How to Perfectly Align, Hinge, & Scale Trunk Lids & Doors

[@ModelCarMuse]

Check out Scale Motorsport here: scalemotorsport.com/?ref=ModelCarMuse If you choose to purchase from this affiliate link we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Use code MODELCARMUSE to receive a discount on your purchase!

[@conceptinterface]

Very helpful video -- great technique, presented so clearly. Thanks! I bought some of the fine saws from Scale Motor Sport, but was extremely disappointed having to pay $9 for shipping something so tiny.

[@BGsModelWorkshop]

Ok, i was just schooled in everything I do wrong! Thank you so much for the tips and tricks!!

[@ModelCarMuse]

Hi Brian! Glad to help.

[@samuellopez2512]

I recently discovered your channel, and after 25+ years of building car models, you are teaching me things I should have known from the beginning. Thank you!

[@omichalek]

I have just now discovered the channel and it makes me even more want to start model making

[@FranksModelWorks]

Scale Motorsport has BEAUTIFUL products that are of the highest quality and easy to use…it’s great to see that they sponsored an episode of the best model car channel on KZbin!

[@ModelCarMuse]

Thank you, Frank!

[@waynes.1242]

Great "How To" video! Twenty years of questions were just answered in fifteen minutes. Thank You!

[@ModelCarMuse]

What a great comment, thank you!

[@davidwalker4426]

I stopped opening doors but this clever method makes me want to start again. A simple idea that seems obvious now.

[@ModelCarMuse]

Go for it, Dave!

[@kevinsmith7697]

A4 garage has made accurate hood hinges just like the real thing ! Someone should make and sell those! Would be the next best thing in our great hobby! No more hoods laying next to models at shows! I prefer to display my builds closed ! U don’t see cars parked with the hood laying next to a car ! Or propped up with toothpicks. Cool tutorial Doug ! Another great video! 😎✌️🤔🫡🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Hinges made from tinplate, his work is amazing. Doug is superb also, two great, inspiring builders.

[@jslute]

A4 is on another level.

[@kevinsmith7697]

@@jslute yep him and Juha Ario 🫡😎✌️🇺🇸

[@jslute]

@kevinsmith7697 I will definitely look it up.Mokei Paint is pretty cool too,Thanks for the tip!👏🇨🇦

[@jimmycheesegrits9201]

ANOTHER Great Video…!!👍👍 Ordered Saw & Scriber Blades As Well As A Handle For Each…💪 Thanks For Sharing…🙏

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Nice video Doug..... 👍👍

[@tint661]

I have the patience to do that kind of work but had never seen how it was done. Thank you for posting. I'm retired and getting back into the hobby. I used to build models when i was in high school.

[@truckerray7533]

That is awesome! Ive made similar type hinges back in the day, but not as nice as yours! I need to get back into my modeling hobby. . . .hopefully here one day soon! Its been far to long! Thanks for sharing & happy modeling😃👍🏻!

[@thecrapgaragechannel.]

Great video! I have been watching other videos on the subject and, by far, yours is the best. If someday I decide to open doors or trunk, I will come back to your video and I will not have trouble to make it work. Thank you for this video!

[@BoZn8r]

Doug, great video!! This is how i will be creating my moving parts!! Thanks for the tips, much appreciated!!

[@ricksrealpitbbq]

Great video Doug 👍

[@DreamBigBuildSmall]

Great tutorial Doug. This came out just in time to do the hinges on the '67 Mustang fastback I'm building.

[@crazypainter56]

Bill Geary does nice opening doors also

[@3men2sify]

Wooo! Thanks 4 the tip

[@ghrobbs]

Ive been following your work since the late 80's early 90's. I use your plastic welding technique all the time & now this. Thank you Professor of Plastics.

[@ericverpeten8503]

Great tutorial 👌👌👌👌

[@deenjoan9938]

Now that's was really helpful thank you vary much vary well done tutorial enjoyed.

[@machineman6498]

Thank you for making this

[@modelcarmadness5119]

Great tutorial, thanks. You just cost me money as I had to order those photo etch scribes 😊

[@ModelCarMuse]

Glad I could help!

[@357RD6string]

Thank you for taking the time to show this technique!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

goods vid on the channel thanks lee

[@OgKrazyNick]

Cool

[@michaelcooke2559]

Very nice technique. There is definitely no alignment problems with this method. I may have to try this one. Scale Motorsports has some very good stuff. I’ve used both of those blades for years, and they are great. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ratsters]

Great tutorial Doug, Thanks!

[@stanseel8900]

Am I the only one checking that drill press out? what a beauty! I'd love to have that in my mini machine shop. Is three drill presses to much?

[@ModelCarMuse]

Three is just right; every drill press has its own personality! My grandfather purchased this Walker-Turner, new, in the late 1930s. He replaced the motor in the '70s. "Ball bearing equipped" and still running strong.

[@timstuper]

Wow I struggled with this I'll have to try it thank you sir!!

[@Builtbyronny]

Great Thank you for the tutorial 👍

[@timkustom]

Interesting way of doing that. Well done!

[@ModelCarMuse]

Hi Tim! It's all about the workflow. Thanks!

[@tomlappin9657]

Lots of good tips !

[@neilreddick3062]

Excellent video sir! Thank you for the lesson, much appreciated!

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

really dou only 500 likes you are scale modeling brought to life i got soo many ideas its almost silly😁😅🤣🤩thanks to you my friend 🤓scooter d😎

[@highorbit3282]

Obviously, you're a disciplined and thoughtful guy. I can't thank you enough for not only the specific content but also the fact that you actually Speak! I find the music video model guys an absolute waste of time. Sometimes phrase, "a picture says a thousand words " is not true. Your dialog is well prepared and succinct, and you get more information out there in a few sentences than other people do in a careers worth of "just watch how talented I am" videos. Are you a school teacher? An example of what I'm talking about is when you warn viewers about the placement of the hinge pivot point either interfering with the parcel shelf or the rear glass. That is sage advice. I run into poor planning issues like that all the time. My execution is pretty good with 54 years of building under my belt, but I'll be damned if I can get an F1 cowling to fit over all my "plumbing". Thank you, Grazia, danka

[@ModelCarMuse]

Glad you're enjoying the channel. I'm not a school teacher, but I do mentor a FIRST FRC robotics team for high school age students, which has taught me a lot!

[@dougmulle2627]

Wow! Techniques such as this has given me a new excitement for the hobby. Plus I've been looking for saw blades and scribers like these for years. Thank you!

[@cratecruncher4974]

Another benefit of brass is it's so easy to soft solder and plate. You can really make some scale hinges with solder and a bit of nickel.

[@KBCC_Garage]

Thanks for sharing this technique. I used it today on my 2025 USACC Dart build. 😎👍🏾

[@alancyr3100]

That was a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing.

[@deanlewis8083]

now this is a great tutorial! I recently bought these blades at a recent show and they work great. Nice and thin cuts. thank you and take care

[@oscaraguirre602]

Hi MODELS CAR MUSE, good nigth great video about the details in the axel of the doors, lm fan of the modelism, thanks of share your experience in the world of the miniature and Tips for made best jobs,,, greetings and congrautlations, your friend Oscar de Playa del Carmen Q R México.

[@ModelCarMuse]

Thanks, Oscar, and welcome!

[@robertlaffertysr.1621]

I wish I had known this technique a few years ago! Thanks for sharing!

[@scalemodelsnail]

Doing hinges for my first time and this video was very helpful. Thanks Doug! 🐌✌️

[@ModelCarMuse]

Glad to help, hope the hinges come out just the way you want!

[@skipragsdale3565]

Doug, I love what you've been doing, this is the same type of mentoring that many of us got from the seasoned modelers when we were just beginning. I got a lot of mentoring as well as needed constructive criticism from my Uncle who had been building for years by the time I came along.

[@marcina6491]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! great movie

[@zonjuan5893]

What about the door sill plates ?? I've been searching for a long time for a video or a chat or a magazine article or anything about making scale sill plates....😢

[@ModelCarMuse]

I agree, I have not found ready solutions for sill plates and have not yet tried to make my own. A good candidate for photo etch?

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you so much for this brilliant video: 👌👏👍! I love building motors into my slot cars, though they very often do not come with hinges. Now - thanks to you - I do know how to try.

[@DomenicGiuntoli]

Well done!

[@Merylstreep1949]

So very cool!!! Plus I was blown away by the rare kits I was able to see in the background I'd love a video on your kit stash ❤

[@mohamedmouffok5408]

Merci beaucoup mon frère 🤗😘

[@garyparker2969]

That's Straight-Up C😎😎 LLL Doug 🏆🏆 Thanks For Sharing Your Experience and The SMS Deal👍👍 GBA 🤗 Gary.

[@alvintarrer6914]

Nice detail 👍☕️☕️

[@richardlee1092]

Excellent tutorial, professional easy to follow instructions. Thank you so much! 😎

[@dalemettee1147]

I got little tidbit for you. I just thought of it this AM. If you want to say add some LED lighting to a project but don't have a lot of room for wires, dollhouse hobbyist use flat copper strips on interior rooms to add power for lights and things. The copper is mounted to tape that can be applied to the walls inside the structure. It comes in rolls. Just a thought for you.

[@ModelCarMuse]

Thanks for the tip! It's always useful to look at the techniques used in other hobbies.

[@jimfolkers4425]

Great job!!! Doug.

[@jonoskowski5545]

Thank you for making a video to show and explain how your technique.

[@Jarcca]

Great tutorial video! Gonna have to try this on next car project :D

[@johnperson3377]

What size tube and rod do you use? I’ve always been hesitant to cut out doors because of the alignment issue, can’t believe I never thought of this method, thanks

[@ModelCarMuse]

I used rod and tube from K&S Precision Metals. The tube was "round brass tube number 8125" 1.57mm (OD). The rod was "brass rod number 8160" 0.81mm. But, use whatever sizes work for your particular model.

[@marcosfernandeznanita7150]

Awesome tutorial video Doug, I see I had made a couple of things the wrong way, but I can do a better job now, thanks for sharing my friend

[@MrHandyDad]

Great ideas, great video...

[@steveminla]

Seems so obvious to set up your hinges while the doors etc are still attached to the model! I'm going to be sure to implement this technique in my future builds!! Also digging those saw blades too! I'll have to pick some up. Looks like the "thinner" saw blade would be good for going around corners and the wider ones, better for straight lines.

[@thebeardedguyjefflawless5887]

Awesome video Doug........I've had several questions about hinges and you just answered all of them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@jamesleson9728]

Nice job Doug!

[@garyb6219]

That was excellent.

[@jonnyspa27]

That's a badass tutorial. Thanks for sharing that! That said, I might need to get another Ford GTLM body as I'm opening both doors, and could be in over my head there! LOL Matthew also has some fantastic PE parts. After seeing how well his scriber & saw blades work, I'll be getting some also.

[@harveykeeler2661]

Very nice job, and thanks for sharing.

[@michaelhintzmikesminiature1812]

This was a Great video!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@scaleadventures124]

Thank you for sharing this method, very very useful!

[@kregskorner8851]

Great tutorial Doug, with an easy finish.. I will be checking out the small saw type blades..

[@hugheskirby]

Great video! I will be trying this method!

[@karlsheffer8845]

Thanks for the helpful "how to" video! I have done a couple trunks, but have been hesitant to do any doors. This may get me to try them!

[@BloodyHatchetz]

I just found this and I subscribed!very nice video. I love your techniques

[@michaeldeckert6023]

Absolutely love what you do. Sit in amazement and watch always. I wish that when instruction like this is given possibly you could link us to the size of rod and tubing that you use? The amateur like me will go to the store and look at a "hundred" different packages for the tubing, and the same for the rod. If you would have linked that in your store I would have bought it immediately. Thank you at least for showing us your technique. Greatly appreciated.

[@ModelCarMuse]

Thank you, glad you enjoy the channel! There is now a link in the description to the brass used in the video. For reference, I used rod and tube from K&S Precision Metals. The tube was "round brass tube number 8125" 1.57mm (OD). The rod was "brass rod number 8160" 0.81mm. But, use whatever sizes work for your particular model.

[@michaeldeckert6023]

@@ModelCarMuse you are so gracious in your response and this addition. Thank you. Also bought the toolnset and scribing extra blades today. I appreciate you for those too. Know that I'll continue watching with both learning and wonder on all your projects.

[@sodakmodelcars]

Thanks for the video Doug! Beautiful work and video! I've always been pretty intimidated and somewhat uninterested in opening panels until now! Thanks for sharing!

[@MarkBatsonHobbydude007]

Excellent vid Doug!! Best video on this topic out there, thanks!! I'm sold on Scale Motorsports blades as well! Lots of great stuff!!

[@patrickbrun5830]

Thank you! 💯👍

[@bkmodelcars]

Great video Doug lot of useful information never thought of that.

[@adrianbekerian4518]

Me encanto la técnica que lograste con el baúl del auto. soy de Argentina y me encanto esa forma no te volees loco para que después este en linea el baúl.

[@rickfazzini22]

Liked and subscribed👍🏻 thanks for sharing!

[@slowridemodelcars1687]

Thank you for that tutorial, very interesting!

[@KitbashedKustoms]

Extremely informative and good video. Love this! Thank you for sharing your techniques! Will absolutly try this!

[@KarlScaleModeling]

Very interesting video and procedures. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼👍🏼

[@ronalddrain8033]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks.

[@moparnut6286]

The absolute master!

[@AdHocCars]

Great tutorial! I am still in the process of analyzing the best way to make the hinges, but I still haven't dared to make them on my own. I think your video will help me to just go for it! :) Thanks!

[@markforster6457]

Thanks for this video! I am trying to learn. 8:12 - Should I also grind the edge of the trunk lid, to make it look thinner, for the sake of appearance? Can you recommend a video that shows the process of fitting the body glass and the interior tub with the trunk hinges? Thank you for your patience!

[@ModelCarMuse]

Every build is a new learning experience! Once the trunk lid is loose you can fine tune the thickness from the underside. Yes, the front edge should be thin to be true to scale. I don’t know of a video off-hand, but once the hinge is positioned and attached, you may need to make some adjustments depending on the specific car. The lower edge of the glass may need to be trimmed; be careful because the clear plastic can be very brittle and crack easily. The interior tub may need to be modified, but it shouldn’t change the overall look from the outside of the car.

[@gordonenquist36]

Great video and have never done it, maybe now I will try it. Have you ever done a tilt front end conversion to a kit ? There are kits that the kit maker has done it for us but how to if not. I do realize that it is not practical for most cars, ie '59 Cadillac, LoL. Cheers

[@ModelCarMuse]

I have. That's a great idea for a future video, thanks!

[@user-cr6oe6yv5x]

Very useful, will certainly try this next time. Currently tearing out hair on a bonnet and grill hinge system :(

[@oneteamgarage]

This was a very informative and amazing video! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely use this technique to hinge doors and trunks!

[@robofatcat]

When you opened the trunk lid it was like magic

[@dmgscalemodels2825]

I would like to see the same technique but with the doors and how to cover the interior of the door.

[@ModelCarMuse]

We'll add that to the future videos list!

[@lorimcquinn3966]

Very interesting article. Just wondering how you deal with a Model A door where the aft end of the door overlaps the door opening.

[@RonGsworld]

Perfect!

[@grooveholmes79]

awesome!

[@jgresh-e9q]

Doug Whyte, watched, rewatched this presentation. Bravo! Great technique, especially the preplanning taking advantage of the one piece body molding to assure panel alignment after separation. Thank you. ?: couldn't help not noticing the drill press. I'm in the market to purchase. Your's...brand? Pro's/con's. At your convenience. Respectfully, jg

[@ModelCarMuse]

That's a Walker-Turner drill press from the 1930s. My grandfather bought it new. They ceased production in 1957. You can find these for sale, used, but I would recommend looking into a newer model.

[@jgresh-e9q]

@ModelCarMuse Indeed & thank you for your content... always instructive.

[@terryhachey482]

Hey Doug great video tutorial I have one question…well actually 2 questions. What size is the brass tube you’re using and what size is the rod that slides into the tube? Keep them vids coming us modellers really do appreciate them!! Thanks Doug!!

[@ModelCarMuse]

Glad you liked the video! The sizes I used are listed in the description under the video and there is an affiliate link to Amazon. Your needs may require a different size.

[@devingillis9661]

WOW!!! 🤯🤯

[@cruzer2123]

Great video Doug, always more than one way to skin the cat.....😉😉😉

[@riccardoorlando2971]

hi congratulations can you tell me the external diameter of the tube and the diameter of the wire? Thank you

[@bigggpapawallace180]

Hello, I really enjoyed your work, your craftsmanship.......Just one question what's the thickness of the brass tube and rods? Thank you

[@ModelCarMuse]

Hi, thanks! Brass used in the video: K&S Precision Metals "round brass tube number 8125" 1.57mm (OD); and "brass rod number 8160" 0.81mm. Check the description for an affiliate link.