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Dealing with Seams

One of the biggest problems confronting the beginning modeler is eliminating seams, or joints. Unfortunately the fact of the matter is that models (because of the need to assemble them) contain joints where the pieces come together.

Many of these joints occur where small pieces are attached to each other or larger pieces. The seams that give us problems are the ones that occur where large exterior parts are joined to become the fuselage, wings, turret or hull. Recently many manufacturers have placed joints in places that disguise the seams, either along an existing panel line, in the case of aircraft, or along the edge of the hull or some other superstructure.

So what do we do when we want to build an older kit or a newer kit that isn’t so well engineered?

Lets begin by looking at some common problems that keep parts from fitting together properly.

Ejection pin marks
These are the circular marks created when pins in the mold push the sprue out. The hot plastic can be marked by the pin, this creates a recessed circle in the plastic. Sometimes, as the plastic is injected into the mold the plastic fills the opening for the pins. This creates a raised circle, or semi circle. Along the joints this is usually seen as a half circle, sometimes recessed, sometimes raised.

Miss-aligned locator pins/holes
These are the little pins that fit into little holes to align two pieces during assembly. Sometimes they won’t line up properly preventing a proper fit.

Warped parts
This is when you hold the parts together on one end and they’re a mile apart at the other.