Masking Japanese insignia?

I use a plastic circle template and a new x-acto blade to cut masks from tamiya or drafting tape.

you can get a circle template and drafting tape at any craft store like Michales or Hobby lobby,

I thought about that but wasn't sure if i could get a good circle out of it, I will try it.

You will find it a lot easier to use a compass cutter.

www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14

Or you can buy ready cut masks from companies such as Montex.

mm, I didn't think about the compass cutter but I use what I have.

Hey thanks, I may have to pick one up. I already tried the first idea which I didnt turn out too bad.

Depends on the size of the circle. Compass cutters don't get too small.

Also, its a whole lot easier to lay down a dot than a hole. Paint the area red first, then stick your circle on it and spray the surrounding color.

I often wondered the same thing.  I always cringe when I get to the point of using Japanese hinomarus decals.  I like the template idea, but do they make a drawing compass that takes a cutting blade instead of a pencil, so you can get the circles smaller?

Joe

There is a tool called a swivel knife that can be used with a circle template. It is intended to cut curved lines.

I use a circle template and a new nr 11 blade, when I have to cut meatballs.  Many different ways to get to the same destination.

I too like to paint my hinomaru's. I`ve used an Olfa compass cutter like the ones shown in antoni's post with success, but in my oppinion the results deppend on the quality of the masking material you are using. My best results were when i used 10 cm wide Tamiya tape which differs from their standard tapes being harder /it feels more like paper/ thus enabling you ti make nice hardedged cuts. For my last model i've used custom made masks designed on Corel Draw and cut with a cutting plotter. I don't  how easy will this be in the US but here in Bulgaria 1 sq.m. of vinyl masking foil costs about 4$, and the cutting of all masks that i needed was 1.5$ for around 1/3 sq.m. /the masks were a straight copy of the original Revell decals for my 1/48 Val/. I still have the "cdr" file so if somebody needs it i'll be more than happy to send it.

The suggested  Olfa circle compass cutter did the trick for me.  The key is to have your circle cut in a single pass.  Too much twirling, and the center point is lost.  As mentioned, your results may vary on the tape type.  

Pictured here are a couple 1/72 builds, and you can see you can set the instrument at about a  minimum of 4.5mm radius, creating a 9mm Hinomaru.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

The suggested  Olfa circle compass cutter did the trick for me.  The key is to have your circle cut in a single pass.  Too much twirling, and the center point is lost.  As mentioned, your results may vary on the tape type.  

Pictured here are a couple 1/72 builds, and you can see you can set the instrument at about a  minimum of 4.5mm radius, creating a 9mm Hinomaru.

regards,

Jack

I use an Olfa cutter as well (roughly $5 at craft store).

I have had zero luck trying to cut a circle by spinning the cutter...the end never matches up to the start. I stick my tape to a piece of scrap plastic...hold cutter in place  , and with fairly light pressure, rotate the piece of plastic...perfect circle every time!

Also, as a side note...I heated up the plastic, just above the needle, and bent it in towards the blade...I can get a circle down to just under 1/4" (opposed to the 1/2" as is).

As was mentioned, it is much easier to place the "dot" than it is to place the outer mask. I prefer to paint the marking over the finished paint job....

Place the "dot" (much easier to get this in the right place), then place the outer mask around the "dot"(as in top of pic)...romove "dot"(as in bottom of pic)....BOOM, perfect circle!

As with all bright colors (red, yellow, orange, even blue) it helps tremendously to spray flat white first!

On this example, I masked and painted all the markings ('cept for the #s)