Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, I've got a couple of Stormboyz that I would like to turn into their Nob/Klaw equivalent, but as I have none that are unassembled, I must remove arms. But how would you recommend doing so without breaking the arms off at the shoulders and all that whatnaught? :(

How were they assembled, initially?

If a solvent-type plastic glue was used, the material has been welded and can only be separated by cutting (unless GW plastic glue was used - in that case, simply pray that it holds together and watch as it promptly falls apart ). Time to break out the razor saw - there will be a little material lost, but the kerf is narrow and the new faces will be straight and flat. Trying to slice through with a blade - even a very sharp one - is liable to deform the parts, as well as presenting a bit of risk to your precious fingers.

If CA (super) glue was used, the bond will be reasonably brittle. A cycle of freezing and thawing (which causes tiny fractures within the cured glue, further weakening it), along with a bit of gentle pressure, will pop most joins without damaging either part. Just chip or abrade away the residual glue and the parts will be as good as new.

Use a good pair of sprue cutters, and cut at shoulder joint.

Few thoughts:

1) Sprue cutters won't be much good for this kind of cut. They work by pressure and the blades are quite thick so what happens as you close the cut is that the blade thickness pushes on the plastic on both sides. One side will likely get bent/squished as a result and detail will be lost.
As said above instead you want to use a blade - ideally a saw (smooth blade like a scalpel can work but its very slow to saw and can be prone to crack/shatter - safer and easier to use a jewellers saw)

2) If super glue was used on metal models then you can use paint stripping chemicals as its my experience that this can also weaken some bonds. Otherwise freeze-thaw is an ideal option.

Note if its finecast check on paint-stripping (I've heard some kinds can melt the finecast).

3) AS said if its plastic then most plastic glues work by melting the plastic and then the active component evaporates and the plastic reforms. As a result its a permanent bond, it won't break so you are down to cutting/sawing.

...and, if you're unsure, post some pics of what you have and the nice posters (above) might be able to guess as to which glue was used/method may be best to try on a test piece. :-P

if its arms i stick the biggest part of the hobby knife(near the handle) along it and twist. It just pops right off

Responses! AHH!!!

They are plastic Stormboyz that I got second hand, but seems they are held together with glue. Unsure if it's model glue or just super glue (I tend to use Super Glue to good effect, though can still come off pretty easily), so I'm inclined to think this might be plastic glue, causing it to fuse more. :(

If they are plastic most people will use plastic glue. So chances are you'll have to break out the jewellers saw and cut them off. You won't have any luck at all trying to prise, pull or freeze/thaw them off.