I need some expert advice. I am a new at putting models together and I don’t know what the solutions is to my problem. I am putting a 1929 Ford Pickup together and in the process of cutting the chrome right and left steering arms off the plastic tree I broke them both. I glued them together which worked until I assembled the pieces as a whole and they broke again. After glueing them together again, and breaking again I was at the breaking point. What would be the solution to my problem. I purchased a pair of cutters so that I can cut the pieces off the plastic real close. I just don’t know what to do.
If you had a photo it would help a lot, hard to make a suggestion without seeing the problem.
Is this the Revell kit? If it was which part numbers are you talking about, I have that kit so I can look at the parts and see if something comes to mind.
Super glue can be very brittle and has poor strength for larger parts that have a small gluing surface. You may be better off welding the parts together with a strong liquid glue.
As far as cutting delicate parts off the sprue, I found that it may help to cut the sprue itself around the part. While you do this, hold the part very close to where you are cutting so that it won’t try to twist.
Once you get the part off the sprue “tree”, carefully cut off the pieces of sprue that are still attached to the part. That puts less stress on the part itself and allows you to get the cutter at a better angle to the part. You may have to do this in a few steps, nibbling away at the pieces of the sprue on the part, until you finally get close to the part itself. Again, holding the part very close to where you are cutting. Finally clean up the part with an emory board or file.
Dave I used Testors Cement. The first time it broke was when I attempting to cut it fromthe sprue, the part was attached to the sprue on both ends and it twisted and broke in half. That was my first mistake, tough lesson to learn on such a small part. If I was to use strong liquid glue which brand are you referring to?
It’s well worth the cost—I guarantee you will never break another delicate part from a sprue with this. It is a miicro-despruing tweezer which will fast become one of your most valuable tools. You can use this on the tiniest parts, and never break them–it’s honestly miraculous!
I use IPS Weld-on 3, but there are a bunch of good liquid glues out there. I think a lot of folks here like to use Tenax. Do a search on the forum here for liquid glue and you’ll find a ton of information.
Don’t know if you have thought of it or not but would it be possible to use a metal wire or rod. Maybe cut off the plastic ends and drill them out so you can insert a metal rod. Just a thought.
JAN , because the parts are so fine i had to use fine .020 brass wire to replace mine . it works well and you cam use testors chtome silver paint . dip the part in the part in the paint and after you take it out shake vigorously . DO NOT !! touch the part with your fingers after this , use tweezers. good luck … TANKERBUILDER