How to cut circles?

[Greg Kimsey]

Hi folks. How does everone cut perfect circles when making custom part. You can see in these photos I have tried to cut a round clear part to replace the poor plastic piece for the instrument panel if a 1/72 Grumman Hellcat model. The white squares on the mat are 1/2" squares so the piece I am making is teeny! I used a circle template and scored with a needle tool to cut part way through the plastic then finished with an Xacto knife. Is there a better way?

 

[jeaton01]

A selection of punches are what I use. Some cheap others dear, this is what the more expensive set will look like, though MicroMark is convenient it is not always best.
https://www.micromark.com/Micro-Punch-Set

 

[Rhino]

Micro Punch Set, Easy to use, Includes 9 punches from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, Make perfect disks in wood, plastic, veneer, cloth, metal, cork, rubber, vinyl, and more

Micro Punch Set.Toolmaker-grade micro punch set makes perfect miniature disks from plastic, wood veneer, cloth -- even metal 83513.

www.micromark.com

I have an ancient Waldron Products punch set. I use it a bunch. I don't think they're available any longer.

 

[Rhino]

A selection of punches are what I use. Some cheap others dear, this is what the more expensive set will look like, though MicroMark is convenient it is not always best.
https://www.micromark.com/Micro-Punch-Set

Jinx, John!

 

[errains]

Considering the sizes that you are trying to make, 1/72 scale. I suggest using Future/ Pledge floor clear floor wax. Use a brush and just dab it where it needs to go. it may take several coats to get it where you want.

Here is the Wax from Amazon...

 

[Piet]

Or get some

and ad some tiny drops on to your instrument panel,

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Like this maybe?
10Pcs Leather Hole Punch Cutter 0.5mm-5mm Round Hollow Hole Punch Set, Leather Working Tools Leather Craft Punch Tool Kit https://a.co/d/4cTVytU

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Considering the sizes that you are trying to make, 1/72 scale. I suggest using Future/ Pledge floor clear floor wax. Use a brush and just dab it where it needs to go. it may take several coats to get it where you want.

Here is the Wax from Amazon...

I have that! I use it to pre coat for decals. I have never built a 1/72 anything before. I like 1/48 and 1/35 normally, but I had this kit laying around at the store and couldn't sell it.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Lately on instrument panels I have been mixing up a little clear resin and carefully fill them till they are level. As the clear resin takes a while to set up, I then go away for a day. It does give a real nice flat shiny surface and you can see the instrument down through it as if it isn't even there.

 

[jknaus]

The best circle cutter I have ever found and used is the DSPAIE Circle cutter. Very small circles can be made with it. I did a review of it and posted this you tube video I found.

DSPIAE circular cutter

Has anyone purchased one of these? I am considering buying one to help make the Norwegian markings on my PBY and am just wondering if anyone has purchased and used them since they aren't cheap. I currently have a cheap circle cutter from Michaels but it's not that great!

modelersalliance.org

James

 

[moon puppy]

Wait you're cutting clear parts for faces on an IP...in 1:72? Forgetaboutit...
I'd go with the Future option if you really feel like you need to do it. 1:72 IP on a wildcat is going to be lost pretty fast.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Wait you're cutting clear parts for faces on an IP...in 1:72? Forgetaboutit...
I'd go with the Future option if you really feel like you need to do it. 1:72 IP on a wildcat is going to be lost pretty fast.

No, not the instrument panel faces. It looks like a clear gun site that sits on top of the panel. The model had the piece molded in opaque square plastic but the part on the plane is round and clear.

To fill in IP dials I have been using UV resin made for tying fishing flies. It is activated by a UV flashlight and dried hard in 10 secinds.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Little round pieces, you will need a punch set. I have both of the original Waldron punch sets and use them often. When I was at the Chattanooga Nationals there was someone there that was selling Waldron tools and if I remember correctly, had the 2 punch sets brand new. Don't remember now who they were, but if you search you should be able to find some small punch sets. I would check Micro Mark as one possible source.

 

[errains]

Waldron P&Ds can be a bit hard to find...UMM-USA has a set of P&D as well.