Modeler's corner in the hot rod magazines was how I learned tips back in the 90s, I had no clue where else to get tips. I learned how to chop top, make new windows and run fiber optics to make head lights, tail lights and the dome light inside. I just started the hobby again with my son and thank God we have a means for information to be looked up in an instant, I didn't want to just paint and assemble with my boy.
That is OUTSTANDING!!! I never even thought of using a wood burner! I'm gonna try this with that AMT frieghtliner that seems to give everyone fits glueing on the sleeper portion! Great idea,and thanks for sharing!
Your technique of "welding" the plastic makes me remember the "Spin Welder" plastic welding toy. You can do the same thing with a piece of polystyrene rod and a die grinder these days. It works pretty good for filling holes and welding plastics together.
As kids in the 60's, we use to do this to some of our models. We used to play Joie Chitwood thrill show and also demo derby with our kits and see who's car would stay together. We would use a wood burning iron, my and my best friend next door, had cars that would never fly apart because they were melted together. Thanks for sharing this forgotten technique. And thanks for the memories.
Thank You Doug for the video!! Know it was a year ago but just found your channel an love the great how-to's you have . I'm new to the body modifications an chopping an changing , your videos have helped me quite a bit.
I actually had a chance to see this wagon at NNL East a few years ago.. Absolutely amazing work! It was actually my first time being able to attend the NNL EAST Show. I've never seen so many magnificent works of art. I also have never felt so welcome to be around a bunch of highly skilled Model builders.. Everyone I had a chance to talk to was so incredibly nice and to be a part of something like that was just amazing. Half way through the show I noticed that Scale Auto Magazine left one of their cards underneath a car I was showing.. I can't even begin to explain how I felt seeing that card sitting underneath something I built. Long story short I was able to show my father the man who got me started in model building a center fold right up of something I built in amazing I've been getting since I was a kid....
That is so cool! I'd never thought of this. I have a soldering iron with a panny reshaped to a wide chisel point for a tip. It would work perfectly. As a kid I used glue and putty. The surrounding area was aways a wavy mess.
I never thought of using my wood burner I've always used my solder gun, it's a old Weller used it to heat up many of modified knives to do body mods. Now thanks for sharing your knowledge I can move on with my plastic models with ease on body mods and have a better feeling of accomplishment plus enjoy the building process through beginning to finish,thank you very much.
I was going to say the same thing, that’s got to be one of the most relaxing model “how to” videos I’ve watched… like a combination of Bob Vila and Mr. Rogers!
"OUTSTANDING" !.....I love these tip's - shoot I'll use the end of a broom handle or shovel if it get's the job done.......love it - keep'em comin' !.....
I remember trying to do this as a child. But mostly I was using my dad's soldering iron to put holes in warplanes to show that they had been in battle!😂
Great video and have to add another tool to the arsenal! Thx for doing this video! I have not heard of doing this! So this I will need to do! Thx again ! ~Don
There is a link in the video description to help you find a wood burning tool. If you like our videos and want to help ensure we can keep making them, please consider becoming a Patron, and enjoy exclusive content from Doug's Bench, on our Patreon at: www.patreon.com/modelcarmuse. Thanks for watching!
I have tried the old sprue and acetone to create a plastic body putty, but never felt quite right too clumpy in the end. I think this would work much better, thank you.
@@ModelCarMuse Thank you very much. I have a concept in mind to try on a model. I want to cut it straight down the middle to widen it. I have a hard time picturing what it would look like.
For the straight cuts I use a razor saw - the type sold by hobby suppliers. I think cutting plastic might make for a good topic for an upcoming episode. Thanks for your question!
Thanks for this very good question. I tested this out on different resins and as I suspected, the resin did not melt. So at least this technique works well with kit plastic.
I used a very thin razor saw for the vertical cuts. For the horizontal cut I first scored the line with a scriber (a hobby knife would also work) until I could get a razor saw blade into the slot to complete the cut.
Mine is a wood burning tool from the 1960s. There is a link in the description to help you find one available today. Many have interchangeable tips. Just look for one that has tips you think would work for you.
Great video! Ghost lines are maddening, would probably work for those ridiculous hood scoop half cut outs ( like we need that for a guide) , to know where to cut, always hated those!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😎🇺🇸
Nice presentation. I've been using the soldering/woodburner trick since 75'. Not sure if someone showed me or I just came up with it for myself organically.
I think his 97 degrees are probably Celsius which would be 206 Fahrenheit. I've used this technique for non-modeling plastic repairs, i add a small piece of wire (like a piece of a staple) melted in to add extra strength.
This reminded me of a time when I was a kid, my brother and I would do this to our models. Of course it didn't go well so we stopped. lol Your method is a great tip!
Wow, what a cool video! I have never seen this done. What a great tool. I hope to see more about this. The Chrysler wagon is amazing. Glad to meet you. Subscribed.
Boy I wish I’d have seen this before I started my kit. I’m changing wheel wells on the #54 chevelle and I’m on my second round of putty. I just ordered a hot knife and I will definitely be using this technique on my next one.👍👍
First time viewer...you now have my subscription.....what great content you have..I love that you can do the body work like that with the woodburning tools...amazing...makes me want to build models again....thank you for sharing your craft...
nice tips maybe something i can use if i get more serious in this stuf i just build a Tamiya Electric Dril kit was a lot of fun never realy worked with this stuf before but i needed a small dril for something im hobbying on. but maybe the bug bite me. I am thinking about eventully mixing my own hobby with a RC drift car and make my own bodys from scratch but every step is 1 and this dril is 1 =) how ever there a lot of model kits out there and you just showed me a trick to make a custom cool work.
Thanks Doug. The Hot Knife Auto World Catalogue used to Carry Harbor Freight Carried for awhile but noticed they Don't Anymore. It has Exacto Knife blade holder and Blades. I think Reason they Quit Carrying it was users weren't Careful Enough when trying to use on Models n were having Burn thru issues. Amazon n other places Still have them The Technique You Used Here Would Work Excellent With Sprue Rod Putty made With Testors Liquid Cement in Small Jar with Brush I'm Now 61 been Building Model Cars since 11. I tried Making Sprue Rod Putty for First Time 4 years ago & Am Quite Pleased with The Results it Fills Voids Quite Well & Once it Gasses Out Returns to Solid Plastic it Sands Quite Well and shows No seams when Done So Using it for the Finish Work with Your Method Would Work Wonders. Thank for a Great Tutorial Video. Walt
Mr Whyte love your videos. I’ve noticed you like talking with modelers from yesteryears. I meet one that I thought you’d like to interview or call. However don’t know how to communicate Privately on RU-vid. If you’re interested please let me know.
I just put together a revell Gen 1 ranger, to put onto a scx24 chassis. Wish I'd seen some of these tricks beforehand 😅 Still got it clean looking with full depth bed .
funny I am 64 and remember in fact I did as you are just a sodering iorn with a base so real warm not hot and have used hair dryer to warp it body parts as well get them fender bulges I like stock cars before they where building the kits so used the sodering irons to weld the cages in them , real story I am dislexic my reading teacher to get me intrest in reading would send me to the libary to chose what I wanted to read and modlers magazines where my choice most times . supper cool you shared this cool car
