Enter keywords or a search phrase below:
So i am currently building an 1/350 scale model of the R.M.S. Titanic, and have been thinking about trying photo etch on her. Problem is, i have absolutely no experience with photo etching,
I have build the titanic many times before in 1/1200, 1/700 and 1/400 which was my very first model. But the railing on these kinds of models are always so out of scale, it kills the scale effect and makes the ship look much smaller then they are.
With all the skill i have gained since that first kit, i wanted to revisit my favorite ship, and want to make her as perfect as i can with what i know. I have already put alot of research into making sure the colors of the model are as historicly accurate as possible, and it would be a shame if the railing would be extremely out of scale.
So back to the point, are there any tips that would help me put photo etch railing on the model? I had my eyes on this set :http://www.tomsmodelworks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=58
Railings are the easiest PE to work with. There are several videos on Youtube on installing railings and there are several books on how to work with PE. If you can get the railings designed for that kit the railing will already be cut to lenght for each area you need to install.
I prefer Gold Metal Model PE over Toms. Depending on th kit it was made for, I find Toms can be to thin for me to handle without bending it out of shape.
I glue mind in place with CA glue in several spots just to get the PE in place and then run a line of white glue along the whole railing.
Marcus McBean I prefer Gold Metal Model PE over Toms. Depending on th kit it was made for, I find Toms can be to thin for me to handle without bending it out of shape.
I am building a kit now from Trumpeter that includes PE. The sheets are 3 mil! That is the thinnest I have worked with, and it sure is fragile. The features on some parts are like five or six mil wide. Super care needed! Seems like just looking at it makes it bend and crease.
Be very careful with tweezers. With a slight twitch, tweezers can launch PE at high velocity!
If possible, anchor model or assembly you are adding PE to. That leaves one hand free to place PE part in place and another hand to keep pressing it in place while you release the "placing" hand and tool. I find parts sometimes fly back off when you release pressure on them, or want to stick to tool if you use sticky tipped tool.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.