Window holes in styrene.

[jacon12]

I've always wanted to try scratch building, but the one time I did... when I got to the doors and windows... I didn't have a clue about how to cut them out with SQUARE corners.  Needless to say what a mess that was.  After this thread, heck.... I may try it again.  There's an old wooden country store down the road from me that I'd love to have on my layout.

JaRRell

[electrolove]

For cutting window or door openings in styrene, I suggest getting a square punch set.  These are steel squares with sharp edges that cut a perfect square in styrene -- 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8"

Mine is Brandy brand (!!?) which I am unable to find any info about but there are other makes.  I think crafters make use of them too.

You would use these to do the corners and then the usual methods to complete the opening.  It gives you a perfect 90 degree corner if used with care

Dave Nelson

The square punch set sounds like a very nice idea. Do you have any pictures to show of the punch set?

[devils]

Micro mark also do the nibbler tool that bites out about 5mm x 3mm chunks at a time. I drill a hole about 6mm for windows and then put the head through and open out the hole to whatever shape and then clean up with files. Works on Brass and nickel silver sheet as well which makes it very useful.

[dknelson]

For cutting window or door openings in styrene, I suggest getting a square punch set.  These are steel squares with sharp edges that cut a perfect square in styrene -- 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8"

Mine is Brandy brand (!!?) which I am unable to find any info about but there are other makes.  I think crafters make use of them too.

You would use these to do the corners and then the usual methods to complete the opening.  It gives you a perfect 90 degree corner if used with care

Dave Nelson

[CSX_road_slug]

Styrene is great, it's my #1 choice of material for scratch building and kitbashing.  Easy to cut, easy to cement.

[tatans]

Building an engine shed for logging steam locos, just etched in the wooden siding with a straight edge and a cutting knife, now about those window holes? there are about 14 windows in this creation so I went to my tool kit, got 3 very sharp, different size, wood chisels and a small piece of plywood and tapped out 14 window holes in @ 10 minutes, a quick fine file to clean up the inside and I'm done.You can use a small hammer or just lean down on the styrene(it's very forgiving) What's nice about styrene is I can draw the complete building right on the styrene. I was using an industrial adhesive which actually dissolves the styrene but also happens to be quite carconegenic, now I'm using plastic weld which is a lot easier on the lungs.