discussion PE pain

[geegad]

Just wondered how you lads go about sticking too pieces of P.E (photo etch) together

I.e making a ammo box

Cause ive got some ammo boxes for a future model and I've always struggled to get the buggers to stick to each other so please do tell...what's your secrets

Geegad

 

[Ian M]

Solder!

Either get hold of a cheap soldering iron, of buy some solder paste. Clean and degrease a dab of solder then hit it with a mini gas burner. A gas lighter no good to much soot.

Ian M

 

[Dave W]

Ians method is the best way.But If you havent got the soldering gear try using superglue gel.its a lot easier to control and doesnt imediately bond the parts to your fingers like the normal stuff!.

 

[Ian M]

Thats the good thing about solder paste. You can heat it with any clean heat source so no soldering iron is needed.

Must ask this: do you have a gas cooker....

I will add that if you have plans to do loads of PE the small investment is quickly earned back on all the CA glue you don't use. (not to mention time saved).

Ian M

 

[geegad]

Cheers for the help lads I think I'm going to go down the soldering iron route I've got a lot of pe to do in the next lot of my models so thanks again

Geegad

 

[Dave W]

I've not heard of solder paste.I will have to try that myself.

 

[Ian M]

If you can find a cheapish one go for one that has adjustable temperatures, the lower it can go the better. It makes things easier if you have a lot of things to solder together in a small area. I have a collection of solders that all melt at different temps. 60, 80, 100, 150 and 200. Its just a case of starting with the highest melting point one first and work down. That way the part you have just soldered on does not melt off when you do the next bit. Ask me how I figured that one out lol.

An other good trick if you have loads of boxes to solder up is a small hot plate. Fold the parts past them and place them onto the heated hot plate. Job done.

I have a place where you can get all the solders you can dream of, but the address is on the old PC so I will have to find a receipt first. Watch this space.

Ian M