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So, I've got a whole bunch of DA icons and I'd like to affix them to the chests of my Deathwing terminators. Only problem is that the plastic terminator torsos already have things on them, like wings, etc.

Any tips on getting that stuff off? Can you even sand plastic? Or does it just come out as a big mess? Files? Or just shave it off with an exacto knife?

Any tips or experiences would be helpful. Thanks!

David

The two easiest ways to do this are:

- Use a dremel - I think mine cost $36 and gets so much use. There are a variety of grinding/sanding tips that can help you out with exactly this type of problem.
- Shave it off with an exacto knife. This is slower, but if you don't want to put out the money for a dremel, this will do you fine.

And yes, you can sand plastic, but filing works better. I recommend getting a couple needle files from a hobby shop for doing exactly that, but the dremel will do it faster.

The dremel is a godsend, one point worth noting though is that you don't need to buy the over-priced dremel tips to go with it. There are a number of alternatives that fit the drill, and cost about 60% as much.

Also, use a modelling vice for more control.

In the UK, I don't know about the US, but there are loads of "Dremel-esque" copies, usually going by the name of "hobbyist's drill" or something similar, for a fraction of the cost of a dremel. As has been said, get the cheaper non-dremel makes of tips to do all your work, also you may find after doing a whole lot of work with one that it gets a little heave and a little hot! You can get flexi-shaft drive attatchment things that means you hang the dremel off the side of your bench or workstation, set the speed then end up holiding something between a pen and a soldering iron which I find much easier to work with.

On the other hand, if noise is a problem or if it's late at night and you don't want to keep everyone you live with/near awake or give them nightmares about dentist's drills, a set fo needle files will be just fine. I got a set of 8 or so needle files in different profiles for about £5 years ago in a little plastic wallet and they're brilliant.

Oh, the dremel is the perfect tool for drilling out gun barrels and for drilling bullet holes, score out some jagged vee-shaped slots off your bullet hole for the perfect battle damage to armour and vehicles. And Buildings. And Terrain pieces. And pretty much everything, as everything in the 41st Millennium has probably been shot by now!

So when I'm done filing, will it leave a smooth surface? My new icon isn't going to cover the whole area that is going to be filed.

Has anyone had experience with really fine grit auto finish sandpaper? Or can a dremel/file give smooth results?

You should be able to take your hobby knife and scrape over any rough bits like you would do with mold lines and smooth it that way. That's probably your best bet.

how big is it? if its really small just file it down

bust bet with termie armour on the chest is do what i do, just cut it off, not caring about damage, then clean it up with GS, may take longer than trimming it off, but i dont have a very steady hand or the patience lol