metal photo etch

[scotty66]

Hi,
I'm a new IPMS member and born again modeller, having come back into plastic modelling after a 30 year break, I know, a totally inexcusable and shocking absence but I'm back !
What is obvious to me is the advances in technology and techniques that are unavoidable, when buying and making model kits today. All of these advances I would like to embrace fully but not necessarily all at once.
One medium I would like to ask for technical advice on is, metal photo etch. I really like this advance as it provides the modeller with a medium that can produce a more life like scale in thickness and size, not easily replicated in injection molded plastic.
I have read countless magazine articles regarding this subject but just before I embark on my first experience, I thought I would cast my net one more time.
My questions are;
Do I need to anneal metal photo etch before bending?
How do I anneal colour PE without damaging the colour?
Do I need expensive bending tools to bend PE?
What is the best CA adhesive for PE?
What is the best approach when gluing and combining; film control panel dials and PE on top, allowing time to align properly before glue sets or ruins both?
Do I need to prep PE prior to painting?

I think these are enough questions to be getting on with for now, I look forward to hearing your advice before I embark, with some trepidation on my first project using PE.

My thanks in advance,

Signing off...Scott.

[MikeC]

Hi Scott, and welcome.

I'm not a huge user of photo-etch, but I have found myself using it more and more where appropriate. For example, seat harnesses on aircraft are a perfect subject.

Anyway, to answer your questions, bearing in mind that this represents my personal views and methods, and is by no means intended to be a definitive "how-to":

"Do I need to anneal metal photo etch before bending?"
I never have.

"How do I anneal colour PE without damaging the colour?"
No idea, but for me it's never arisen - see above.

"Do I need expensive bending tools to bend PE?"
I've never used them, I use tweezers, pliers and a steel rule. Perhaps I'd get better results if I did buy such a bending tool, but I've not yet reached the point of thinking "I need a folding tool" ...

"What is the best CA adhesive for PE?"
Whichever suits you best. I find white glue (I use Formula 560 Canopy Glue) is perfectly good for applications such as seat harnesses and other non-structural items.

"What is the best approach when gluing and combining; film control panel dials and PE on top, allowing time to align properly before glue sets or ruins both?"
Glue the film onto the backing piece and allow to set. Then cover the film in white glue and place the etched piece on top. The white glue will squeeze out of the holes; wipe off the excess, then when it sets you have "glazed" dials.

"Do I need to prep PE prior to painting?"
Warm soapy water to remove any residues from the manufacturing process.

Just out of interest, what sort of models are you using this photo-etch on?

HTH,

[MikeC]

May 4, 2013 6:06:28 GMT MikeC said:

...
Just out of interest, what sort of models are you using this photo-etch on?
...

OK, just seen your other post, I do 1:48 aircraft as well.

[scotty66]

Hello Mike,
Thanks for your reply. Thanks also for alleviating any worries I had about bending and perhaps snapping PE, without annealing or using, what I found out to be, expensive bending tools, (sorry Mr. manufacturer but if I end up bending PE on an industrial scale, I might invest ). I am very glad that you have offered an alternative to CA glue when applying expensive PE to an expensive kit and ruining both in the blink of an eye. The thought of the lack of working time of CA filled me with, ( 'Instant' dread ), although I have heard of people using clear varnish as an alternative but probably takes longer to set.
Wow, your tip on setting film and PE control panels, what a revelation. I had visions of melted film and wonky control panels, you should be writing all this stuff I'm reading in the kit instructions and modelling magazines !!
I'll pick up some 'Formula 560 Canopy Glue', at IPMS Gloucester next Sunday.

Thanks again for the huge sigh of relief.

Signing off...Scott.

[scotty66]

Hello again Mike,
Sorry, yes my current skill levels are probably best suited to 1/48. I find 1/72 and below, too small and I feel the scale is very hard to replicate even with the finest of skills, where panel lines, painting and other details are concerned. On the flip side, I find 1/32 is too large, when higher skill levels are required just because of the larger scale.
I believe 1/48 hides a multitude of sins !
The kit I am going to start involving my first PE experience is the; 1/48 Italeria A10 kit with an Eduard colour PE cockpit set. I am building this for a colleague at work who has said that this is his favourite aircraft. This is to be a surprise.
I have just finished an Airfix 1/78, ( Despite and because of what I just said above ), EE Canberra PR.9 in camo, for another colleague at work and will be presenting it to him tomorrow at work, again as a surprise. Being a Carpenter, I have also made an oak base and a perspex lid to display the model. Hope he likes it ?
Can send you a pic or two if you like ?

Signing off...Scott.