Panel line scriber

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials
1

What’s the best panel liner tool?
Just getting back into building model planes after many many years and bought a couple of Eduard’s 109’s.
Always hated rescribing panels just incase I slipped and damaged the plastic.
Thanks

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Hello!

There’s a tip for that - go VERY lightly on your first scribe (meaning don’t use too much force pushing the scriber into the plastic). Then follow with next light scribes (don’t push). This way you will minimize slipping.

My favourite tool for scribing is an ELFA plastic cutter:

I hope this helps, good luck with your projects and have a nice day!

Paweł

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Thanks for replying
As I mentioned not built a model plane since about 2004 as I turned to Armour models that I gave up last year.
I have a razor saw but I don’t think I’ll have much control using it as good as a scriber.
I will check out the one you posted a picture of.
Have a great day.

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Welcome Karljeff! I use a Tamiya Scriber II. I don’t know if it’s the “best,” but seems to work well. And Pawel’s advice is excellent: go very lightly.

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Thanks for the welcome
I just found a Tamiya one on Jadlam for £7.95 cheap enough.
Would like one in my arsenal just in case.
I’m not sure how well the Eduard fuselage halves go together as I know the real Messerschmitts did have a line running down it’s spine as they were more or less built like a model kit.

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I have two different scribers that I use. I have one of the Tamiya scribers, which are nice, and I also have a carbide tipped scriber. My hands don’t always work right. Sometimes I can use the bigger Tamiya scriber, other times I have to use the other scribe as it is the same size as a pencil.

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I use an old dental pick.

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Edit: I wrote this post on my phone last night so I’m just going through now and fixing the hyperlinks.

I’m still figuring out the art of scribing, but I can say that I like having multiple options for the job depending on the width of the line I need, the shape of the part it’s on, etc.

I too have the Tamiya hook-shaped scribing tool, and it does cut really nice V-shaped grooves. However it has a tendency to dig in at inconvenient moments and it’s difficult to make very straight lines.

I really also like the photo-etch Tamiya craft saw blades. They fit in your #11 hobby knife handle, come in a few widths, and are easy to control.

I’ll often rough out a line with the 0.1mm saw, and then follow it with one another tool to clean it up, like these chisels.

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These are useful for all kinds of sculpting jobs, but also make perfectly square-bottomed grooves when used as scrapers. So far, the 0.2mm has been the most versatile for panel lines, but the 1.5 and 2mm blades are great for carving. I like the brand Stedi:

Stedi Model Scriber,Tungsten steel Blades 0.2 mm,for Modeling

Lastly, you need the right straight-edge tape to guide whatever tool you have. The classic type is Dymo label tape, and it works great on flat surfaces, but is too stiff for curves like fuselages. I have some hobby specific scribing tape made by Stedi that works good, at that same Amazon link above.

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Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forums.

I use the Stedi scribing tool. Really like the weight and control. Use it for figures, panel lines and just about anywhere a sharp defining line is needed.
Happy modeling,
Mobious

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Cheers Modious
I ordered the Tamiya scriber as it was the cheapest.
Also ordered a double cement holder as you never know of spillage accident.

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