X-Wing Engine Nozzle Cutting for Lighting

[starwarsdude]

Trying to light x-wing engines. The engine nozzles need a bunch of triangles cut out. What is a good way to do this? Drill corners and carve with xacto knife?

 

[Richard Baker]

You could remove them entirely and build some custom inserts designed for lighting...

 

[starwarsdude]

You could remove them entirely and build some custom inserts designed for lighting..

I could but am looking to modify the parts I have and looking for best practice ideas.

 

[modelerdave]

I could but am looking to modify the parts I have and looking for best practice ideas.

Your idea of drilling the corners and cleaning out the rest with an X-acto (I would also add files to finish) is probably your best bet.

 

[Rulebreaker]

depends on the scale, why not print it/them out

 

[starwarsdude]

Your idea of drilling the corners and cleaning out the rest with an X-acto (I would also add files to finish) is probably your best bet.

Thank you!

 

[Millenniumf]

If it were me, I'd attack it slowly from the back of the part with a Dremel and a cylindrical cutting bit at low speed, thinning the material more and more till you can punch the plastic out from between the fins like it was paper. If you're delicate with it, you'll be able to thin it without melting it, and it'll not only be easier than using an eXacto knife and drill, it'll result in thinner fins that look more realistic and which will let through more light.