photo etch Folding tool?

[Guest]

Hi all i am new to modelling and i am currently building/painting a tamiya m151 mutt as my first project i also have 2 new kits which have photo etched brass. My question is do i need a tool to bend the brass? If so could anyone recommend one to me.

Much appreciated thanks

[Guest]

Yes, actually, I've just today received my first batch of photo-etched parts, a cockpit for my Me262 which is my next project. I've never had anything to do with brass parts, so I'm slightly intimidated by the teenyness of them and wondering if anyone has any good advice. Apart from "use tweezers and a magnifying glass"...

[Guest]

They recommended one in SAM magazine a few months ago (I indulged in a subscription) and recall looking it up and finding it was 30 or 40 quid so decided against it! :-)

Maybe they aren't all that pricey? Can look it up again if you want?

[edit]Looked it out anyway - http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&r eq=viewtopic&topic_id=145191 - called "The Bug" by the looks of it - they called it "Highly Recommended" in SAM [/edit]

[Ian M]

A-Ha! Welcome to a world of cussing and swearing.......

Only joking.

A folding tool is a great help but not essential. I use one of those bug things: Photo Etch Bending Tool The BUG RTH Hold and Fold Workstation [sMS002] - $39.99 : The Small Shop, Makers of the Hold and FoldYes a bit pricey but well worth the dosh. I also use a pair of Tamiya folding pliers. Good for the longer bits.

Cutting: A heavy blade will do it. A good pair of fine scissors are also an option. Again I use both. Once cut off you will need some form for file to remove the last stumps of the tab. As fine a file as you can find.

As for sticking it together. Five people will give five differing replies. I use Gator Glue, Super Glue and even solder!

To keep things in place when cutting a bit of tape on the back of the fret will stop bits pinging across the room.

A bit of thick glass or glazed tile makes a good chopping block!

Ian M

[Guest]

I can not afford to spend a lot on a tool thanks for the help though, I have seen some on ebay for about £30 too much

[Ian M]

As a starter you could get by with a thick steel rule and a stanley knife blade.

Ian M

[Gern]

You might want to have a look at this one:

Flip-R5 Folding tool for photo etched parts Flip-R5 Folding tool for photo etched parts [RB-T002] - €12.50 : RB Productions Store, Scale models and accessories by Radu Brinzan

Very basic but it does the job. Unless you're going to be using lots of PE, it would hardly seem worthwhile spending a fortune on tools for it.

Gern

[Guest]

Tamiya actually make a tool specifically for the job, I have one in my arsenal, it is a wide flat bladed affair basically like a pair of long nose pliers with a spring clip in the middle to allow easy useage. Well worth £15 of anyones money! Trawl around Evil bay or maybe even John can lay his hands on some of these?

Andy

[Guest]

Tamiya Bending Pliers For Photo Etched Parts - 74067 - £22.50

I found a pair of regular old long nose pliers to work fine when I built a Ferrari F40 race car a few years back, but maybe that's just because I was young and skint

EDIT: Is linking okay on this forum? Apologies if not

[Guest]

Tape 2 Stanley Blades together, then place the piece you wish to bend inbetween the stanley blades n pop a clamp on it, then take a 3rd Stanley blade and insert it into the gap between the 2 blades and bend upwards against the blade...works a treat for me...Nice n cheap..