Bobbing a Hilux

[Rook82]

Hey guys,
just wondering what techniques you used to get a strait cut when bobbing a Hilux bed. I guess this could be for cutting in general. I have done some stuff with styrene, abs before. but cutting the material strait is not a strong point for me. I was thinking of just using masking tape to set my cut lines, but what is a good way to cut? I usually use a Dremel and some sort of bit or disc for the job. I have not tried the thread cutting yet. Seems like it would take quite a while for the amount of cutting at hand.

I have seen some very nice neat and clean bob jobs on some of the truck beds on here. Just looking for some tips before I ruin a bed and have to truggy it

[old man 52]

I cut mine on a band saw, nice and straight.

[greenjk]

It doesn't really matter what you cut it with, if your not happy with the cut lines use a file or a piece of sand/emery paper on a flat surface such as a sheet of glass to get to two cuts perfect before joining.

[tozrovr]

Mark, Heath has some saws that are perfect for this. They look a lot like dozuki saws

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by Rook82

I have not tried the thread cutting yet. Seems like it would take quite a while for the amount of cutting at hand.

Hit your local drugstore or Wal-Mart and pick up some heavy carpet thread. And some masking tape to guide you if you don't have any.

The thread cutting takes a little getting used to, but once you have it down you'll find it's very easy to follow a line or tape edge by pulling the thread one way or the other. You can even cut "around corners" with thread, which no blade will be able to do. It's not as slow as it seems like it'll be once you get the hang of it...

[Rook82]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will post results "if" I go through with it. Rig still hasn't been run yet and is about ready. Needs some more exterior stuff done (rockers, finish bumper(s), possible exo on just cab, hook up winch, detail painting, etc). I am going to run it first full bed and see how much it gets in the way and go from there.

Before: