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Subatomic parts?

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  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: N. Burbs of ChiKawgo
Subatomic parts?
Posted by GlennH on Sunday, March 19, 2023 11:23 AM

What are you folks using for picking up and maneuvering into postion for glueing? THis is for parts that even the finest tweezers will not work for. I have tried what's called mineral tack on a toothpick but it's too sticky and leaves residue. 

I saw some sticks for this purpose but they look too darn big. I saw on some forum a guy suggested a bit of beeswax. For referance I'm talking about parts around the size of this 'o'.

I really hate that I am getting to the point where 'unless I really look close, I'll never notice it's missing' but I tell you, after getting one in place I'm finding that's good for today.

A number Army Viet Nam scans from hundreds yet to be done:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestdreams/albums/72157621855914355

Have had the great fortune to be on every side of the howitzers.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Sunday, March 19, 2023 11:40 AM

   I put 35th scale PE bolt heads on the bumper of my Radschlepper. 

    I left the clear backing on one side of the fret, cut as close as I could to the bolt head. Near impossible to clean up the nub but someone may know away, then I applied a schmear of CA on the bumper, and with the pointy end of a #11 blade I touched a drop of CA the picked up the part and placed it. Worked pretty well for me.

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Sunday, March 19, 2023 11:54 AM

I have started using wax rhinestone picker pencils for maneuvering tiny pieces.  They're like a regular pencil and you sharpen them the same way.  Just the right amount of tack and they don't leave a residue.  I used to use a small paintbrush dipped in Future to pick up and place small parts, but the wax pencils are a lot better for this.  BTW...Future is great as an adhesive for small PE that is going to lay flat on the surface its being attached to.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: N. Burbs of ChiKawgo
Posted by GlennH on Monday, March 20, 2023 1:29 PM

Eaglecash867

I have started using wax rhinestone picker pencils for maneuvering tiny pieces.  They're like a regular pencil and you sharpen them the same way.  Just the right amount of tack and they don't leave a residue.  I used to use a small paintbrush dipped in Future to pick up and place small parts, but the wax pencils are a lot better for this.  BTW...Future is great as an adhesive for small PE that is going to lay flat on the surface its being attached to.

 

I'll give that a try. That tacky stuff I was using gripped a bit too well to use with regular plastic cement.

A number Army Viet Nam scans from hundreds yet to be done:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestdreams/albums/72157621855914355

Have had the great fortune to be on every side of the howitzers.

  • Member since
    December 2022
  • From: Canada
Posted by Tcoat on Monday, March 20, 2023 1:51 PM

Eaglecash867

I have started using wax rhinestone picker pencils for maneuvering tiny pieces.  They're like a regular pencil and you sharpen them the same way.  Just the right amount of tack and they don't leave a residue.  I used to use a small paintbrush dipped in Future to pick up and place small parts, but the wax pencils are a lot better for this.  BTW...Future is great as an adhesive for small PE that is going to lay flat on the surface its being attached to.

 

This ^^^^^

Slighty different tool but same principal. My wife started diamond painting a few years ago and I watched her stick this thing into a little container of wax then pick and place these tiny "diamonds" with extreme precision each time. It only took me watching for about 10 seconds for the old brain to kick in and scream "waaaait a second here".

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Monday, March 20, 2023 3:35 PM

I still use the old 'spit on a toothpick' method (well...really...just lick the end of a toothpick, and pick the item up with that). Crude, but works like a charm! Big Smile

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    January 2010
Posted by rob44 on Monday, March 20, 2023 3:54 PM

I use a wax pencil. It really works well once you get the knack of it.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in central North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Monday, March 20, 2023 7:41 PM

gregbale
I still use the old 'spit on a toothpick' method (well...really...just lick the end of a toothpick, and pick the item up with that). Crude, but works like a charm! Big Smile

 Funny Old Man Drooling

Same way here.

Using a toothpick negates that static attraction too.

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 7:52 AM

Okay Call me Stupid:

            I use a yucky  Method for this. I will take a "Q' tip and put it in my left ear.(That one produces the most earwax) Then I take a pin with a flattened point. Pick a wee bit of the earwax on the pin and pick up the part. So, you can use Bees-wax and some other natural waxes as well. One or two picks and renew and one or two picks, etc.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: N. Burbs of ChiKawgo
Posted by GlennH on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 1:12 PM

Took advantage of Amazons free delivery if I order something else within 24 hours and got a multigenerational lasting pack of those wax pencils. I'm guessing the theory is that even the smallest bit of plastic cement will quickly (hopefully very quickly) overcome the hold the wax has on the part.

A number Army Viet Nam scans from hundreds yet to be done:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestdreams/albums/72157621855914355

Have had the great fortune to be on every side of the howitzers.

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 1:16 PM

GlennH

Took advantage of Amazons free delivery if I order something else within 24 hours and got a multigenerational lasting pack of those wax pencils. I'm guessing the theory is that even the smallest bit of plastic cement will quickly (hopefully very quickly) overcome the hold the wax has on the part.

 

Yup.  So far, I haven't had any issues with the parts releasing when I want them to onto whatever adhesive is attaching them to the model.  It even allows you to put a little pressure on the part, without worrying about slipping and scratching something.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • From: Apex, NC
Posted by gomeral on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 4:53 PM
I looked at those wax pencils but before I ordered one/some/thousands, I stumbled across a "jewel picker" that is basically a double-ended stylus with one large and one small head covered with a sticky plastic. I think if you search the Bezos site for those two words, it's one of the first things that shows up.
  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8:15 AM

gregbale

I still use the old 'spit on a toothpick' method (well...really...just lick the end of a toothpick, and pick the item up with that). Crude, but works like a charm! Big Smile

 

Ditto

However, I clip the tip at about the 1/16 diameter point to get more area. Things stick better with more bond area.

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: N. Burbs of ChiKawgo
Posted by GlennH on Monday, April 3, 2023 5:31 PM

Eaglecash867

 

 
GlennH

Took advantage of Amazons free delivery if I order something else within 24 hours and got a multigenerational lasting pack of those wax pencils. I'm guessing the theory is that even the smallest bit of plastic cement will quickly (hopefully very quickly) overcome the hold the wax has on the part.

 

 

 

Yup.  So far, I haven't had any issues with the parts releasing when I want them to onto whatever adhesive is attaching them to the model.  It even allows you to put a little pressure on the part, without worrying about slipping and scratching something.

 

Finding the ones I got are finiky. One minute they will grab a part, next time no. We will see.

A number Army Viet Nam scans from hundreds yet to be done:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestdreams/albums/72157621855914355

Have had the great fortune to be on every side of the howitzers.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Forest Hill, Maryland
Posted by cwalker3 on Monday, April 10, 2023 4:46 PM

With parts that small I'll usually use the tip of my scalpel to pick up and place the parts. You don't need much pressure if it's a sharp blade so it'll release onto the cement used pretty easily. Any marks on the part are just too small to see.

Cary

 


  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:10 AM

Well!

  I think this is in order here. I use some I got at a Train show. There 12 in the package and I am only on number 3. I use them to assemble my "Metal Earth" Models. I stopped on the "Oil rig/Canker Combo" when I got a wee bit to uncomfortable handling it. Now that I know why, I went back to it. Hey! talk about Sub-Atomic parts!

     And I thought Plumbing the 1/25 Chrysler Turbine in the Johan kit was a doozy. Holy Cow! I don't remember the brand But the thngs are green with what looks a drop of Soft Amber colored material on the end that is sticky as all get out. But once you place the part a simple flick/twist to the side it releases, Without! Moving the part!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, April 14, 2023 7:57 AM

Yup, spit on a toothpick, here, too.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Friday, April 14, 2023 8:40 AM

I put the side sensor windows in my F-35A Wednesday night using the wax pencils.  Worked like a champ.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

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