Scale Models - View Single Post

luker · 04-03-2008

All

I ve been a regular reader of the forums here and it has inspired me to build my own models, i am starting on sci fi models as i don’t need to be so exact with scale and accuracy. I use styrene sheet.

My problem is very basic I have been working on a sci fi tank and I ve done all the large parts easily cutting this by scoring and then snapping the card and cleaning up the resulting edge I have got some good clean results.

The issue is I am now trying to make small components such as working hinges etc to do this I need to make a small rectangle with a ring on the end I am ok cutting out the rectangle in thin styrene the ring I made using the punch and die set punching a large circle and then punching a smaller one I have glued the two together however there is no strength so it collapses when I try to use the hinge.

I cant use thicker sheet as when I do the rectangle just twits and distorts when I try to snap it out and I cant punch thicker sheeting. I have the same issue whenever I try to snap out any small shape from thick styrene.

My question really is I have around £500 to spend on tools that will allow me to cut out small shapes. I have tried to search the forums and the web but without knowledge of what I am looking for I am coming up with very little. I have found CNC machines which would work and at 10 times my budget its not an option. Can people shed some light on options that might be available?

I hope this is the most relevant forum for this question.

04-03-2008	#1 (permalink)
luker Hi I'm New Join Date: Mar 2008 Visit luker's Gallery Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Newbie help please All I ve been a regular reader of the forums here and it has inspired me to build my own models, i am starting on sci fi models as i don’t need to be so exact with scale and accuracy. I use styrene sheet. My problem is very basic I have been working on a sci fi tank and I ve done all the large parts easily cutting this by scoring and then snapping the card and cleaning up the resulting edge I have got some good clean results. The issue is I am now trying to make small components such as working hinges etc to do this I need to make a small rectangle with a ring on the end I am ok cutting out the rectangle in thin styrene the ring I made using the punch and die set punching a large circle and then punching a smaller one I have glued the two together however there is no strength so it collapses when I try to use the hinge. I cant use thicker sheet as when I do the rectangle just twits and distorts when I try to snap it out and I cant punch thicker sheeting. I have the same issue whenever I try to snap out any small shape from thick styrene. My question really is I have around £500 to spend on tools that will allow me to cut out small shapes. I have tried to search the forums and the web but without knowledge of what I am looking for I am coming up with very little. I have found CNC machines which would work and at 10 times my budget its not an option. Can people shed some light on options that might be available? I hope this is the most relevant forum for this question.