PE Folding tool "Mr Fold it"

Funnily enough I don't use it :)

AJ

it's armory by gauntlett. just looking at the design itself i'd rather shell out 20 more for the bigger and slightly more versatile etch-mate. There was a review online saying that the PVC plastic used to contruct the tool is pretty good with the small parts and light uses, and the tool itself is good for travelling modellers. I bend PE fender parts for my armor kits so that small size just can't cut it for me.

OK I resisted :)

Here is the link to reviews of all the tools out there...even the old etch mate and the other newer tools on the market. I think you will find that things have moved on quite a lot from this and the EM now

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/misc/tools.htm


AJ

(I say NOTHING myself and will let Terry at PMMS do the talking)

AJ I just shelled out a reasonable sum for an Etch Mate tool and one thing I learned many years ago is never read reviews on something you have just bought. So whatever it says, I'll be happy with my EM

Cheers

Cool for you :)
I am sure you will be very happy with your purchase NP at all. However, it IS one of the oldest unchanged designs on the market theses days.

The review link was for "waikong" who was asking questions on a folding tool specifically and trying to find an honest and independent review of its worth.
The review of that particular tool directly offers the questioner the answer he requested and is on the PMMS site page. I thought that would be fine, as it would give a very good over view of the whole market from the pen of an independent reviewer of great repute. I am sure you agree with this.


Now I admit to a little humor in my first post (which could only be spotted if you know about the market in some detail), but to refer to a full market review is fair so please don't be too hard on me for a little light hearted. :)
If you note nobody answered either his first post until I did and then nothing for some time more.
Then your post recommending a product which the questioner has just rejected on price. Why recommend only one if you know of others? As you say, you spent good (A)$$ on it, OK ,but give the guy the full options and allow him, like you to make an informed choice.

However, I detect a slight inference that the world "old" has maybe offended you, if not no need to read on :)

I think you will find that there have been a good few other tools launched since the one you have just purchased first came to market. The Mr Fold-It being a good example of an "entry level" device, which has been designed and launched well after your “new” purchase, was.
Other tools in the market have either developed, or appeared in totally revamped forms since then as well. This is indicated by flashing logo's saying #NEW# on the very same site.
So, and I am purposely being very careful here now, the term "OLD" is in that context, is the correct use of English, To help illustrate, please think on the world of car design or electronics, the word "old" comes very quickly.

This term IS justified or is it just that I said it? If the latter, please read below, if not, no need to waste time reading on :)

The design and capability of the new MicroiPod for example, out strips the first style (the old iPod) by quite some margin. There are new folding tools out there using new materials, Mr Fold-It being one. One in the UK using steel and a geared folding base unit for Garden Railway builders, a fantastic concept but very large and costly, others whose designs, finesse and capabilities have increased dramatically. Large or small, Steel, Ally or plastic, In all sorts of colours, tools from Italy, UK, Norway Germany, a number in the US and Japan. As said things have moved on a lot. But heck there is a lot of choice now.
The market has developed with various types of tool offering various capability/price combinations as I said above. It is far from being a choice of two these days.

It is this growth that has given the model maker the options he/she has today; It has driven the makers and designers of such tools to produce better/lower price/design options. It is a market where competition has worked. It has moved on, actually it has been "driven” by customer demand and could be a perfect example of market development to use up at Harvard with their sun wheels and cash cows :) (Now there is a year I would like to forget :))

I'm sorry that you seem offended and if I have that wrong please accept by apologies, the term "old" in relation to an unchanged design is correct however, It does not comment on any capability however, as you said your happy so no problem there then. :)

AJ

Thanks for the link & responses, much appreciated.

I have just purchased an Etch Mate and have only barely begun to use it, so I don't really consider myself qualified to compare it to the other products on the market. I did read the Perth Military review as well as several others and decided that the Etch Mate was the best match for my needs and budget.

I will point out that, with PE sets running US $15-40 each, the purchase price if the bending tool is really a small fraction of your outlay if you decide to go down this path. I'm not saying that you should only consider the most expensive option, but buying something for the sole reason that you save $50 up front only to end up disliking it is a false economy.

Good luck with whatever you select, and remember to budget for a good light and strong visual magnifiers :-)

Very good advice on the light and vision. Easy to replace etch but not your eyes. If you need proof, why do ship modelers all wear glasses ??? :) (its a joke guys)

If I may also offer. a good wide working area clear of all paints bottles, boxes and debris. Its amazing how those little bits can hide ! I use an upturned kit box to work within.

The sides, I fold one down for my wrists, are really very good goal keepers :)

And a brand new pair of tweezers that you keep for etch work only.
Dirty tweezers= flying parts which are then the carpet monsters primary food and eagarly awaited by him :(
The more you give him, he just seems to always need more !!


AJ

I bought a mister fold from my LHS its the only 1 they carry and i cant stand to wait form mail order. I havent tried it as yet still working on my shop.

Will be very interested in your experience. I just started to doing armor PE, and used xacto knife & a steel ruler to fold PE for 1/48 scale, works, but not the easiest thing - my magnifier/light really came in handy.