Polycarb body shells (Pre-Cut)

[MadcapIwant1]

So tell me this, why do Tamiya not pre cut all the polycarb body shells to exact size? this could easily be done and easily be packaged within the kit box to prevent damage, yes it's a big portion of completing your model to perfection but still can be a stressful task making sure you don't mess it up......you would still be left to paint and add stickers as you like but the process of cutting and smoothing out corners would not be required.......

What do you Guy's think?

All the best and wish you all a great crimbo and New Year

Hope Santa is good to you all

[MadcapIwant1]

Also..can anyone help me with how to upload a profile pic for the Forum as it keeps saying file to large even though it is not?????? much appreciated

Paul.

[Grastens]

They do trim bodies, but only in the 'finished-body' RC kits (and of course the XB line where applicable!). I always figured the uncut bodies, with their flange surrounding the entire bodyshell, were stronger than those already cut and so were preferred.

Also, not every car has the body alone in polycarbonate. If you are discussing cutting every other polycarbonate part down, it would also mean cutting rear wings on cars like the Super Hotshot and cutting out separate rear-view mirror inserts on others like the Wolf WR1, specialized tasks which would elevate costs beyond efficiency. Tamiya's diverse product line probably does not allow for every kit to be cut to exact size prior to packaging.

I know little about companies that pre-cut their bodyshells, but I would have also imagined that additional quality-control groups would be needed to ensure that the edges and corners are in fact cut and smoothed properly, which would be mostly-avoided with just packaging kits with uncut bodies. Tamiya body sets in kits typically have pre-drilled holes, but there is less to go wrong with a body post hole than entire cut sections.

Those are my hypotheses on the subject, in addition to the notion that Tamiya's kit-building enthusiasts have usually been the type to cut their own bodyshells. Not everybody, of course, but a significant-enough number.

P.S.: As for the profile pic, I cannot say I can help; mine right now is actually a 1 kB file!

[CoolHands]

you need to email twinset your avatar:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=68182&pid=476275&st=0entry476275

[MadcapIwant1]

Thanks C.H, much appreciated

Totally agree Grastens regarding the XB and the finished RC kits and the added cost for extra work required from Tamiya but would still have been nice as an option to have a pre cut wing and body for a lot of the earlier buggies and re re kits

Hope you have a great Xmas and new year Guys

All the best

P.

[Percymon]

Cutting the body would probably add 35-50% to the production time of a typical shell, but possibly only add 30% to the retail price. That makes a $50 shell into a $65 one, and most people would be happy to save the $15 and do it themselves.

I know the xb shells and even the pri finished hard body shells still aren't perfect to fussy eyes but they do represent reasonable value when you consider the hours needed for something like a two tone scorcher shell with driver and decals.

[MadcapIwant1]

Yip I hear ya P just me being lazy really in the big picture....lol...enjoy greatly the paint and sticker process but at times stress when cutting out my shells and wings....lol....hate to make a mistake at such a crucial part of the build process....lol

All the best for crimbo mate

P.

[Tamiya Era]

i agree ,,,it would be easy , but after couple of self-trimming,, u will have more experience ..and u feel joy while trimming..

the only thing i feel annoying is, trimming takes some time and u have to have a good free time to come-up with great results.

I take abut 3-4 days including spraying and decal just to make it looks as perfect as possible..and decided to start body first and then going to build the kit

[MadcapIwant1]

True True mate, practice practice practice.....

Hmmm I see you are in Oman? I start a new job in Oman next month, small world

[Zac_F83]

get a pair of lexan cutting scissors they're $10 if that- lexan bodies are so easy it's not funny ... now hard plastic bodies that's a whole other game

The only minus they do have is if paint bleeds into a mask it pretty much wrecks the body - but if it bleeds your coats are too thick= lesson learned buy a new body and start over

If a hard body gets runs in it= coats to thick- lesson learned spray it w/ oven cleaner and start over

[MadcapIwant1]

Cheers Zac, will do just that regarding the lexan cutters Merry crimbo mate and all the best for 2013

[Tamiya Era]

True True mate, practice practice practice.....

Hmmm I see you are in Oman? I start a new job in Oman next month, small world

Waaooo,,welcome to your second Home.......

Will be in touch...cheers