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[timbo]

Hi
New to the forum and boat building, what is the best way to cut out windows accurately and neatly on superstructures, I use modeling knives and straight edges but it never has that real neat finished look, am hoping that you accomplished boat builders can help me perfect the techniques.

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Timbo,

... and welcome to the Mayhem!

No easy way to cut out windows, unless you have a laser cutter or CNC machine!
If many of the windows are the same size, you could try making up yourself some sort of die punch.
Some modellers have used clear plastics and just masked the windows and painted.

What material are you cutting the windows into?

[Martin (Admin)]

also, look here:   http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,47297.msg512954.html#msg512954

[NFMike]

I use modeling knives and straight edges but it never has that real neat finished look, am hoping that you accomplished boat builders can help me perfect the techniques.

1/ Welcome.

2/ Windows are a royal pain in the butt!

3/ If your skills with knives and files aren't good enough another trick is to make the cut-outs oversize and then line them with strip material, such as styrene. Any slight gaps between the lining and panel can be filled.
Quite often the prototype for these windows will have a frame or raised lip round them anyway and the 'lining' can be fitted slightly proud to simulate this if desired.

[sparkey]

I had this problem years ago so I made a punch out of sheet brass which was in the odd bits draw,cut out a strip and formed  with pliers soldered the end file up clean, sharpened on fine stone took a hour or so to do but when you have about forty windows to cut out it saves time and temper and they all look the same which is hard to achieve doing one at a time.  ray.

[Colin Bishop]

If you are using plasticard or thin plywood then the method suggested by Deans Marine works well. Use a sharp scalpel to score the perimeter of the window and then score between the corners. Drilling a very small hole on the inside of each corner first limits the likelihood of the cut extending too far. It is usually then possible to push out the four triangular bits in the middle. Then carefully use a steel straight edge and scalpel to pare away any unevenness as necessary.

Colin

[Capt Podge]

I use the method as described by Colin Bishop - usually finish them off with needle files
 
For plasticard see here: www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,47660.0.html
 (reply no.9)
 
Same goes for 3mm ply - Stanley knife used in both cases, just be careful and always use a fresh blade
 
Regards,
 
Ray.

[tugnut]

I had the same problem so i used plastic strip on my one.

[Brian60]

door hinge  corner punch. This is a small right angle chisel held in a spring loaded carrier. You hit it with a hammer and it cuts out the corner for you.

I bought one it was blunt and required a bit of work to sharpen the cutting edges, I also did away with the aluminium body and just use the punch. About  a fiver from an auction site.

[timbo]

Thanks everyone all the comments are really useful, it now gives me some ideas for my main project, at the moment I am restoring the clam dredger Kelly and Bonny once this complete I will move on to starting  the biggie Dutch Courage from model slipway.