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Tips & Tricks
Ask about and post about tips and tricks you use while modelling.
Dealing with small parts, very small.
vincefromitaly
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Italy
Member Since: July 14, 2017
entire network: 15 Posts
KitMaker Network: 8 Posts
Posted: Friday, July 14, 2017 - 07:22 PM UTC
I have a few Xuron cutters and whilst I like their precise cut, I found out that still the easiest way to overcome the problem of small, brittle parts that often are connected to the sprue by means of way too large gate attachments is by using the good old razor blades.
The ones that were used back in the past where disposable little plastic razor blades were not available and you had to use them inside a metal razor that opened from the top.
I hope I have explained myself.
The advantages are:
1) you reduce to zero the stress that breaks off the small part when you try to nip it from the sprue
2) the cleaning of the residues from the part are much easier and more precise because of the thinness of the blade.
I use Gillette Silver Blue blades, I hope they are still available in your country.
Anmoga
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Spain / España
Member Since: November 18, 2004
entire network: 456 Posts
KitMaker Network: 87 Posts
Posted: Saturday, July 15, 2017 - 12:00 AM UTC
Thanks Eetu for the clarification.
Mortifa
#464
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British Columbia, Canada
Member Since: December 02, 2016
entire network: 267 Posts
KitMaker Network: 45 Posts
Posted: Monday, July 17, 2017 - 01:29 AM UTC

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What do you mean with adhesive pe?


I think he's refering to PE with that comes pre-applied adhesive on the back, like Eduard does on some of their PE sets. I've never used those yet, but they're supposed to work by simply peeling the part off the backing sheet and sticking it on.



Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about.




This is the cockpit and I still have some work todo, but the adhesive PE looks good, need to work on my placement though.



Now this is where I have another question. As you can see there is some painting done, but the one piece of PE was already pre-painted, but what do I do to attach this piece, which has no adhesive, to the painted part. From what I understand I cannot use CA as it will mess up the paint. Whiteglue? Or maybe Future? Or a Gloss coat?
Mortifa
#464
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British Columbia, Canada
Member Since: December 02, 2016
entire network: 267 Posts
KitMaker Network: 45 Posts
Posted: Monday, July 17, 2017 - 01:40 AM UTC
The instrument panel.


Be happy to hear some ideas as to how to place the adhesive better before I attach the part, thought it look good and then... Still looks good in the cockpit.

First model where I am seriously working on PE.

The Nashorn is almost done, will post pictures of it completed, great learning experience from both of these and the tips posted here have helped, thank you.
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Member Since: August 09, 2002
entire network: 1,742 Posts
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Posted: Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 07:33 AM UTC
Some plastic parts shouldn't be plastic just like some PE parts should be plastic. I have some different gauge fine wire and just make the small part and use the part on the sprue as a template. I end up less stressed in the long run. If my wire part bends wrong, so what. I just bend a second one. My template part is still OK.
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