The basics of cutting out a bodyshell
KB64
Updated 2022-11-09 by Simon
The basics of cutting out a bodyshell
Before we start there are lots of different ways to cut out an RC body shell, this is just the way I find it easier to do
Tools required
Before starting to cut out your body shell you would need access to the following tools
Start cutting
Most body shells have a flat area at the bottom of them from the moulding process, I start by cutting this off using the curved lexan scissors at the corner of the lexan going from flat to vertical, make sure you don't go to high and in to the body shell itself.
Choose a wheel arch to start cutting at, Then using the curved scissors start slowly cutting round the wheel arch following the moulded line for the body. Make sure that when you cut with the scissors do not go all the way to the end of the blade, go three quarters of the way down them and then open and reposition the scissors, and repeat the process.
The curve of the scissors will aid following the curve of the wheel arch.
Do this on all four wheel arches.
When it comes to cutting the straight lines for the sides front and rear, there is 2 options
You can use the straight scissors, following the moulded line of the body shell in the same way as the wheel arches ( but I do find you can easily run off the line doing this )
The other way is to use the craft knife and gently score across the mould line in the body, you are not trying to cut through but just apply little to no pressure and gently follow the line, be careful not to put your hands under where you are using the knife.
Do this 2 - 3 times and follow the same score line.
You can then bend the lexan and it will flex along the score line, and then pull off
Once you have done, this will complete the cutting out of the bodyshell.