...how to get a cast apart for customising reasons but don’t know how to do it? I did a few months back when I was shown the awesome side of the hobby that is customisation via the spectacular customs shown here on LaLD. For me the scariest part was the unknown, I had no idea what the process was or tools needed for this, I have plenty of experience with tapping threads just not on casts. Now I’ve done a few it’s not scary at all and quite enjoyable really.
If your curious about how to go about disassembling a riveted Hot Wheels/Matchbox or similar cast this video shows the process of drilling the rivet, counter sinking the hole, tapping the hole with an M3 thread, screwing the new screw in, removing the screw, removing the base, refitting the base and screwing it together, in about the time it took to read that bunch of words. Well not quite but it all happens in under two minutes, including me fumbling with the base. I didn’t realise I was trying to refit it upside down momentarily!
One disclaimer or point of fact; I started to make the video and had a blooper at the start. I then restarted the video so the first part of the rivet drilling is partially done. That would add about ten seconds to the process so without my base fumble I think it would be about the same time over all. Another thing, I use the cordless drill to tap the thread. This is better done by hand if you have little experience (or even a lot!) with thread taps. It’s easy to snap the tap!
Tools used were a cordless drill, 2.5 mm drill bit, counter sink bit and M3 thread tap. A 6mm long M3 Stainless steel countersunk screw was used.
No talking from me in the clip because I don’t like to.