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Working with Photo Etched parts - specifically on the Gallery Models 1/48 H-34

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  • Member since
    February 2013
Posted by Raven Morpheus on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 1:21 AM

Interesting, thanks.

I've given up on the idea of buying Gallery H-34, mostly it's the PE work that puts me off, as well as the cost of the kit.

  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by CrashTestDummy on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 3:27 PM

My favorite small PE adhesive is clear paint.  I use Model Master gloss clear.  Just put a dab on the place you want to put the part, and then set the PE part on that.  The paint takes a bit longer to set, allowing you to move the part around and get it positioned to your satisfaction, and the small parts won't slide around due to gravity as much as a larger part would.  I also like to use 5-minute epoxy with great success.

To drill holes, especially small ones, you'll want to get a pin-vise kit.  It'll come with a set if very small drill bits and a holder.  You clamp the drill bit in the vise and drill your holes by hand.  You can make a dimple in the plastic with the tip of a sharp No. 11 Exacto blade, or just the tip of a straight pin, depending on how small a drill bit you're using.  

Gene Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

G. Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

  • Member since
    February 2013
Posted by Raven Morpheus on Thursday, July 18, 2013 6:03 AM

Ah, thanks.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 12:55 PM
A candle will do. And just pass it over the flame. Do not put it in the flame or heat the PE to long, this will damage or even melt the PE.

  • Member since
    February 2013
Posted by Raven Morpheus on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 9:58 AM

Ah thanks.  I hadn't thought that I might need to heat up the PE parts to bend them, and looking at the kit several of the PE pieces need bending.

Would a cigarette lighter do?  Presumably I don't need to heat it up too much?

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 9:28 AM

PE is often brass but can be steel as wel. CA is the right type of glue. If you need the fold the PE, first aneal the PE by heating it.

Could you get away with not putting PE parts on your build: NO! JMN's and riviet counters wil come in your house and steal your models....

Sure you can choose to not use PE, remember:

“Build what YOU want, the way YOU want to, and above all, have fun.”

- Al Superczynski

  • Member since
    February 2013
Working with Photo Etched parts - specifically on the Gallery Models 1/48 H-34
Posted by Raven Morpheus on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 7:38 AM

Hello again

I've been inspired by constructors fantastic build of the Gallery Models 1/48 H-34 US Marines kit and I plan on buying one soon and building it once I've completed the UH-1D and the UH-1B Huey gunship/USCG Bell 47 that I've yet to start.

However I'm a little concerned by the number of photo etched parts, because I've never ever seen, let alone worked with, photo etched parts so I don't know what to expect.

So, I have a few questions -

How difficult is PE to work with (I'm assuming it's thin brass?) - would I need to use CA to attach the parts?

Could I get away with not putting on the really small PE parts, such as those on the tail section?

With regards to drilling/boring out the plastic underneath the PE parts what would be the best way to go about that - I have a dremel-like tool but I'm thinking that's not the best thing to use?

Thanks in advance.

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