Hold n Fold OR Etch mate

I have the Etch Mate and it works pretty well. It comes with an attachment to bend round parts also.

Can't say too much about the H&F.

I have the 2" Hold n Fold. I really like the small size as I can pick it up and use it close to my 20/600 eyes!! I want to get a bigger one also, and will probably go with the Etchmate, especially if it does curvey parts like Eric mentioned.

Bill

I have a custom job that I picked up at the Nats in '02. The fellow that had them had only made about a half dozen units and sold them for $40 each. It's made from a slab of CNC milled 6061(?) aluminum, and has the varied size bending points. It's operated by 2 wing nuts that provide tension on either end. I absolutely love it. It's even good for holding small pieces of sheet styrene so it can be scored/cut accurately.

Gip Winecoff

Hey guys, were can you purchase the items listed above. I saw an ad in finescalemodeler for a board to bend photo etched parts, but it's listed @ 65.00 us. Is that the standard going rate?
mark956

Mark,

greatmodels.com has the Etchmate in at the moment. Not sure about any of the Hold n Fold's. Mission Models also sells the Etchmate (in fact, they make it, or are the distributors, or whatever).

Yes, $65 is it for the Etchmate. There are 3 different sizes of Hold n' Fold that start at $25 for a 2", about $45 for a 4", and $65 for an 8".

I have never seen any of them discounted anywhere on the net.

Good luck

Bill

Thanks Bill.
mark956

After reading reviews and comparisons of the two tools, I had decided on getting the Hold n Fold. Some reviewers didn't like the alignment groove and other small problems with the Etch Mate.
However, I ended up getting the Etch Mate anyway because it was the only one I ever saw on sale here in Japan! It cost about $75 US.

And I love it! I see no problems with the alignment groove or any other of the gripes I had read about. It's a great tool that takes the stress out of folding PE. And it's actually quite fun to use!
On top of all that, it's a beautiful piece of machining. Excellent quality.

i bought a etchmate 2 weeks ago from the barrelstore www.bentbutnotbroken.com , they had a 15% off everything sale , it looks like they still have that sale going on too. i haven't had a chance to try it yet though so i can't comment on it , i'll use it once the panther group build kicks off.

Eric:

QUOTE: It comes with an attachment to bend round parts also.

How does it work? Does it just get the bend started? How big a range of radi can you do? It sounds like just what I'm looking for.

Bill

Thanks for the input guys.

Sound like Etch Mate may be the way to go, the only thing is Hold n fold do some realy nice kits with rods and a grove thing for bending curves but then it hasnt got the alinement grove........ i just cant make up my mind.

if anyone want a hold n fold it seem they are make in the UK here is a link for them http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.htm

Thanks for the input guys.

Sound like Etch Mate may be the way to go, the only thing is Hold n fold do some realy nice kits with rods and a grove thing for bending curves but then it hasnt got the alinement grove........ i just cant make up my mind.

if anyone want a hold n fold it seem they are make in the UK here is a link for them http://www.thesmallshop.com/index.htm

Use a Wooden dowel to bend round stuff... Brass & Aluminum Rods work well too!!!