Etch Mate or Hold And Fold?

I think Etch Mate is too expensive for me at the moment. But then again, it seems like a simple mechanical device that can be easily home made.

I have the etchmate. Without a complete machine shop, you would have a hard time making this tool at home. it is very percise and well made. Worth the $$ IMHO.

Hey Mike,

I bought a Hold-N-Fold and love it. My PE looks a million times better and takes no time to shape. I sat down a few weekends ago and folded and attached all of the PE for the pioneering tools on my Sherman, and I think the whole process took about 1/2 hour, and they look GOOD. Considering how small and how many of them there are, it would have taken an entire morning before and I wouldn't have nice crisp lines.

Plus, you can't beat the customer service at the Small Shop

~ Garth

I've got a homemade version myself (i had access to a fullsize Milling machine)

I have both a Hold and Fold and an Etchmate. I would say the Etchmate is better, but they keep releasing new heads on the Hold and Fold (new mark 3) so it is difficult to say. I also have the Hold and Fold Rolling set, and the Etchmate tool for making curves. At the end of the day, the choice is yours, you pay your money for what you want. They all do the same job at the end of the day.

Seen them both, used them both, six of one, half dozen of the other. I put this in the same category as which airbrush is better. You like Iwata, he likes Aztec, I use a Paasche.

I have a 4" Hold & Fold and it works well for me. There are some changes I'd make to it if I were king for a day. The EtchMate looked like a higher quality produced tool though, but I like the compact size of my little H&F. Not saying my H&F isn't high quality, the EM just looks like it was factory produced while the H&F looks like it was locally made.

Disclaimer: The above observations are just my personal opinions and not representative of any modeling website I may frequent. I state this in case the manufacturer, distributor, inventor, retailer, advertiser or immediate family member of the aforementioned entities decides to e-mail any nasty-grams to me regarding my thoughts on the above mentioned tools. Any attempt by said parties to drag me into the middle of the EM vs. H&F feud will be ignored.

Here is a good side-by-side of the two: http://smallshopeu.com/LeeLLyod_REVIEW8.htm

~ Garth

Thanks everyone.

Garth,

I have read that review before but since it is on the Small Shop's website I find it a little more difficult to believe it is unbiased.

Mike

Hi...not wishing to comment on any point other than the 'Biased' comment.

Lee's article WAS written prior to ANY meeting between The Small Shop EU and Lee (I know this for a fact)...It was originally written for a club site and fits well with Lee's interests...he is after all one of the best brass workers any ware in the world.... why would he lie and risk a personal reputation?

Lee purchased his example without the knowledge of any A vs. B study being written.(again I know this for a fact as do many others as well as leading magazine editors)...please do not confuse the review being posted on the Small Shop EU site with anything other than good business sense....I also note it was on the Armourama web site home page for nearly six months.....


Written without Lee's knowledge and in defence of his reputation

AJ

Thanks for clarifying that AJ.
I was not aware of that.

Mike

NP....thanks for listening...Lee is a 'Top Bloke'....

AJ

His comments that were negative about the Etch Mate seem very believable even though I have never used one. It does seem that the groove in the plate that the blade rests in to bend the parts would cause a slight problem as he points out. Interesting.

Mike