Got this little box for Christmas. Never done one before and started to try and get if figured out. 1st impression - even though i have relatively skinny fingers, they seem too big for these small pieces. 2nd, even my small newly purchased PE clippers tip seems too big to get into the tiny space available for separating the pieces from the sheets. 3rdly - had to purchase a small aluminum mandrel set - i couldnt figure out how to bend the small rounded pieces ?!? Anyhow this is what it is. This’ll be interesting…
[:D[ [:D[ [:D[ [:D[ [:D[
That’s just for the attempt! I have enough trouble with PE seatbelts let alone a kit like that.
Good Luck!
Jim [cptn]
Stay Safe.
Hi Fox!
I know what you mean. I for instance, have taken a great interest in " Metal Earth by Fascinations" Kits. Why? Well, the constant referral to the instructions and teensy bending and folding, Keeps my hands in a fairly good rendition of " Younger Normal" instead of Shaky Old Digits"
Besides that. These kits can be amazing in and of itself because of, in some cases, the incredible detail! Oh! It may not all be little pieces, but the etching on the surfaces to help make it be a model are nothing short of amazing to me. Yes, Even though I understand the process fully, it still does Amaze!
Sadly though, They do not have any civilian ships I’ve seen except the Poor old Titanic. A nice selection of civilian yachts and boats from the late 50s up to the early 90s would be nice. I have the tanker and Offshore Platform. Not bad, But how a “Stick Ship” or L.N.G Tanker ?
Yes, Ditto what TB said. Im hoping to keep my not very old fingers more nimble. But i am finding with these smaller ones that my readers are not enough and find myself grabing for the no. 7 magnifying headset…
I hear you about needing help. We need help to keep the hands from shaking. We need help for the eyes for seeing. We need help for the ears for hearing. I’d love to get my hands on the guy that said that “these are our golden years”. [;)]
Jim [cptn]
Stay Safe.
Hi Jim and Mrchntmarine;
I hear both of you. I acquired the "Disney/Harper Goff( the designer) of the Nautilus as we know her. Watch out if you get her.This has got to be the smallest “Metal Earth” model with fiddly parts I have recently gotten into. But with patience and some Jewelers tools I am getting it built. It’s pre-Colored too! TB.
For PE, I find a curved blade (like a #10) that can be “rolled” over the “sprue” on the PE is best. This while atop a glazed tile or glass sheet, to give a firm surface to cut “against.”
YMMV
Yep on the curved blade. I have a curved one i do use on PE and tried it on this kit. But this metal is thicker than the usual pe. I did buy a new set of pe snippers and the small tip barely gets in to where i have to clip off the piece. It ends up leaving a small tag on the piece. I was hoping to find a small not so wide box shaped snipper on the end to be able to clip off the remnant. so far no luck. Im worried if i try to file it, ill end up bending the pieces unless im able to grip them with a flat neednose for support while filing - which i do have and am going to try.
i did just get in the mail a set of alumium dowels of differt diameters to help with the bending.
Hi;
I found a chrome plated(Big Deal!) set of cutters at H.L that are made for cutting heavier jewelry wire and beads. It works for me and it is straight edged at the cutting surface!
So i picked up the other day a pair of smaller pliars and they are not small enough!
Here is one of the 1st pieces and i cant get in to the tab to bend it with what i have so ill be off tomorrow to try and find a skinnier tipped pair.
Heres a pic of a normal needle nose compared to the new ones
and the alumium rods for bending
Hi;
I feel ya. I forgot to tell you yesterday. Take a good pair of Xuron cutters that still cut well, but that are your oldest ones. Now very gently sand down the top of the tips. Not the cutting side! Make sure you are gentle about this! Do NOT let the tips get hot!
I wish I could easily send you a photo, But I am not on a photo site at present. I would show you mine. They are thin enough to get the job done, but not brittle at the tips. I did this after my second " Metal Earth " kit.
You can do this on the belt side of a Belt/Disc sander or a carefully applied Dremel type sanding drum. You do have to be careful in shaping them, but I know you can do it! I forgot to ask, What scale do you think this is? I notice it does NOT indicate scale.
Thanks but no thanks,I already do the minimum PE
But it does look interesting.
Instead of a bespoke [read as $$] set of PE bending dowels, check the hardware store for a set of drill bits. Wrap and roll the PE around the shank to form round bends
I have to admit that I have never seen any of these kits. I don’t even know where to buy them. I seem to be in the minority here!
Bill
Tks TB, good tip. The new pair of snippers i picked up i think will work for the cutting… And do pretty much fit in the spaces. What i was also referring to also is a pair of needle nose to get in tiny spaces to grab the tab and twist to secure. Off to look for a longer skinnier one today. I have found on the pieces that are attached to the sprue by only one tab, i am able to carefully push the piece to a 90° then grab and twist using flat pliars. This is not my 1st choice in removing as the more you twist the greater the chance of messing up the piece. But, also, if i can push the piece out and get more room to snip, then i will snip before trying to twist.
I get that! I havent been back at modelling long enough to like or dislike it yet. But, the little bit of PE ive done so far i have enjoyed. BUT, this has gotten a little crazy early on with these tiny pieces. We’ll see - haha.
Ahh. Didnt think of that. Look at the pic above - even the dowells i bought didnt have a rod that small! I had to use the shaft of an old eye glasses screwdriver that i had busted 1/2 the tip off. Not only is the shaft a good size for small pieces - but the flat head is sheared off just enough to make a good push stick to reach in and bend tabs up/down. This is gonna make the rest of my hair fall out!! Excellent idea on the bits - i have plenty laying around and will check there for any more sizes i may need. Have to say - the dowell set i bough is nice though and i think was cheaper than bits?? It only set me back 11 bucks.
Check with a major discount chain for bit sets. Most will run from 1/16 and up. Once in awhile you can find a cheap set that includes lettered and numbered,up to around 3/8 or 1/2. Look at harbor freight, once in awhile you can catch them on a coupon. Don’t last for drilling, but…
So, looking for a little help. Not sure what this means in step 18 - “when connecting 2 parts… do the red arow piece 1st then the blue piece”. I see a tiny blue arrow next to the “Step 18” Box, but i dont see a red arrow other than the red Progression Arrow. What are they referring to?
Also, in steps 7 and 8, when parts are shaded red, this is where they want you to do the red indicated bend 1st? I think the red shading is just highighting bends, right?
where i am now - up to Step 15
Every night when i stop, the last think i continue to say is, “This is crazy!”
That’s really cool. For you. Not for me.