Re: Resin vehicles - customizing

On 23-Sep-99 at 11:20, bbrush@rev.state.ne.us (bbrush@rev.state.ne.us)
wrote:
> Hi guys.
> 
> Ok the mad modelmaker is at it again (that would be me).  For those of
you
> who don't know me, I love to tinker with models when I'm making them,
if
> for no other reason than I have lots of fun doing it.
> 
> Anyway, a friend of mine gave me one of the Super-heavy dropships from
the
> micro-tac range, and I've got this uncontrollable urge to make it
> "functional". To this end I have cut open the rear loading section and
> hinged the drop door, and I've cut open the hollow upper part of the
hull to
> allow access from the rear.  The tricky part is going to be hollowing
the
> base suffiently.  :-) 
> 
> I know resin is just basically plastic, so it's fairly soft.	My first
> instinct is to grab my router and go to town, but I don't want to a)
> shatter the piece, or b) melt the resin onto my router bit.
> 
> On my first concern I don't _think_ it will shatter because I know the
> router has plenty of power and speed to do the job (2 hp plunge
router),
> although I will have to make damn sure the clamps are tight. :-)   The
> second concern is more of an issue, but I think if I were to take it
slow
> enough it will be ok. Unfortunately the router isn't variable speed so
I'm
> stuck at the full 30,000 rpm.
> 
> Anyone got a better idea or experience doing this?

I'd use a dremel rather than a router.	All the epoxy and resin I've
dealt with (mostly epoxy) is extremely heat sensitive.	With a 
dremel you have for more control than a 2hp plunge router.  If you
MUST use the router I'd use a router table.

Another solution could be a wood burner.  I'd try it on a piece of
resin first to see how it handles it.

If you want to go to all this work, why not make a mold, cast one
of your own modified for what you want.  Obviously you can't sell
it, and it is too much hassle to duplicate existing ones if you
just want a duplicate, but for mods it could be the way to go.

Roger (trying to resin cast HH ships, not satisfied with the results
       yet)