The Ship Model Forum

Thank you all for the help. will switch to the pin vices and read through the suggeted links. Regards, Pete in RI

Have a look at a previous thread on the subject where a number of folk contributed ideas
[url]http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=91552[/url]
Midway down, the page you will find the practice of using a saw blade to line them up and also space them out.

[quote="wefalck"]Did you use an electric drill ? The drill-speed may have been too high, melting the plastic, which in turn leads to drill run-out. A pin-vice is better for this.[/quote]

Nope. Just the regular collection of pin-vices and bits.

[attachment=0]65EBF0FB-8A0F-49DC-AD45-B9187AF30F84.jpeg[/attachment]

Carbide drills are not made, indeed, for free-hand drilling, they don’t like lateral forces.

Did you use an electric drill ? The drill-speed may have been too high, melting the plastic, which in turn leads to drill run-out. A pin-vice is better for this.

I've never built anything in 1/200, but I've done lot of portholes in 1/700 which I assume is no more forgiving.

Typically I'll mark out the horizontal centerline with some type of hard edge tape [url]https://www.amazon.com//dp/B00B8GQRHK[/url] ( or Dymo tape, scribing tape, even masking tape sometimes) and then mark the centers with a needle tool of some type [url]https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0028MV9G2[/url] to center the drill bit before drilling with a pin vice.

Links above are similar to what I use, but not necessarily specific recommendations.

Related - I'm really [b]not [/b]much of a fan of the newer drill sets with tungsten carbide bits. [url]https://www.amazon.com//dp/B07G6STHKW[/url] I can't even keep one on the desk top without the bit breaking. Strongly prefer regular old carbon steel bits for smaller sizes.

Right on the plastic, don't want the old "tape wobble"

High gang. Pete in RI here. Putting out a general call for help, as I am having a heck of a time drilling port holes in a straight line. Subject is the 1/200 HMS Hood, Trumpeter. The kit's molded ones are in the wrong places, (well, gee, what do you expect from the big T?, accuracy?? lolol) So, I tried, multiple times, got the spacing right, got the different sizes right, but getting them in a straight line????????? lololololol.......SO.......what do method do you all use? I marked, center popped, used a small pilot hole, bust. filled, started again. Failed again. rinse and repeat. Do I make a brass template? Drilling holes in a straight line in plastic REALLY should not be this hard. What am I missing here? Helpless and incompetant in RI Pete.