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Hey!
The issue is simple; i'd like to make a few rune carvings in a GW miniature, but I'm not sure about the tools or precautions I should take before. I've read that sometimes to warm up a bit the mini before helps to make clean cuts, but as I wanted to do it on a weapon, melting the thin edge worries me as much as just using a cutter and scrape the surface. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advace!

Heat up a blade just a bit (a few seconds over a candle will work - so it's just hot enough to not burn) and cut into where you want the rune. Give it a small wobble from side to side to try and give the cut more definition, the hot blade will do most of the work. Then get a razor file and use its edge to widen the cut into a proper opening.

I normally use this on vehicles and it works there, good luck with doing this on a small weapon.

I tend to use a knife to do the initial centre-line cut and then use a sharp dentist pick to widen it out. It normally works quite well for me, as I find you have more control over the tip of the pick; with a knife or a file you risk slipping or rubbing onto other areas of the model.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-TCT-Scriber-Glass-Cutter-Hand-Tools-Window-Panels-Mirror-Cutting-/290808921748?hash=item43b58ffe94:g:OrwAAOSwq7JT~bks

Thanks for the tips!!

I'm assuming you mean plastic, but I'll provide you with my advice anyhow. When I'm cleaning up FW resin, often the mould lines will obscure intersecting lines in the sleeves or particularly the puttees my Krieg troopers wear on their calves. To redraw those lines, I've devised a tool on my own, made from a lead holder (a type of mechanical pencil) and the needle point from a compass. I'll then carefully retrace the lines I want to restore, slowly applying more pressure until I'm happy with the result. Then to smooth down the edges afterwards, I'll rub a pencil tip along the lines I've carved.

I've never thought on using a compass needle point, its a good idea, thanks! O-O
[And yep, the GW models are made of plastic, I'd swear, not resin]

 Ryuhoshi wrote:
Hey!
The issue is simple; i'd like to make a few rune carvings in a GW miniature, but I'm not sure about the tools or precautions I should take before. I've read that sometimes to warm up a bit the mini before helps to make clean cuts, but as I wanted to do it on a weapon, melting the thin edge worries me as much as just using a cutter and scrape the surface. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advace!

ofcourse if you are a painting superstar then you can just paint on the runes with Trompe-l'œil. When I converted my dark vengeance minis into nurgle I used a soldering iron (just make sure to have breathing protection or do it outdoors) - It is not however, a fine grain tool for intricate etching!