Cuttting Lexan Bodies?

[myth619]

Does anyone have any other methods for cutting lexan bodies besides scissors, razor knives, or the special curved lexan scissors? Im going to be doing some major surgery to a cherokee body and want to get the most accurate cut possible and in doing some test cuts on an old body the above methods are either too hard to control or leave a jagged edge. Thanks for your input.

[theiceman72]

I cut lots of bodies up. I find that the best final product I get with lexan curved scissors.

[myth619]

Originally Posted by theiceman72

I cut lots of bodies up. I find that the best final product I get with lexan curved scissors.

I have a pair of those and maybe theyre getting dull but there are some areas that the cut comes out like a saw tooth when the material gets thick or on a compuond curve....

[AG74683]

Originally Posted by myth619

I have a pair of those and maybe theyre getting dull but there are some areas that the cut comes out like a saw tooth when the material gets thick or on a compuond curve....

Thats when you cut a bit farther out and dremel it down.

Seriously, the best tools to use are the curved lexan scissors and a dremel with a sanding drum on the lowest speed for those hard to get places.

[Meatwad]

I'll second the dremel and/or some good ole elbow grease along with some 80grit sand paper.

[ik632]

For regular lexan I still find that my best results are by using a brand new blade and I have a few blocks of wood that I prop under the body for support as I score the body. Then I just peel it away. I use the curved scissors in the corners or to get it started. After that I might follow up with the dremel drum sander on low speed. I'll use the knife blade scraping backwards to remove any fuzzies on the edge.

[ceedawwg]

Originally Posted by ik632

For regular lexan I still find that my best results are by using a brand new blade and I have a few blocks of wood that I prop under the body for support as I score the body. Then I just peel it away. I use the curved scissors in the corners or to get it started. After that I might follow up with the dremel drum sander on low speed. I'll use the knife blade scraping backwards to remove any fuzzies on the edge.

I second the score and tear method...after 20 or so bodies I found this leaves the cleanest edge. You just have to be careful not to slip when scoring...damage to fingers and RC bodies will occur.

[theiceman72]

I tried to use the razor method before and I damn near took my fingers off. LOL. Too dangerous for my taste.

[Solitaire]

As stated above...a good sharp pair of Lexan curved and just cut below the line about 1/4" to get rid of all the unwanted material and navigating compound curves. Then trim it to the line.

Finish up with the dremel if there are small radius curves to negotiate. Then some sandpaper to remove any slight humps on the straight cuts.

[spiderxx]

I find cuttin closest to the line you make or is scribed into the body and then finishing it off, like the rest of em said, by using a dremel or sanding it is best.
If you use the razor blade its best to use a straight edge and then cut but dont try to cut it in one shot. Scribe it then do it over and over till you get thru. Using the razor does get ya sore finger tips and can get out of control with it too.

[j-bird]

I personally use my dremel with a saw blade 64t it does a fine job and it's 3/4 in dia. But I used to use a razor and just make a good score mark then bend the lexan and it'll pop right on the score mark then you can clean it up with a dremel or good ol sandpaper


J-bird

[akaupp]

I use a fresh razor because I'm too cheap to buy lexan scissors.

[myth619]

Thanks the all the ideas. Razor blade idea makes me nervous as I have plenty reminders ( in the was of scars ) of when I missed. I guess its time to dust off the Dremal. What grit sanding drum do you recommend?

This is the look Im going after, No roof, highley modified rear quarters etc.....