I’m thinking of doing my own zim and was wondering if the AFV Club doe or the Tamiya rakes are the better tool to do zim. I was wondering in particular if anyone has used the AFV one. Seems easy enough and has the correct scale width. Thanks.
Good ?, I’m thinking of making the plunge too. I have heard folks using squadron putty. I think that the green has longer drying time and is better to work with than the white.
Hey Guys!
I’m not a zim expert, but I have experimented with several different types of zim applications, including AFV’s roller die. Being at work, I don’t have the tool with me, but if I remember correctly there are two sizes of zim rollers and also two small pressing tools for hard to reach places. In theory it seems workable, but I couldn’t keep the putty from sticking to the roller and pulling up from the surface. Maybe I was doing something wrong?
I have also used Tamiya’s and Gum Ka’s rake tools with more success Used them with different 2-part epoxy putties (Tamiya, Apoxie-Sculpt, Zim-It-Rite, etc). Apoxie-sculpt seemed to give the best results. Its very forgiving since it dries slow. Tamiya dries way too fast, Zim-It-Rite was too dry and crumbly, other epoxies were too “wet” and didn’t hold the zim shape well. .
I have a magazine at home where someone did a Tiger using the Tamiya rake tool and something called “Forget Nails”. Its some sort of PVA based glue used to replace nails! Looked pretty decent, but I think this glue is only sold in England?
Anyway I hope this helps!
Unfortunately I have no experience with the AFV set. I have used the Tamiya tools on my Panther A. They include two tooth pitches, 0.7mm and 0.5mm. The wider pitch is actually significantly overscale for most applications, but nonetheless looks quite nice once completed. The narrower pitch is probably a lot closer to actual 1/35 scale. They include several tool widths for each tooth pitch. Ranging from two or three inches down to about 1/4 inch. Overall, I found the Tamiya tools quite adequate for the task.
Green’s drying time is still fast. You have to apply the zim quickly and in small sections at a time. Also very unforgiving if you mess up. However, I’ve heard of some modelers mixing the green with liquid cement (Humbrol was mentioned) and either using the rake tool or a screwdriver tip. Apparently the cement keeps the green putty from drying too fast and also allows good adhesion to the surface. Sounds really messy though and even more unforgiving!
I have a set of Royal Model Zimmerit rakes and have had no problems at all with them…I’v not seen the Tamiya ones but think they should be the same.
As for the medium I use I have to agree with bufflehead that the No Nail’s stuff we get over here is brilliant…it’s slightly grainy but is easily workable and doesnt dry too quick and being pva based is very durable once dry.
Aves and the tamiya tool is all I use.
I try to support Ausfwerks as much as possible.
what he said ^
Same here. Long live the Bendicator.
Larry
The Tamiya tool looks to be the faster of the tools. I’ll have to check into the Royal Models one too. Thanks for the replys.