Cockpit kit tools
 

I have always used scissors to cut the vacuum formed plastic with mixed results.

What tools do yo use for accurate cutting, boring large holes , etc...

In the "assembly vids" they don't show the actual cutting. Thanks

You might check out the RC Car people. They have curved scissors for cutting the Lexan car bodies. Good luck.

When I said "scissors" I meant the Lexan scissors.

Since the plastic is fragile in the cornes, I was wondering if there are any other tools that would be better.

When cutting vacuum formed pieces, I have (after much trial and error) found it best not to try to cut right up to the final edge of the part. Instead, I use scissors, snips, a sharp knife, or whatever is convenient to rough out the shape, leaving a small amount of material which I sand or file away to the final edge.

For larger parts, I will use blue masking tape to mark off the final line, then use a rotary sanding drum in my Dremel to clean up to the line. For smaller parts, I use a bit of sandpaper stuck to a popsicle stick, dowel, or some other suitable "stick". For very tight corners, I use a set of needle files for the final clean-up. If you need a good square edge (e.g.; two halves of a set of wheel pants), lay down a bit of sandpaper on flat surface and carefully slide the part on it (rather than sliding the sandpaper) for 2 or 3 light passes to square up the edge.

I have used the straight, curved, body post reamer, lexan scissors, straight and curved nail scissors, nail clippers, dremel with sanding drums, large, small, dowels with sand paper glued on, belt sander, drum sander, nail files, micro files, just about anything I could grab to get the job done. Some of the smaller pieces can be a bear to cut without splitting them.

Worst one I did was a really nice kit where everything came pre painted. All of the polystyrene pieces for the cockpit interior, wheels were (2) pieces that had to be cut from the flat sheet, pilot, pieces and parts. Took almost an hour to fit the wheels together. She did look good when done.

Buzz.

Another tip for small or fragile parts is to fill the part with soft modeling clay or something similar to give the part some stiffness while doing the final bit of trimming, then (of course) clean it out when done.

I do the same thing. Watch out with the dremel tool though. If you get too happy with it, heat will build up and start to partially melt the plastic. Also, it may leave a stringy edge. I run my fingernail down the edge to keep a clean line.

carl