Scribers...A newbie gives advice to other newbies

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 15, 2005 11:09 AM

I had no dymo tape. so I got what I think is called flashing tape... its a metal tape; thicker than most; I belive used on heating vents and the such... anyway; this particular roll is about half inch thick; and I can use it 1-3 times depending on its length(it is metal; so it wont hold a straight line if its removed at an angle; it will stretch and curve a tiny bit)

but overall; I believe its cheaper than dyno tape; and has worked quite well for me anyway. I have the squadron scriber; and before that a fine tip sewing needle. the sewing needle wasnt that bad besides killing my fingers. but damn scribing is a PITA. 3 days in and I have the engines, and almost both wings. still got the elevators and fuselage to go. yowsers!

Reply
Edit

ckfredrickson

Member since
April 2003
From: Halfway back to where I started

Posted by ckfredrickson on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 12:28 PM

In response to Lemon's question about guides: I've found that the Dymo tape get chewed up too quickly for my taste, so I only use it for curved surfaces and tight areas where nothing else will work. I realize some people swear by it, but it just ain't for me.

I prefer using a 6" long, ~1/2" wide steel ruler I picked up at Lowes, and occasionally use an erasing shield I picked up at a college bookstore. I hold it in place while scribing in the same way people use rulers to draw straight lines.

Reply

overkillphil

Member since
October 2004
From: Northern Indiana

Posted by overkillphil on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 12:10 PM

I stopped buying tools from Testors when I realized that you couldn't replace the blade on their 'hobby knife'. What a scam. Still buy the paints though.

my favorite headache/current project: 1/48 Panda F-35

"I love the fact that dumb people don't know who they are. I hope I'm not one of them" -Scott Adams

Reply

LemonJello

Member since
February 2004
From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa

Posted by LemonJello on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 8:09 AM

I tried to re-scribe the panels on my A-10, but gave up just before the kit got an impromtu test flight into the wall. How do you keep from from "jumping off track" when you scribe? I've heard of using the plastic label tape as a guide, is that the best way?

I've got the Bare Metal scriber, by the way. I like the effect, but I guess it's the operator that needs to be calibrated better.

A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.

Reply

mikeiw

Member since
May 2004
From: Chester, UK

Posted by mikeiw on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 7:08 AM

I've got the Bare Metal scriber, and the Hasegawa Trytool Fine Scriber.

I liked the Bare Metal one, although I found it usually takes about 2-3 passes to get a decent line, and even then you can end up with a rather V-shaped groove, rather than a panel line.

I've tried the Hasegawa version on a piece of scrap styrene, and I'm entralled by it. It will make my scribing day a much better place. Just one pass of the tool over plastic creates a fine, sharp line that requires no remedial work to improve upon. I've got a stash of 4-5 kits that need re-scribing, so I'm most relieved to be able to attack the job with some confidence now Smile [:)]

Britmodeler.com

Reply

Borg R3-MC0

Member since
September 2004
From: Utereg

Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 1:55 AM

thanks for the info on scribers.

Reply

cj95

Member since
August 2004
From: Mission, Texas

Scribers...A newbie gives advice to other newbies

Posted by cj95 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 5:10 PM

Now let me state right off the bat I am a modelling neophyte and everything I say here may be anathema to the gurus of sprue.....

Howver I recently found myself givena choice between a Squadron Scriber and a Testors Modelmaster Scriber for doing the panel lines on my new Mig-25

I decided to order both.

Well I started off with the testors scriber since it arrived first and was semi-pleased with the results.
"This must be as good as it gets" Ireasoned to myself as I worked away.
Keep in mind I'd never scribed a panel line in my life before.

Then my Squadron scriber arrived and I gave it a try.

WHOA NELLY!

Can you say 1000% inporvement. The squadron scriber is so much more intuitive and lest prone to 'slip' off track. Not to mention it created a satisfyingly deep and straight track that I a m sure will look nice when I apply the wash.

Since then I've gone back and re-scribed the lines I made previosusly and I must say the squadron scriber has improved the overall look of the work I already did greatly.

Just a little 'shout out' in case there are any other newbies out there wondering which tool to buy as I was.