Need your input. I have returned to building my super detailed 1/48 B1B and decided to make my own photo etched flaps, detailed wheel wells and bomb bays. I contacted several firms to produce the parts but none have responded so I thought I might try and make my own. Done a lot of research but wanted to hear what others have to say.
Anyone out there done this? If so I’d be interested in your input whether success or failure. I looked at the Micro Mark photo etch kit but seems as though the overall size of the finished brass fret is allfully small. I’ll post some pictures of my progress on this very intricate project this week. Thanks.
You must not be talking the right language…if you have the master patterns drawn up they should be more than happy to discuss options with you.
The couple of times I’ve done my own PE it was a mess and only resulted in fairly decent parts. Even the huge ones were marginal…takes practice and the right setup to be effective and produce good quality materials. Try it! You might find you have a cottage industry in the making…I too would love a set for my B-1’s I have two in the stash to do…one is a restoration project the othe still in the box.
I’d rather spend my $$ for items that can be seen after the model is assembled versus those that dissappear once the model is sealed up. [%-)]
If you don’t find anyone who will listen…drop me a note…I have contacts that might be of help.
Are you doing drawings that make the photo-resist masks? If you can do that in a computer drawing program, even as a bitmap (tif) file, or better as a vector file as in Corel Draw, or an AutoCad type dwg or dxf file, which most inexpensive cad programs will do, you should be able to find someone to do the job. The hard part about doing it yourself is buying the chemicals that you need to etch metals, and disposing of them afterwords because they are toxic.
Here’s a link to a how to. Unless you are in Austrailia Hollywood Foundry is a bit far to do your work, but there is a lot of info in their pdf.
http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/Docs/Metal%20Etching%20Principles%20and%20Rules.pdf
Thanks for the input. Yes I have the masks done. There are about 6-700 parts overall. Going to be a giant install job!Fortunately I have Autocad and am very good with it. Just seems like maybe the job is too small for some of the U.S. based companies to be bothered with. I’ll keep checking and let you know how I make out. Either way I’ll post some pics of the project this week. Thanks again!
Try checking with Radio Shack. If I’m not mistaken it is the same process that you make printed circuit boards with. Back 20 years ago Radio Shack is where we bought all od our supplies from.
I have the Micro Mark kit to make etched parts. It does restrict the size of the etch you can make. I haven’t use my kit yet, however, I have a few things I have drawn in Corel Draw ready to be etched.
Fry’s has larger kits to make photo etch circuit boards. They also have the tanks, chemicals and other supplies seperatly. Link to their Circuit Bord section. http://shop3.frys.com/category/Outpost/Electronic+Components/Prototype+Board+Equipment+&+Books/Printed+Circuit+Boards?accipterAreaString=
Fry’s retail store is a different entity and has a better selection of supplies to make photo etch.