Best way to cut photo etched parts

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Best way to cut photo etched parts

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 9:14 PM

Hi there, i just started using photo etched parts on some of my models. What is the best tool for cutting the etched part loose? I'm using a xuron cutter now, but I still have some flash, for lack of a better term ,left after the cut. So I'm left trying to file sand or whatever the part flush......Any suggestions? thanks, Sven

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 9:24 PM

Every method that I know of will leave a little "flash" behind. I use my exacto knife to trim the parts and always have a little filing to touch them up.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 9:44 PM

I use a special side cutter I bought from Micro Mark. It has a very thin jaw and cuts pretty close. After I remove the part I can then use the cutter to get up real close leaving no or very little "flash". I hold the part with small cushioned needle nose pliers to keep from loosing the part.

Berny

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 1:28 AM

I cut mine with an x-acto blad on a self healing cutting board. Lay some tape over the part, turn it over and cut from the other side of the tape. The piece sticks to the tape when cut and doesn't go flipping off into the nether regions. Clean up any excess flash with some emery cloth, jewlers file or very fine wet/dry sandpaper.

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 5, 2003 11:53 AM

I use an xacto blade on a piece of glass the glass does not give & the blade is a #17 I believe

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Martsmodels

Member since
May 2003
From: Shrewsbury, UK

Posted by Martsmodels on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 6:59 PM

That's a great tip about the tape Renarts - why didn't I think of that??? I don't believe you can cut it off without a small bit of 'flash' but to add to the above I stick PE parts for painting (badges etc) onto a piece of masking tape (wrong way up) to stop them moving about. That's why I just can't believe I didn't think of using the tape for cutting. Thanks!

Martin http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 9:13 PM

My pleasure Crasher. Works great for cutting small parts off of sprue too. Even if you use a set of clippers. If you drop the piece it makes it easy to find, just look for the tape, or it will prevent the piece from dropping when you clip it from the sprue. I use both a set of clippers and an x-acto for cutting small parts away.

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"