HPDblues[TK] Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 Greetings gang, I'm just throwing this out to my fellow stormtroopers for some advice: The majority here knows that I've been working exclusively with HIPS plastic the last few years. I recently purchased CT Armor from Kevin@OSCS for a 501st clonetrooper. I wanted to hear from y'all on the best way to cut & trim ABS plastic. Thanks to all. Aloha, T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkrestonva[TK] Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 For fast, easy, non-precision cuts I use tin snips. For detailed work, I prefer the score/snap method using a hobby knife. I prefer not to use the dremel, as I've found it tends to melt the ABS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiepilot1138[TK] Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I was able to cut mine with kitchen scissors (the big ones you use to cut bone with). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 I use my tin snips then my dremel sanding drum to get close to my lines, then scrape off any crap with a sharp knife and sand smooth with fine sand paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK 6918[501st] Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) Dremel does melt the plastic and makes it stink, but you can use it to get the rough cuts out of the way. I have gotten good enough with a dremel to trim the armor where I want to, and then simply sand off the edges. I don't recommend it though. If you use the "cutting blade" it can and will break in use and spread out like shrapnel I normally use the abrasive stones with a point on it. ---------- Edited January 4, 2022 by gmrhodes13 link not working removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatshock[501st] Posted March 30, 2009 Report Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) on my FX - I used scissors recently on some AP armour, i started with dremelling - but wasnt happy with it moved to a combination of score/sna[, tin snips and those small plastic cruved scissors for cutting plastic as recommended by stukatrooper: like these---------- having said all that - Kevins CT armour is really thick 0.125 ABS IIRC good luck tony! Edited January 4, 2022 by gmrhodes13 link not working removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-4510[TK] Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Score and snap. Thats THE way. Its fast and painless. ABS is very strong and will just pop at the score line. Take your time and make your scores deliberate and clean. Dont cut too hard. Score lightly and do the same line a few times. Make all your scores so that they have no sharp angles (no corners) if you can help it. Thats always worked for me. I tried a dremel saw and scissors but they are overkill and actually make the work harder I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-J Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 It's hard to use score'n'snap on some parts like the lower legs, due to the curvature. Having put about 4 of these kits together, I've found the best way is draw your line, cut with tin snips as best you can along the line, and then sand with 80 grit on the orbital. Your going to cover it with bondo or whatever to go seamless any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry19D Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 We're in this together, T! I also have OSCS armor that I'm working on turning into a 327th Star Corps CT. I actually used a combination of using snips and the score-and-snap method, depending on the pieces being trimmed. The snips are especially nice for working around curves or for when the trim lines aren't well-defined. I also used both a Dremel sanding bit and regular sandpaper to clean up the edges to the trim lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8776 jgarrettg Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Score and snap mostly but I'm going to be the odd ball here and say that I've had great results with a fine tooth Xacto hand saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus[TK] Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 T - I have Kev's armor. Snips on the curve parts, but highly recommend snap/score wherever possible since his armor is so thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThayNerd[TK] Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Score and snap. Thats THE way. That's what I do as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPDblues[TK] Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Thanks guys for your insights. It appears that I've done all of the above and most of you have already confirmed what I've discovered on my own journey. In my early footsteps I attempted to use a DREMEL tool with less than spectacular results - the plastic often times melted as it came off the piece I was working on. Using a sharp XACTO knife came next with the sliced fingers and thumbs to prove it. I then discovered the modeling "scissors" used by R/C model builders with great success - on .090 gauge HIPS anyway. Combined with tin snips and "score & snap" I know that I'm not alone in what techniques I'm using. Still, this ABS plastic (OSCS CT armor) is very intimidating so I'll have to get my courage up before I cut the first piece. (Did I hear "armor party" at the Man Cave?) Thanks again gang! T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus[TK] Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Using a sharp XACTO knife came next with the sliced fingers and thumbs to prove it. T Yep, I nearly sliced off a junk of my thumb early on in my build with the necessary but cursed Xacto. The doctor at the hospital was a little weirded out by the deep and severity of my cut. While he stitched me up he asked several different times how this happened. I really wanted to tell him - dude like I really wanted to slice off each digit at two inch chunks at a time. But bit my lip so he wouldn't give me a sloppy scar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPDblues[TK] Posted April 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 We're in this together, T! I also have OSCS armor that I'm working on turning into a 327th Star Corps CT. I actually used a combination of using snips and the score-and-snap method, depending on the pieces being trimmed. The snips are especially nice for working around curves or for when the trim lines aren't well-defined. I also used both a Dremel sanding bit and regular sandpaper to clean up the edges to the trim lines. How far along are you bro? I wanted to be finished by Halloween... Have you tackled the "spoons" yet? That REALLY scares me. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-4510[TK] Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I now use a glove a buddy gifted me that cannot be cut through easily. He said he got it from the safety dept at his work. I only wear it on the hand without the blade so I dont cut into it like I have before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry19D Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I have all the armor trimmed and cleaned up ready to begin assembly. I haven't gotten around to working on the calf "spoons" yet...I agree, that will probably be one of the most difficult parts of the whole suit to get right. I was nervous cutting the face off my helmet, but I think that was easy in comparison with the spoons... I think I'm going to enlist some help from a couple of garrison mates who have a lot of experience with clone armor to help me through the more difficult parts. I hope to have my suit all done by the beginning of summer. I have just about everything else for a 327th - just need to buckle down and assemble/paint/weather the darn thing! Good luck with your clone project, T - I know you'll do an awesome job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray1134[501st] Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I've done research on Clones and I could never quite wrap my head around the Spoons. Frankly I'm a little worried if the people on here are scared of tackling them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry19D Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 It's really a matter of wanting to get it right the first time with as minimum a fuss as possible, which means I'll definitely be taking my time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathstick Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) I'm waiting on my Anovos armor but in the meantime I bought a pair of these Kibaron gloves because I'd rather save the trip(s) to the walk-in. --------- Edited January 4, 2022 by gmrhodes13 link not working removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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