Hello, everyone modelers, I wanted to show something recently built, I know this is not a model, but a tool for bending sheet metal photoetched, how do you like it?
More pictures can be found in my gallery.
http://rafhart.manifo.com/photo-etch-bending-tool
Warm greetings from Poland.
Rafał Książek
Cześć Rafał!
Your tool is looking just beautiful! Where did you find a shop to anodize the parts in such nice colours?
But I have to say I’m using photoetch for years now and I actually never had a use for such a tool. Maybe if I had it, I would find a use for it.
Anyhow, thanks for sharing and have a nice day
Paweł
That is a beautiful photo etch bending tool! I love these type of equipment. You might not use it all the time but when you do, it’s such a pleasure to be able to have that on hand.
I’m in Ohio, USA. I went on the Internet and bought my tool from the Small Shop. I purchased the model called “The Bug”. I love it. It does a fantastic job.
Congratulations on obtaining such a wonderful and eye appealing photo etch bending tool!
Toshi
Beautiiful metalworking. Seeing it made me think of something a bit off topic. A few years ago a bunch of us went back to our high school about 40 years after graduation. This was a huge school with all top tiier equipment in the shop classes. EVERY shop class was closed down with the exception of auto shop. Kinda sad.
Is this a tool that will be for sale soon? Or is it just a personal project?
I like the look of it very much. I’ve modeled for quite a few years but only tried PE once or twice. I’m not a big fan of it.
Pawel, what is your technique for bending and installing PE? Do you have some WIP pics? I’d be interested in seeing what guys are doing who do NOT use a PE tool.
–Chris
Hi Rafal !
Although your tool looks great I already have more than one that I like . One similar for 1/25 and 1/96 and others including certain pliers to bend the smaller stuff . Quality looks great and well ordered . Are you going to try to sell it in the states ?
Hello, for now it created a series prototype, constantly tests and collect opinions, has been up for sale last pieces. It is planned next series, at the beginning of 2017.
Hello!
Rafał - good luck with your tool!
Chris - I’m mainly building 1:72 aircraft and AFVs and 1:35 AFVs. To work with the PE parts while doing this I use this tool:
I bought those pliers in a jewellery supplies shop - weren’t too expensive, neither - they had cost me about 10$. Smooth jaws without serration, precise, tight fit and fine tips - I can use those for 95% of bends. Sometimes I hold the part to be bent with the pliers and press against a hard table top. When I need to bend a long, straight edge I usually use two metal rulers - I put the part to be bent on top of one of the rulers and put the edge of the other ruler on top of the part and then I press the second ruler down. Once the bend is there I can band the part further until I get the angle I want. It’s worth noting that for complex bends and especially for rolling it’s good to heat the PE part until it’s red hot and then let cool slowly. That makes the part softer and less prone to cracking.
Hope it helps - thanks for reading and have a nice day
Paweł
Interesting! Thank you!
–Chris
After 6 months of testing, model building, sheet metal bending, I built the next model. How do you like it ?
