little trick i figured for making awkward panel templates

[pittaway]

just thought id share a little way of making templates for a panel that had me scratching my head for a while, it helped me so it may help others, granted theres probably an easier way anyway from someone who is alot better at this! anyway..

been making the tunnel in my model a truck, i got to the final part and was struggling as i didnt want it to look a patchwork quilt of loads of panels welded together and also because of how low the car is the rails enter the  bulkhead slightly, adding more complexity to the pattern needed.

first thing i done was so tape across the gap, using lots of tape, and pressing down on each join so the wont pull away when trimming: 






next dust the pattern with spray paint, this disables the glue making it easier when handling and also should you make a mess trimming it off the steel panels you can see what is the template and what isnt..



once that drys, get a super sharp knife and trim round the outside edges of the pattern, i used a fresh razor blade so it didnt snag when cutting..

once its free lay it down on some modelling card: 


then dust over with the spray, making a negative image, i found this easier than trying to draw round and disturb the pattern:




cut out and there you go, i cut a few mm extra on the pattern allowing room for trimming and fine tuning :






theres your cardboard pattern, i can now transfer that to steel, beadroll ect and get ready to weld in once the shells blasted, 

thanks for looking.

[at200]

This technique is also very useful for doing repairs in the wheel arch, where the panel curves and access is difficult. Cut out the rotten metal, tape across it in bands, then use a pencil by rubbing it across the edge of the hole to mark the shape. Cut a little larger than the actual shape, then gently tap the curve into the replacement piece with a round head hammer. A Black and Decker power file is a great tool for sanding down the shape until you get a good fit.

[Deleted]

How does spray paint 'disable' the glue?

[pittaway]

It drys over it mate obviously stopping it from sticking. Just helps when peeling off as if don't stick to everything it gets near when holding it.

[stevek]

That's a pretty cool tip to bank in the memory for future use. Thanks for posting.

-Steve-

[chris y]

Good idea that, I might use it one day.

Delightful welding on whats already there too.

[79cord]

Good also for complicated shapes you need to form. Unstick from surface & cut tape in shaped areas to flatten it out. Then you know where to cut, bend & re-join flat sheet to provide more complex formed shapes.

One for shape guides:

Filler on corrugated cardboard.
Packing tape on surface stops it sticking, card cut roughly to shape, filler on edge to fill gaps & cut off excess before it hardens properly.