Decal Question

[X12A]

Evening Gent's,

Does anyone have a top tip for putting a 2mm dia hole through decals without it looking like a 3 yr old has done it?

Thanks in advance.

J (Aged 3)

[JamesPerrin]

Is the decal on the model or still on the paper. If the latter I would say hole punch but decals tend to be brittle so always test on spare decal from the same sheet

[X12A]

Still on the sheet at the moment James, I did try a drill bit but that just chewed the edge as I thought it would.

I think inserting a really sharp scalpel and twisting might be next on the list - failing that, I think you're right, a hole punch is probably the way forward.

Cheers,

J

[gengriz]

Perhaps the punches that are used to make holes in belts?

[X12A]

Perhaps the punches that are used to make holes in belts?

Thanks.

[KellerModeller]

As an idea you could try to rotate the 2mm drill backwards(!) (counter clockwise) without any or very low pressure, so kind of "sanding" and not "cutting" or "scratching" the decal film. No idea if it works, I sometimes use that technique to de-burr drill holes or with more pressure and a bigger drill to lower drilled holes in wood so that the cone heads will sit flush with the surface

[TeeELL]

This is expensive but will produce holes down to 1.5mm diameter:
https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/super- ... gKS5PD_BwE

I also have a modellers punch set - again expensive (very expensive):
https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/super- ... gKS5PD_BwE

[JamesPerrin]

As an idea you could try to rotate the 2mm drill backwards(!) (counter clockwise) without any or very low pressure, so kind of "sanding" and not "cutting" or "scratching" the decal film. No idea if it works, I sometimes use that technique to de-burr drill holes or with more pressure and a bigger drill to lower drilled holes in wood so that the cone heads will sit flush with the surface

Actually using the other end of the bit as a punch might work!? You've only got to cut the decal not all the way through the paper. Drill the cutting end of the bit into a small block of wood to protect the cutting head from the hammer.

[JohnRatzenberger]

OK, I'm loosing it here .. There are punch sets in paper/card modelling that are used for this very purpose - punching a hole in the deck of a card model to insert a mast without harming the deck . I have one around here somewhere. I thought SJPO'Neill posted about it, he may respond quicker than I. Simon clued me in on it during my Splash Puffer build. I'll look.

[JohnRatzenberger]

OK, only lost part of it -- product name, number, instructions, source of supply, but here it is.



It's a "screw-punch" or "driver punch" There are 6 cutting tools, they get inserted into the handle, then you drive that against whatever you want a hole made in. As I said earlier, SJPO'Neill pointed me at them a couple years ago. Despite what it look like, it is great for gently making holes in card model decks. Probably would not damage decals. I do not remember where I got this from, can't find it in Micro-Mark, Harbor Freight is another option, or any of the card model shops. I will keep poking about. It may be Japanese.

I'm going to send a message to Simon, maybe he can bail me out (again)

[iggie]

From ebay UK
Item number 386022613713

[X12A]

Thanks for all the tips, links and advice gents. Appreciated.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Thanks, Jim !!

[beany]

Nice one Jim - gotta get me one of those!

[SJPONeill]

Pretty sure I got mine through Etsy from a US seller...prior advice from the experts at papermodelers.com was that you probs get what you pay for as you want a smooth mechanism that can deliver lots of repetitions without sticking...I bought mine for card modelling but have probs using it more for disks and holes in plastic card up to 1mm thick...