Roger Newsome Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 I've lost count how many times I've read of people breaking the control stick when attempting to remove it from the sprue, including myself, however I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself following the successful removal of the said item and thought I'd share my technique. All you need is a blob of blu tac and a sharp knife. 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picard Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 He,he, mine came attached on the sprue moulded in two broken unusable parts in the first place, although I was quite pleased with my fix of a quick measure, then stretched sprue and Tamiya masking tape, at time I must admit, my column leather shroud even has folds in it. The only very minor flaw on a utterly brilliant kit for the money which turns into a fabulous looking classic bird in my very humble. Very good advice if the stick's in one piece, nice one. Cheers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 I keep getting an awful feeling I should have kept quiet about my minor triumph... disaster no doubt lurks around the corner. 😨 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Schilhart Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 Another fun part to separate from sprues is the antenna. Good luck! I've broke it each and every time ... I've built two Airfix Mustangs so far and have another one in stash. On two out of three kits the main gear legs were badly warped. It's difficult to get them straight as the plastic has 'memory'. For my next build I will use Scale Aircraft Conversions metal gear legs. But enough whining, the Airfix kit builds into a very nice model! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 This is my second one and I also broke the antenna on my first, come to think of it the legs were a bit warped too. I agree it does build into a nice model, my first one was only let down by my painting, the reason why I'm giving it a second try... and perhaps a third as I have another one. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 (edited) I have an old dental engine- the kind that you used to see in dental offices. It's basically an electric motor that has articulated arms that end in a handpiece that is driven by a fabric belt into which you can insert dental burrs/sanders/ bits or anything that can be attached to a Dremel tool. I use a metal cutoff disc, which is very thin, and it cuts small delicate pieces like the control column and antenna off of the sprue with no damage. I have a foot pedal which allows me to vary the speed from very low to high, so as to not melt the plastic. It is the perfect tool to remove fairings, blisters, and other raised details in no time at all. Mike Edited October 21, 2018 by 72modeler corrected spelling 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 1 hour ago, Roger Newsome said: I keep getting an awful feeling I should have kept quiet about my minor triumph... disaster no doubt lurks around the corner. 😨 Yes. I felt very smug getting my second one off in one piece but it didn't make it into the fuselage thus, don't know why I bothered. Steve. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 35 minutes ago, 72modeler said: I have an old dental engine- the kind that you used to see in dental offices. It's basically an electric motor that has articulated arms that end in a handpiece that is driven by a fabric belt into which you can insert dental burrs/sanders/ bits or anything that can be attached to a Dremel tool. I use a metal cutoff disc, which is very thin, and it cuts small delicate pieces like the control column and antenna off of the sprue with no damage. I have a foot pedal which allows me to vary the speed from very low to high, so as to not melt the plastic. It is the perfect tool to remove fairings, blisters, and other raised details in no time at all. Mike That sounds like a very good gadget to have in the armoury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 4 minutes ago, stevehnz said: Yes. I felt very smug getting my second one off in one piece but it didn't make it into the fuselage thus, don't know why I bothered. Steve. Sorry Steve, I shouldn't really have laughed at that but I couldn't help it. 😆 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Puff Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 I've built two, which are now awaiting paint. I got the control column off the runner both times with careful use of a JLC saw; sadly, when assembling the two fuselages one control column departed this world for another dimension - that one's getting built with the canopy closed! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazontipede Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Good advice to be sure! I'd just like to get one where the antenna isn't a shapeless blob of plastic! Lovely little kit otherwise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share Posted October 22, 2018 One little thing to add, you need to be extremely careful removing the control stick from the blu tak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Very good, Mr. Newsome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Excellent. I'll gjve that technique a go with my next one. Which is an excuse to buy a new one! Justin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturmovik Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 On 22/10/2018 at 11:05, Roger Newsome said: One little thing to add, you need to be extremely careful removing the control stick from the blu tak. The control stick can't be THAT weak, can it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 6 minutes ago, Sturmovik said: The control stick can't be THAT weak, can it? Maybe, maybe not but I didn't want to take any chances. 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Well, I haven't played with this particular kit, but the Airfix plastic is VERY soft/pliable/fragile, so I can entirely believe that it CAN be that weak. And yes, I LIKE Airfix, but I do wish they'd do something about their plastic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Puff Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 On 10/24/2018 at 6:57 AM, Sturmovik said: The control stick can't be THAT weak, can it? No, it's weaker! The combination of very soft plastic, a very finely moulded item and a largish gate means that the control column is very prone to breaking unless great care is taken when removing it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Hello all, I've been using "a hot blade technique" when dealing with parts and plastic like this. Use a good quality knife like X-Acto or Swan-Morton (all metal) and hold the blade above a candle for a while. Then let the hot blade "slide" through plastic. Do not use any force nor cut too close to the part. Then clean the part carefully with a knife and a fine sanding stick. Do some practice runs to know when the blade is at right temperature and you are cutting at the right pace. Cheers, Antti 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now