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Realistic welds

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  • Member since
    May 2011
Realistic welds
Posted by bignuggets on Monday, April 30, 2012 12:43 AM

For quite a while  I have been experimenting with reproducing accurate scale welds.  Most attempts have been failures or poor examples.  Then finally I heard my wife one afternoon etching her name into some of her quilting tools with an electric engraver.  That gave me an idea.  I waited until I would not get caught, borrowed the engraver and experimented on some scrap plastic in my shop.  After a short time of playing with the engraver I was able to produce some very accurate weld seams.    It takes some practice and a fine, steady hand but I am pleased with the results.  Has anyone else used this technique?  Its worth a try.

 

Alan

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Monday, April 30, 2012 3:53 AM

An interesting idea, & by sharing, that's how we all learn about new ways of doing things.

Can you post any pics?

My interest is that 'most' weld seams are raised, so I want to see your results to see how your method could be used.

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Monday, April 30, 2012 7:36 AM

A method I've used for decades is to scribe a line with a sharp X-Acto knife and a metal ruler where I want the seam to be. I take a piece of stretched sprue stretched to the thickness I want and put it in the groove. I use liquid cement to glue it in place and soften the plastic. I then use the tip of the blade to texture the seam.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, April 30, 2012 11:40 AM

Marc  

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by bignuggets on Monday, April 30, 2012 12:12 PM

Currently I have no pics of how these welds look.  The engraver produces slightly raised seams.  After I have used the engraver I take some 400 grit sandpaper and knock off some of the rough edges.  After paint I use a dark wash on the seams which give the welds a 3D appearance.  This is the simplist way to make welds, at least for me.  I have tried other techniques including milliput and softening stretched sprue with liquid cement (the potential for making mistakes is high) but using the engraver is by far the easiest.  I will try to take a few pics of my latest armor project and submit them.

 

Alan

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