PE tips please

well, hopefully i'll do okay. everyone was great help..... i saw a flak 88 with PE parts combined for next-to-nothing and so maybe I'll try it again

QUOTE: Originally posted by 53ryder Feel free to give yourself permission to not use every last piece of PE. I have read a number of skilled modelers express this thought. Glenn

Hear, hear !!!

P/E should be used to enhance detail or correct an error.
Too many P/E parts do nothing but replace an OK or maybe too-thick kit part with a too-thin part -- ie, it is P/E for the sake of P/E.
Try sanding the kit part down, or replace with some Evergreen or card stock.

In many cases you are better off collecting P/E generic chains, flooring, etc, rather than specific sets.

Feel free to give yourself permission to not use every last piece of PE. I have read a number of skilled modelers express this thought.

Glenn

Iuse a set of small wire cutters I found in a dollar store. In fact I find most of my tools for my modelling at eather a dollar store or Harbor Freight. Finger Nail files work great for clean up also.

Thanks! "tankergeoff" , for asking the about PE parts , I have a hard time working with them!
Besides helping "tankergeoff ", you folks have given me more insight , into using PE parts. I normally tend to avoid the PE parts, except for larger parts like engine grills.
Thanks for the great advice! , Happy modelling !
Frank
"PERSEVERANCE"

Depends on the fret. Some frets have barely any clearance between the part and the fret, so sprue cutters or wire cutters have a hard time getting in to make the cut. For those, I have a sharp exacto knife that I don't use for anything else. Make the cut with the fret held done to the sticky side of masking tape, works like a charm. I also have a desk magnifier and use needle nose pliers and modelling tweezers to work with the smaller stuff. And of course, the best tool of all? Knowing when to leave the PE on the fret...most people believe that if it's PE, it has to be better, but this isn't always the case.

I am no expert by far either, but I used a photo-etched set on one of my smaller scale ships, and it was a pain. I am hoping it will be easier with the tiger kit I just order. I used a exacto knife to cut the pieces away from the sprue and sanded them down.

wow, everyones great help. thanx

Also, (sorry, I forgot earlier), anneal parts such as belt and round things. I am going to get a set of etchmate rollong things. Now I use tooth picks, turned dowels on my lathe, anything round to form round parts. And the Tiger has bunches.

Ted

Oh, and get a roll of blue and purple painters tape. This is from Mo who is an expert. He uses it for holding delicate assemblies (like tool clamps) and also for cutting out parts so that they don't fly across the room into the carpet monster.

Ted

tankergeoff,

Here's the tools I use, i am no expert by far. Just patient I suppose. Also, if you email me with your address I will send you a UHMW cutting board. tedman111@adelphia.net That and an x-acto knife is what I use to cut PE parts. Also, get a 4-way emory board from Walmart. They are like $1.50. cleans up the parts better than anything. The pliers in the pics are cheap Chinese stuff and work better than anything. I use them to clean up parts and bend delicate parts. Also, buy the best pair of locking tweezers you can find. I got mine from the dentist, free. Don't buy the junk from Ebay, get german or US made tweezers. Once again, I am not an expert, but I have fooled with the PE enough to know that if you ain't got the tools, you might as well not even try. It's just an exercise in frustration.

Hope this helps.

Ted

ive talked around, and from what ive heard, and this is from a very reiable source, the best cutters are the xeron's. they're quote-unqoute "like little scissors." they're extremely fine, and you wouldn't want to use them with anything else, as they would get damaged. But, as for me, i just use wire cutters, or better yet a sharp new knife. cut the pieces so that they're secured, like in the bag they came in. glasses are always a good idea, as the pieces can srping off and hit you in the eye or face. if you've got any other questions, jsut give a buzz....

will the regular small cutters I use for the sprues work alright on PE?

I use a spruecutter to detach mine. Some modelers use a file or sandpaper to sand the rough edges. Hope I helped a bit.