Would like to get a consensus on the best (and affordable) PE folder on the market - this would be primarily for 1/700 and 1/350 scale ships. Thanks.
I usually use a set of jewelry pliers that I got at Hobby Lobby, and a couple of single edge razor blades on either a hard surface or a green cutting mat.
I have an Etch Mate 3C. I hardly use it, a pair of long tapereded flat nosed pliers is the best tool i have found for all but very large pieces.
I love the Hold and Fold from The Small Shop but also use small pliers for simple bends.
I only have good pliers and I don’t feel like I need a special tool for working with PE.
My Small Shop 4" (Mk.IV RTH) has proven to be very handy. It has a several differant “fingers” for holding small shapes, or you can turn it around and use the straight 4" side for longer bends. This or something similar would probably work well for ship railings and the like. For all but small simple bends it works better for me than pliers; holds the part steady and frees me to use either hand to do the bends.
Small pliers do the job for me. Don’t do too much PE.
Jim [cptn]
I spent a number of hours several years ago building a folding tool like those commercial ones. I do a lot of pe work, and find myself using it less and less. I also find, like others above, that working with good pliers and screwdrivers I can do the bending I need without setting up that tool. Takes a little practice to acquire the skill, but once acquired it goes faster with pliers and screwdrivers than with those bending jigs.
I have an etch mate but I never use it. Most work is with a pair of single edge razor blades.
Hi ;
I too , have an Etch Mate , but , rarely use it . Two utility knife blades and some Stained glass pliers work fine for most of what I do .
I use the Etch Mate. Can’t say it’s the most affordable, but I like it. I will say, no matter what method you use, it’s a lot easier if you anneal the metal first. You hold it over a flame just long enough to change the color a bit, and this softens the metal. After that it’s easier to bend. Some PE sets out there are so stiff it’s hard to get a sharp corner otherwise. Just don’t do this with pre-painted PE.
Hi Don,
I too use pliers for bending if you can I would like to see your home made tool.
Andy