Hi modelers; Having gotten back into modeling after a 30 year hiatus, I am puzzled at some of the “new” lingo out there. What are the following kit types? What does photo-etched mean and what does resin parts mean? Models were always just plastic (I assume injection molded) or wood scratch. How many types are out there and are they any good? Pros, cons?
Dave
Photo etch are details made from metal like seat belts, tool clamps and other things that have to be folded or bent to take the shape. Can really spruce up a kit but can be tedious to work with some of it.
Resin parts are made from resin and alot of that type kits are stuff that the plastic complanies don’t make and some poeple do in thier garage or what not. Never used any myself so not sure any pros and cons.
I’m sure some others can chime in more.
Hello Dave, Let me give this a whirl. Photo-etched parts are thin metal sheets that have been coated with a photo sensitive film. A negative image is then placed over the treated metal (brass is most commonly used). Next they are exposed to a strong UV light source. A chemical reaction happens to the coating not covered by the black part of the negative. The Negative is removed and the part is put into an acid bath. The unwanted part of the metal is dissolved by the acid leaving a very delicate part suitable for miniature details.
Resin parts are made by mixing a two part resin and pouring this mixture into a RTV (Room Temp. Vulcanizing) silicone mold that has been cast off of an original prototype part. In the mold a chemical reaction takes place and the part cures or hardens. This is a cheap and quick way to produce complex and delicate parts. The three most common resins are urethane, polyester, and epoxy.
The three main type of kits are injected, resin, and vacuform. Injected kits are the mainstay of the industry and most kits fall into this heading. Resin kits are made as discribed above. They have great detail but are rather expensive and they require more work to finish. Vacuforms are the third main kit type. Vacuforming is a proccess were a thin piece of styrene (the same type of plastic that injected kits are made of) is heated and placed over a male or female mold. The air is then removed from between the pieces creating a vacum and forcing the hot plastic to conform to the mold. After the parts cool you have pieces that can be cut from the large sheet and put together like a injected kit. This last type of kit requires the most work and you will more than likely have to dig into you parts box for things like landing gear struts and props.
I hope this has been of some help. [;)]
A very good explanation of both points there Woody … this is but one example of why this is the greatest site on the web for scale modelers … I am proud to be a member … [^]
Thanks very much for the reply, Woody; That does certainly help. The next step for me would be to see some examples of photo-etched kits as they come unassembled. Freedom Eagle is right, this site is great!
For now, I will stick to what I know. But this helps immensely as I like to look for kits of the more obscure early AAF aircraft and of other countries pre-WWII. I saw some attractive ones that were of these other kit types and I was unsure of what I may be getting myself into there. Hence the question. Thanks very much!
Dave
Sorry Dave, I just vacuumed my shop floor, so most of the PE is history, although some I believe are small enough to pass through the bag and just cycle around forever…[:O]
Nostrdav, take a look at some of the reviews on my site - they have pictures of the PE and resin packages that come with them. Specifically look at the Axis FW-200 condor. It’s a vac kit but has a huge selection of resin and PE. Also look at the Ki-115 as and example of a injection multi media kit. Here is a package I just recieved yesterday of PE seatbelts …
You need to use superglue (CA) or epoxy to attach these items as regular plastic cement does not work. Tweezers and a set of 2 or 3 power reading glasses are helpful also.
This is a great site populated by some very fine folks. You’ll get more than information here. There are awesome friendships and positive group support to be gained as well! [;)] Make sure you make the trip to Swanny’s site. There are wonders to behold there. He certainly has the model craft down and his experiance is invaluable.
I just got back into the hobby myself, and have been reading some of the old stuff you’ll have posted over the last couple of months, you answered a bunch of questions for me that I would have asked eventually. Thanks for the good insight and places to look. I cannot wait to try some PE stuff. I would assume the PE stuff is more prevelant for ships? Radar rails etc. What are the best sites to find PE kits for planes & ships? Thanks again gentleman. Nate[wow][:D]