New to photo etched parts

[colin m]

Just to add to all the good advice about, I stick the PE fret to some 'upside down' masking tape. The when you cut the part you want off, it will stick to the tape and not fly off somewhere.

[shaun platts]

Shaun I use a CD to cut PE on with a Morton Blade knife. Use a magnifier to make sure the cut is perfectly on the line.
For sticking I use CA. Best not to flood as it will take an age to go off. Just a smigin will do.


To place in position, which I have found the most difficult, is to use these http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/micr...ex-i-file.html


Also found not to religiously use every bit of PE. About 50% I have found (1/48) not to be as good as the original plastic detail. IE be a bit circumspect about PE and which bit improves the model.


Eduard who produce most PE have a Zoom range. Just come across it. This is a much lesser amount of PE than the full pack.


As far as tools are concerned it really depends on how into PE you are. My 50% token use is catered for by PE long nose pliers which I use for bending. Remembering I produce 1/48 scale. I have bending tools etc but not used them in any great degree.


Laurie


PS welcome to the forum Shaun. Nothing to do with Nick Park's Shaun the Sheep ?

They look really useful. Thanks for the great reply. Unsurprisingly I was Shaun the Sheep all the way through school

[shaun platts]

Thanks everybody. I am excited about giving PE a go.

[Marc Stock]

Welcome to our forum. This is the friendliest forum on the planet.

[Guest]

Hi Shaun welcome to the forum great bunch of people hear very helpful I use pe all the time it is very fragile but don't be scared in my opinion it is best put on before painting if you don't brush paint and I put it on with cyano thin usually if it's a large ish flat bit you can roughen the back with some 800sand paper I do have a set for the tamiya keep made by aber and it does look very fidly maybe not the best set if you have not used pe before another thing is don't feel you have to use everything on the sheet this set in particular gets everything even battery terminal wingnuts anyway welcome aboard all the best for now


Roger

[shaun platts]

Hi Shaun welcome to the forum great bunch of people hear very helpful I use pe all the time it is very fragile but don't be scared in my opinion it is best put on before painting if you don't brush paint and I put it on with cyano thin usually if it's a large ish flat bit you can roughen the back with some 800sand paper I do have a set for the tamiya keep made by aber and it does look very fidly maybe not the best set if you have not used pe before another thing is don't feel you have to use everything on the sheet this set in particular gets everything even battery terminal wingnuts anyway welcome aboard all the best for now
Roger

Thanks for your reply. I just downloaded instructions for eduards PE set. Doesn't look too complicated and I won't need everything.

[shaun platts]

Get yourself some small flat faced pliers, they're indispensable for bending small parts and are less cumbersome that most PE tools.
Like most things practice makes perfect but it's not really that difficult. A magnifier may also be useful for really small parts. As you get more used to photo etch you'll find out that some parts require soldering together for strong bonds.


You should be ok with just CA glue, the pliers would be useful as will some good fine tweezers.


I hope this helps.


Cheers


Paul

Thanks a lot. Am going to give it a go when I get around to ordering the PE.

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. I just downloaded instructions for eduards PE set. Doesn't look too complicated and I won't need everything.

Well done I think Eduard is good stuff good luck with your build and do post some pictures during after or both all the best


Roger

[shaun platts]

Well done I think Eduard is good stuff good luck with your build and do post some pictures during after or both all the best
Roger

I will no doubt be posting through the build asking for help. I can't wait to get started just got a few bits to get sorted first.