Hold n Fold OR Etch mate

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Have any of you used both these tools?

Or do you have either one and like or hate it?

I ask as im going to buy one but i dont know which one to get[%-), there not cheap in the uk (Aprox £50) so i dont want to get the wrong one!!![xx(]

2

I have the Etch Mate and it works pretty well. It comes with an attachment to bend round parts also.

Can’t say too much about the H&F.

3

I have the 2" Hold n Fold. I really like the small size as I can pick it up and use it close to my 20/600 eyes!! I want to get a bigger one also, and will probably go with the Etchmate, especially if it does curvey parts like Eric mentioned.

Bill

4

I have a custom job that I picked up at the Nats in '02. The fellow that had them had only made about a half dozen units and sold them for $40 each. It’s made from a slab of CNC milled 6061(?) aluminum, and has the varied size bending points. It’s operated by 2 wing nuts that provide tension on either end. I absolutely love it. It’s even good for holding small pieces of sheet styrene so it can be scored/cut accurately.

Gip Winecoff

5

Hey guys, were can you purchase the items listed above. I saw an ad in finescalemodeler for a board to bend photo etched parts, but it’s listed @ 65.00 us. Is that the standard going rate?
mark956

6

Mark,

greatmodels.com has the Etchmate in at the moment. Not sure about any of the Hold n Fold’s. Mission Models also sells the Etchmate (in fact, they make it, or are the distributors, or whatever).

Yes, $65 is it for the Etchmate. There are 3 different sizes of Hold n’ Fold that start at $25 for a 2", about $45 for a 4", and $65 for an 8".

I have never seen any of them discounted anywhere on the net.

Good luck

Bill

7

Thanks Bill.
mark956

8

After reading reviews and comparisons of the two tools, I had decided on getting the Hold n Fold. Some reviewers didn’t like the alignment groove and other small problems with the Etch Mate.
However, I ended up getting the Etch Mate anyway because it was the only one I ever saw on sale here in Japan! It cost about $75 US.

And I love it! I see no problems with the alignment groove or any other of the gripes I had read about. It’s a great tool that takes the stress out of folding PE. And it’s actually quite fun to use!
On top of all that, it’s a beautiful piece of machining. Excellent quality.

9

i bought a etchmate 2 weeks ago from the barrelstore www.bentbutnotbroken.com , they had a 15% off everything sale , it looks like they still have that sale going on too. i haven’t had a chance to try it yet though so i can’t comment on it , i’ll use it once the panther group build kicks off.

10

Eric:

How does it work? Does it just get the bend started? How big a range of radi can you do? It sounds like just what I’m looking for.

Bill

11

Thanks for the input guys.[bow]

Sound like Etch Mate may be the way to go, [:)] the only thing is Hold n fold do some realy nice kits with rods and a grove thing for bending curves but then it hasnt got the alinement grove…[sigh] i just cant make up my mind.

if anyone want a hold n fold it seem they are make in the UK here is a link for them http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.htm

12

Thanks for the input guys.[bow]

Sound like Etch Mate may be the way to go, [:)] the only thing is Hold n fold do some realy nice kits with rods and a grove thing for bending curves but then it hasnt got the alinement grove…[sigh] i just cant make up my mind.

if anyone want a hold n fold it seem they are make in the UK here is a link for them http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.htm

13

Use a Wooden dowel to bend round stuff… Brass & Aluminum Rods work well too!!!