiller....?

Post by **TER-OR** » Sat May 17, 2008 5:17 pm

Cellotape - cellophane tape.

Spackle is a thin plaster for filling irregularities and cracks in walls. Not much of a stretch. Repairing the exterior cement on our house foundation was essentially surface correction on a big scale. That I can do!