SapperSix Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Do you have one? If so do you use it? Any advice? I am about to have a few projects that will have a considerable amount of PE. I m looking to ease the pain.....Any thoughts and input is appreciated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 I bought mine from Micro-Mark. It was made of hard PA66 (a plastic type) at the time. It works well, and I am happy with it. Nowadays, you get some in machined metal, which is better as you get sharper edges at the bending point. From Micro-Mark : https://www.micromark.com/Etch-Buddy-Photo-Etch-Bending-Fixture And the top items, quality-wise, from RP Toolz. If you peruse their site, and are a tool-geek like me, you can easily spend a few kits’ worth on their site, but you won’t regret it. http://rptoolz.unas.hu/en/spl/450289/PIRANHA-PE-tools HTH Hubert 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRob Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Bending PE is much easier and less dreading with the right tools. I got some different ones depending on what is to bend size ways, shape ways and complexity wise. For tiny parts I have a Tamiya made tweezer with a flat head, perfectly for e.g. optics in tank cupolas and other tiny stuff. Then there are flat pliers with differently shaped heads in my tool box. With a bending tool, you should first analyse your requirement size wise. If you plan to bend lets say landing flaps in 1/32 or large armor sheets you need a bigger tool. For these bigger tools you should get an equally long bending blade, smaller parts can be bend with a scalpel blade. It's always more fun to work with well designed tools made out of appropriate materials. I have this 5'' tool from the Small Shop since years and can recommend it highly. https://thesmallshop.com/collections/photo-etch-bending-tools/products/sms004-5-5-inch-hold-and-fold-the-5-speed Cheers Rob 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 I have an ancients Mission Models Etchmate 3C, I agree with Hubert the new generation are metal so can be a little more precise. I’m happy with the 3C and a tool box full of straight pliers for all of the other tiny or complex bend jobs...... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dog Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 I guess it depends on what you are doing, I bought the Etch Mate 3C years ago but never had much luck with it but I seldom do any PE work larger than cockpit size stuff and I find I have better luck nailing bend points using single edge razor blades and chisel tip X-acto blades. For airframe parts like flaps or large pieces used on armor a bending tool is probably the best way to go. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SapperSix Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Thank you gentlemen for your welcome advice. Hubert, Thank you for reminding me of RP. I have ordered there in the past and have always missed the big Piranha PE bender or decided at the last minute it wasn't worth the coin. I bought the 195MM Piranha and am looking forward to getting better at my PE. I bought it for flexibility in regards to the add length. I have a two 1/35 Strykers kits with full PE RPG cages and what not. I also have full PE sets for a 1/32 Super Stallion and CH-47. They are a ways out there but I am working my way to them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SapperSix Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 20 hours ago, DocRob said: Bending PE is much easier and less dreading with the right tools. I got some different ones depending on what is to bend size ways, shape ways and complexity wise. For tiny parts I have a Tamiya made tweezer with a flat head, perfectly for e.g. optics in tank cupolas and other tiny stuff. Then there are flat pliers with differently shaped heads in my tool box. With a bending tool, you should first analyse your requirement size wise. If you plan to bend lets say landing flaps in 1/32 or large armor sheets you need a bigger tool. For these bigger tools you should get an equally long bending blade, smaller parts can be bend with a scalpel blade. It's always more fun to work with well designed tools made out of appropriate materials. I have this 5'' tool from the Small Shop since years and can recommend it highly. https://thesmallshop.com/collections/photo-etch-bending-tools/products/sms004-5-5-inch-hold-and-fold-the-5-speed Cheers Rob I was laughing as I read this as I do this myself. I am taking your advice to heart I sure appreciate the input. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocRob Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I don't get the laughing part Sapper, but looked up the RP tool. Nice stuff, but I recommend to add an evenly long sharp blade for e.g. landing flaps. It makes sharp bendings of big parts much easier. Some time ago I added this little gem to my tools repertoire and use it a lot for tiny parts. Cheers Rob 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krow113 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 My 4' box/pan break for 1/32 B 17 flaps: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 On 3/29/2020 at 5:41 AM, Bomber_County said: I have an ancients Mission Models Etchmate 3C, I agree with Hubert the new generation are metal so can be a little more precise. I’m happy with the 3C and a tool box full of straight pliers for all of the other tiny or complex bend jobs...... Have the same. It is used on occasion. I agree with statements about the newer ones.....harv 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SapperSix Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 11 hours ago, DocRob said: I don't get the laughing part Sapper, but looked up the RP tool. Nice stuff, but I recommend to add an evenly long sharp blade for e.g. landing flaps. It makes sharp bendings of big parts much easier. Some time ago I added this little gem to my tools repertoire and use it a lot for tiny parts. No Worries Doc. I found it humorous that worlds apart we found the same solution to form handles. As you described it, I was able to visualize it succinctly. I hadn't thought too much about the blade. Looks like I will need to revisit that one. Much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SapperSix Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 2 hours ago, harv said: Have the same. It is used on occasion. I agree with statements about the newer ones.....harv It wont be long before I am swearing up a storm when I start messing up parts. I am glad to know you have also used one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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