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The Builder
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Builder Last Online: Jun 2022
Model Scale: 1/8
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Started: 10-19-10
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I thought, since I was back in the automotive area for the SMC show and contest, I'd show some of the problem solving I'm doing with the 1/12 57 Chevy. I was surprised that a model this size doesn't have opening doors. Given the level of detail I planned for this model, it really needs opening doors. There are some heavy challenges with this kind of procedure but I'm going to show a way to make the challenges alot easier.
If you've built the Big Deuce, that is sort of like opening molded doors but the kit comes with all the parts you need to do this. Same thing with the 1/12 scale Cord. Not so with the 57. If you've built the 1/8 scale Vette, you can see the same challenge there. Let's take this job step by step.
The first thing you'll need to do is your research. You need to make sure you know where your cutting lines start and end. Photo 1 and 2 show those lines where you need to cut. I just accentuated the line with a black Sharpie. The next thing you need to do is the actual cutting. I did mine using the back of the tip of my #11 Xacto blade, scraping
in the door ruts until I break through. I used a jeweler's saw where I could fit it. If your cut is not straight, that's not a problem. You can always do some touch up with
styrene
. Next, you need to do the same thing with the interior. This is the last photo in the set. Originally I left it out. Check your research and go. For these straight cuts, I used a razor saw.
Now, here's the problem. The only surfaces that come together are at the top of the door where your window comes from. How do you know how thick your door needs to be? The two pieces will come together like a clam shell. There are other ways to do this but this was the easiest for me.
Once your doors are cut, tape the parts back into place. You can see the size of the space you need to close from the next photo. Here's the fun part. I took two pieces of 1/8 inch thick styrene
and trimmed them until they fit the space without being loose or without pushing the door halves too far apart. I then cemented them (and this is the most important part) and let the glue joints completely
cure
. I cut the tape and remove the door. Closing up the spaces will be complicated but that's for next time. :)'
If you've built the Big Deuce, that is sort of like opening molded doors but the kit comes with all the parts you need to do this. Same thing with the 1/12 scale Cord. Not so with the 57. If you've built the 1/8 scale Vette, you can see the same challenge there. Let's take this job step by step.
The first thing you'll need to do is your research. You need to make sure you know where your cutting lines start and end. Photo 1 and 2 show those lines where you need to cut. I just accentuated the line with a black Sharpie. The next thing you need to do is the actual cutting. I did mine using the back of the tip of my #11 Xacto blade, scraping
in the door ruts until I break through. I used a jeweler's saw where I could fit it. If your cut is not straight, that's not a problem. You can always do some touch up with
styrene
. Next, you need to do the same thing with the interior. This is the last photo in the set. Originally I left it out. Check your research and go. For these straight cuts, I used a razor saw. Now, here's the problem. The only surfaces that come together are at the top of the door where your window comes from. How do you know how thick your door needs to be? The two pieces will come together like a clam shell. There are other ways to do this but this was the easiest for me.
Once your doors are cut, tape the parts back into place. You can see the size of the space you need to close from the next photo. Here's the fun part. I took two pieces of 1/8 inch thick styrene
and trimmed them until they fit the space without being loose or without pushing the door halves too far apart. I then cemented them (and this is the most important part) and let the glue joints completely
cure
. I cut the tape and remove the door. Closing up the spaces will be complicated but that's for next time. :)'Build Photos
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