I have 6 different sizes of Piano Hinges (Continuous Hinges), North Star Models, #NS35012. I want to use the hinges to attach Messerschmidt Bf109 canopies.
Would any of you readers please provide me with suggestions as to how I may best bend the flat “teeth” to make the round hinge sections which holds the wire holding the two sections of the piano hinges together?
I have written to North Star Models for suggestions in bending these hinges but have received no response.
In response to the post I emailed Radu Brinzan, the manufacturer of R5 and R10 benders. He informed me that the benders are to be used for angle/edge bends and not for curved bends.
When I made 1/35 hinges for some armor accessories, I very patiently used straight dress-making pins and fine point tweezers to form the hinges. I’d suggest using a pin of the same diameter as the hinge rod. Once assembled, the hinges can be ‘tightened’ with the tweezers.
It’s tedious and slow going, but you can make working hinges this way. Just don’t use them too much or the metal may fail.
I’ll second what Dre said. I use stiff music wire instead of pins and a great pair of cross-locking tweezers, but it’s the same deal–tape everything down as immobile as you can get it, go slow and patiently. After a bit you get in a rhythm and it gets easier.
