As much as I’d like to put a metal barrel on every tank I build, I can’t. So, what are the best ways to get rid of those seams that make me nuts??[xx(]
Just got back into modeling after about a fifteen-year hiatus, 2 dioramas and about 6 vehicles (armor only, please) complete but those seams drive me nuts… thanx for the input.[:D]
I get the barrel lined up as best I can and then, when it dries, I use sheet sand paper, wrap it around the barrel and slide the length of the barrel making sure I do not sand in a flat spot. Works pretty good, but it really helps to get it close to start
When I glue the two pieces/halves together, I make sure that I apply liberal amounts of glue such that when I join them or press them together there will be a bead of extra glue that will be squeezed out. I then remove the excess glue but make sure sure to leave enough to cover the joint. I let it dry. I sand the extra glue along the joint being careful with sanding as not to deform the barrel. I then use putty to fill the areas where there is still a visible line and sand them again.
[#ditto] I use that same method Dwight. Works great, very little sanding/filling required as a result.
I cut out and clean up the two barrell pieces the best I can and glue them together. Then I sand down the barrell seem lines the best I can without making the barrell look “squarish”. Then I apply gap-filling super glue to one seem and take a paper towl and wipe off the excess. I quickly grap my sanding file and sanding down the drying super glue. This might take 2-3 times, but with practice this produces a seemless finish! Good luck!
I use both of the above mentioned practices. The only difference is I use the Flex I File. It is less apt to sand a flat spot as it conforms to the shape of the thing being sanded.
Tenax! is the answer, the ultimate seam filler. A few swipes with the sand paper and you’ve got it.
my approach is similar to JWest, but once i have wrapped the sandpaper around the barrel, i SPIN the barrel inside the paper. this helps me keep it nice & round, and it works fine on tapered barrels too.
just use a light touch, and check progress often.
good luck!
Yeah, I spin it as I go too. Nothing like leaving an important part out. Good thing my job isn’t printing directions for fireworks “Hold in hand, light with match and …and…um<> oh, yeah- throw it”
I saw an article some place where the guy was using a “flex i file” for sanding compound curves on the nose of a wingy thing. I bought one and haven’t had a seam on a gun tube since. Great little tool. I got mine from Micro Mark.
Crockett, I am not familiar with Tenex (although I have heard of the powered sugar by that name). I am interested on how this works!