Using PE for the first time...

Sure, quite a few.

Clean the PE in its fret, using lacquer thinner, but DONT rub it. Just let it air dry.

Paint it a neutral color like gray Tamiya primer while still on the fret.

Buy a box of single edged razor blades and use them to chop the parts off the fret.

Use a razor blade in each hand, one pressing down on the place at the bend, and one slipped under the part to be bent, and make the bend by hand.

Dont join runs of railings at the corners. Make a corner a part of each section.

Set in little spots of white glue to position, then run in CA on the end of a toothpick later.

Youll really need a folding jig.  This is what I use:

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/13628.html

Its a great tool. But I believe theyre all about the same, and what really matters is you get the size you feel youll need for your usual projects.  You may need some rollers too (although I use various cylindrical objects for that).

Years from now you'll still mess up a part from time to time. The only way to learn is to do it so keep at it. I also think a bending tool makes a huge difference. One source of high quality but expensive choices is The Small Shop http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

Just about all online retailers have similar products so take a few minutes and find something that looks OK and fits your budget..

Good luck 

The Small Shop is a great place to find exactly the right size photoetch bender to suit your needs. They arent really cheap, but well worth the money spent. The Bug may work for you, but if you build ships and they vary in scale a bigger bender may be prefered. For paint prep I simply dip my parts in a brass blackening solution, such as Antique Black, it works very well.

http://thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=9

This is the Bug and it will come with a bender and a glass plate for cutting.

I'm just into my 1st shot at PE and I've got a lot to learn too! I need surgeon training I think!

So, I'm reading some notes here about painting before assy.? I guess I'm wondering wny I would glue and then prime already attached? Doesnt the pre-painted process cause adhereance issues if not "cleaned" at glue joints?

I think the razor blade method is a good one to start with.  That way when you tweezer launch the nicely folded part into the unknown for the second or third time the razor blades will be right there to open up your wrists in frustration.  LOL.

I have recently invested in a folding tool and find it very handy.

BTW a helpful tip read on this forum was to put a dark color towel on the floor under work area, lap, chair. Makes finding launched pieces wayyyy easier!

.

I use the bug and wouldnt be without it. I bought a cheap one once and it wouldnt even hold the PE when clamped. The Bug is well worth the money. You have alot more control with it over using 2 razor blades.

Bill

I am a firm believer in buying the right tool for the job. Sure you will spend money on a photoetch bender, but if you are a model builder, it's money well spent. I would never tell someone not to buy an airbrush because it may cost too much so just paint by hand with brushes, it's much cheaper. Buy the right tool if you can and be done with it.

I use carpenter's wood chisels. I have a set from 1/8 inch wide to 1 inch wide . Just hold the PE part down at the bend line with one ,and bend it up with the other. I've had no problems doing it this way and it's way quicker and cheaper than any bending tool. The only exception i've found is with bending long parts like ship's railings where a bending tool would be handy. My $15 Hold and Fold fits that bill nicely but that's the only time I ever use it.

When I first started to use PE I had a rough time until I was told you've gotta bend the stuff as close as possible to it's final position before gluing so there isn't any spring in the metal to fight against and to use PVA glue (white glue, like Elmer's) instead of CA... it solved a lot of problems for me. Later on I got better with the stuff and found myself using CA more with good results.

Sandbox

I think the razor blade method is a good one to start with.  That way when you tweezer launch the nicely folded part into the unknown for the second or third time the razor blades will be right there to open up your wrists in frustration.  LOL.

I have recently invested in a folding tool and find it very handy.

 

I think I peed myself reading this reply.

bluewavecaptain

Sandbox

I think the razor blade method is a good one to start with.  That way when you tweezer launch the nicely folded part into the unknown for the second or third time the razor blades will be right there to open up your wrists in frustration.  LOL.

I have recently invested in a folding tool and find it very handy.

 

 

 

 

I think I peed myself reading this reply.