TOPIC:

Hello!!!!
Not sure if this is the right forum for this. It deals with restoration of my Vintage Striker in a way. This is more of a modification question.
I have just installed the CRP front suspension kit on my Striker and CVAs. The only thing is, for the top body section to be able to fit over the new shock tower, I have to cut away a small shaped notch in the plastic. This is where I need your help. I have made a template with the shape that needs to be cut out. Im just a little hesitant right now and need some Ideas on how to go about doing so. I was thinking about using a tiny drill bit to create a dotted line and then maybe use a very fine coping saw blade to cut it out.
Anyone out there have any other techniques for cutting small notches from plastic bodies.?
Here is a picture of the new kit installed and a picture of the template held up against the body with the shape that needs to be cut out. It's just a piece of paper I am gonna refine the shape a little, but this is the basic idea.

If you haven't yet, invest in a decent dremil with plenty of assorted bits. I've got my Pop's dremil, it's still going strong & is way better than what's available today.

rcmadkiwi wrote:

If you haven't yet, invest in a decent dremil with plenty of assorted bits. I've got my Pop's dremil, it's still going strong & is way better than what's available today.

I do have a dremel. So many bits to choose from. Im just not sure what to use on this plastic without having it crack or have chunks of it flying off as soon as I touch the tool to it.

When cutting plastics, I use the Dremel with a cutting wheel, something like on the picture below.
Just make sure to have low speed on the Dremel, or the plastic may melt from the heat.

In this case I would cut the vertical lines with the cutting wheel, and then drill, like you mentioned, a row of tiny holes with a drill bit for the horizontal lines.

You will probably need to sand the edges by hand to get them decent after the drilling.

On the other hand, Jonny Retro knows much more about this than I do

J.Harv wrote:

...

I do have a dremel. So many bits to choose from. Im just not sure what to use on this plastic without having it crack or have chunks of it flying off as soon as I touch the tool to it.

My bit of choice for work like that would be a 3mm straight cylinder burr for most of the shaping & probably finish off with engineers files and/or needle files. Probably a "rough" pass with the Dremel at least 1mm from the final edge, one a bit closer, then file. Rounded corners (especially in the top notch) will help avoid stress points & cracking later.

Rotary speed on the Dremel ought to be fast enough that material is chucked off the bit (wear eye protection ) but not so fast that it melts rather than be cut out of the way, or worse, sticks to the bit & turns it into a weedwhacker. (This will depend on technique, but I'd say 15,000 to 17,500rpm is a good starting point).

Direction - you'll find one way will tend to "weld" up the cut behind the bit (and/or gall up, making it kick), one will tend to keep the cut clear. That direction is usually one you're least comfotable with (for me, right to left or towards me)

Hand speed is down to experience, you don't want to go too fast & unduly strain the tool, but on the other hand spending too much time in one place will make the heat build up & cause melting.

Okay! Success.

I went with Jonny Retro's tool of choice on the dremel and it worked out great. Now the Striker has CVA's all around.
This suspension kit is really a great upgrade for a car that has pretty bad handling such as the Striker.
Just took it for a spin in the back yard and it handles really nicely. And with the new sport tuned motor I stuck on, it goes alot quicker too.

Thanks guys

Nice work mate .

That striker looks great

I've just remembered I've got a curved set of scissors for cutting RC bodies. I tend to put insulation tape along the side I want to remain to make sure I get it right.