discussion Making plastic discs

[Geoffers]

Hello guys,

I need to cut out some small discs from plasti-card for my Spitfire build. They are for wheel hub covers, which unfortunately aren’t supplied.

I don’t have anything suitable to make discs. I’ve had a look online and seen some very nice punch and die sets but they are quite expensive and not good value for the limited use I would have for one.

What does everyone else use, any recommendations or any better methods for making disc’s?

Thanks,

Geoff.

 

[stillp]

What size do you need, and how many?
Pete

 

[Steve Jones]

It depends on the size Geoff. The normal punch and die set goes up to around 2mm discs. If that is the sort of size you are after then just by a punch to the diameter you want and punch through the plasticard/metal sheet with a rubber behind it to get the disc you need.

If however you want larger discs then your next bet are punch sets which are fairly cheap and they can go from around 4mm up to 20mm.

Punch Set

Another great tool to have is the eyelet hole punch which will make discs from around 2mm up to 10mm

Eyelet Maker

Finally the must have tool for larger discs is a compass cutter

Compass Cutter

 

[scottie3158]

I agree with Steve, an eyelet punch is a must have tool. They can be found in all hobby stores and a lot of fabric shops. I use mine all the time.

 

[Geoffers]

Thanks for the replies guys :thumb2:

They need to be big enough for 1/72 wheel hubs, not sure of the exact size as I’m not at home at the mo so can’t measure it.

However I think the eyelet punch would be just the job so will track one down.

Thanks again :smiling:

Geoff.

 

[Guest]

The normal punch and die set goes up to around 2mm discs.

FWIW, the old Historex set has 3.9 mm as the largest size, and I see RP Toolz has one that goes up to 4.5 mm. However, the first probably went out of production decades ago, and the latter is slightly expensive (over £90 in the UK, it says) for making just a couple of discs

 

[Peter Gillson]

If you happen to have a drill press, here is a link to a blog detailing how i made a punch set for hols from 1.5mm to 8mm

https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/home-made-hole-disc-punch.34695/

Woodworking is my other hobby, hence having a drill press.

Peter