photoetched metals

I've only used PE a couple times so I'll just share my limited knowledge. Have a nice sharp hobby knife or razor blade on hand to cut pieces from the fret. I've seen some suggest placing the fret on the sticky side of a piece of tape so the parts don't go flying when you cut them off. Magnification of some kind is very helpful for small assemblies. Next, make sure to double or triple check which way the piece needs to be bent BEFORE bending it or there is a good chance it will break when trying to bend it back (wonder how I know this. Lastly, use a glue that will give you some working time for parts that you need to position. I used regular super glue on my last build and it's a pain trying to get it in position before the glue sets up, which is about 3 seconds later LOL. I just recieved a bottle of Gator's Grip glue so I'm looking forward to giving that a try on my next build.

Others on here have a lot more experience then me and should be able to give some more advice.

Jus take your time and you'll do fine

Gator Grip Glue is the way to go,just discovered it for my last two builds.Great stuff.

Because PE pieces are so very light, they do not need a lot of bonding strength to hold in place.  Many of us use white glue, diluted 1:1 with water.  Gives you a lot of working time, excess glue does not make as much of a mess. 

Carrying and placing a piece at the right spot on model can require some skill. Use of tweezers can launch a piece across the room of your fingers twich.  Some use those little vacuum picker-uppers, but there is a limit to how small of a piece they will hold.  I sometimes use a tiny ball of  poster tack on end of a toothpick, but it takes two hands- one to hold toothpick and another to hold some pointed instrument to hold the PE in place while you pull away the toothpick and tack.

Check the set and determine which bits you don't need. Some PE parts, such as flat brake lines, are less than realistic.

these are excellent

http://www.snmstuff.co.uk/product/ultimate-modelling-products-photoetch-placer/

I picked up a set of small pliers at Hobby Lobby.  Several diferent types in the set, especially the smooth jawed flat nose.  Usefull for bending PE.  In the jewelery making section, under $15

Good ideas and advice above.

Also, if you do some Googling, there are quite a few very good video tutes out there. When I started with PE  a few years back, I didn't even know what a PE was or what a fret looked like, let alone what to do with it. That's what I did.

In addition to Tojo's Gator Grip recommendation, their new thin formula is the treat for PE, even better than the orig I think. I gave up with CA and PE even though lots of folks use it. I just make messes.

Thanks to all who replied. 

If you are installing ship railing, try not to have the joins at the corners.

is that for strength gmorrison

Its harder to line up the rails and a bend at the corners look better, I think.

Marcus McBean

Its harder to line up the rails and a bend at the corners look better, I think.

 

I agree.  And, bend those corners, fitting to deck planform, before starting attachment.  Things go much quicker and smoother if you are not trying to bend as you glue.