Using Photo Etched Kits

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I am new at using a photo etched kits. Does anyone have some suggestions for applying and bending - especially bending. That looks like it is going to be more fun that going to the Dentist!

2

I have the Etch mate bending tool. I love it. Alot of time and care can produce excelent results.Some things you can use tweezers small pliers on. Lots of practice and take your time

…Harv My 1/32 F105 seat EDUARDS PE setIMG_0389-1.jpg picture by dirtball_photo

3

WOW - what an excellent job you did on the seat. I Goggled the etch mat and came up with the Mission Models Etch Mate 3C Photo Etch Bending Tool @ a cost of $49.95. Thanks for your help.

4

Your welcome, glad I could help. Good luck and have fun…Harv

5

Hey Harv…whatch out for tweezer launch. LOL

Jerry

6

Model Expo.com offers the same Etch-Mate for 39.99. Its the same model and make and everything just a few bucks less…

Just a heads up

7

http://www.modelexpo-online.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe?FNM=06&T1=MIO-21&UID=2008030411340558&UREQA=1&TRAN85=N&GENP=

Here is the link for the etch mate on Model Expo’s website. They even have a video on how to use it.

Tom

8

Thanks a bunch! $10 savings is great!

9

Welome to the darkside! Your nights will be filled with curses as tiny little pieces of brass lanch themselves off your workbench and into the abyss under your work area. Sorry jusy kidding good luck with your first go at photo-etch. One word of advice when you cut the parts free do it on a piece of masking tape sticky side up. This will stop the parts from jumping up as you free them from the trees. There are alot of helpfull tips when it comes to using phot-ecth. I would definetly bone up on some of it so your first experience is more enjoyable. It is a pain in the rear to work with but the results are definetly wort the effort.

Soulcrusher

10

Thanks for the info. I have read alot about how to trim the pieces, but yours was the first to mention masking tape. I like that idea the best! Last weekend I was trimming a piece and it flipped up in the air. Of course, it is so light you do not hear a sound when it lands. That night I went to put my house shoes on and feel something sharp. Lo and behold it was the missing piece!

Got any suggestions about rolling a piece of photo etched into a cylinder?

11

use round scrap sprue or solid brass rod to the size of the required size ! put the brass piece on you finger then press the sprue/brass rod onto it rolling the sprue gently to curve the etched part, works for me .

ian.

12

I highly recommend investing in a pair of Dr. Slick’s fly-tying scissors:

http://www.schmidtoutfitters.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1322

They have very tiny serrations on the blades, which keep the work from slipping as you cut. You can make very precise cuts on PE parts, right up to their edges, with little or no bits of connecting tab left to file or sand off. One of the best tool investments I’ve made in this hobby.

Regards,
Bruce

13

Hey Jerry, too late man. I`ve already launched about a dozen or so parts!! Good thing some of the smallest parts have exta!!! Its so much fun tring to find PE the size of a grain of sand on creamy carpet…Harv

14

Aaaah, the nasty carpet monster rears it’s ugly head once again.

Darwin, O.F. [alien]

15

Oh you poor lad, falling under PEs nasty spell! Kidding. Although I have used very little PE on my airplanes, I use a TON of it on my ships, so here are two of the most useful things I’ve bought:

  • Xuron Precision Shear, No. 440. It cuts an absolutely square edge, no pinched-in parts, and I can trim ship railings and other parts flush with no trouble at all. This is especially good on the thicker brass frets or shudder stainless steel.
  • Tamiya diamond file, No. 400. I used to have a devil of a time getting off the tiny nubs that attach a PE part to the fret, but no longer. Usually just a few swipes of this lovely little tool and I have a smooth, flush edge. It’s a half round file, though, so it can handle curves as well.

My only other advice is, when you launch a PE part out into space, and you will, try really hard to find it for two good reasons: 1) You probably need it for your model, and 2) Finding it with your bare foot hurts like holy you know what and may necessitate minor surgery for removal.

16

Sage advise. There is a reason why the give 5 little tiny radio switches when you only need 2[;)]

17

Here’s a link to a step-by-step of my process. Hopefully it’ll give you some perspective. I love PE! http://swannysmodels.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1190601077/45

18

I found another tool from Mission Models along with the etch mate that will help you with making a radius with photo etch parts.

MULTI TOOL RADIUS ENLARGER - SMALL

Now, you can create fast and accurate radii in photo-etch and wire!

Featuring machined aluminum and tool steel construction, Multi-Tool is laser marked with a sizing index in both metric and inch increments. It is self-contained and does not require separate dowels or pins. Available in two sizes.

Sizes from .375" (9.53 mm), .325" (8.26mm), .225" (5.72 mm), 175" (4.45 mm), .100" (2.54"), .047" (1.20)

MULTI TOOL RADIUS ENLARGER - LARGE

PRECISION TOOLS FROM MISSION MODELS

Now, you can create fast and accurate radii in photo-etch and wire! Featuring machined aluminum and tool steel construction, Multi-Tool is laser marked with a sizing index in both metric and inch increments. It is self-contained and does not require separate dowels or pins. Available in two sizes.

Sizes from .500" (12.70 mm), .350" (8.89 mm), .300" (7.62 mm), .250 (6.35 mm), .200" (5.08 mm), .125" (3.18 mm), .0631" (1.60 mm).

Both of these tools can be found at: http://www.modelexpo-online.com/cgi-bin/sgsh0101.exe?Cmp005CACBA25FNM=14&Cmp005CACBA25UID=2008030609304930&SKW=mission+models