Using Photo-etch parts

[43rdRecceReg]

Aside from fitting some PE grills to the engine deck of my first Tiger 1, I've not had any experience of using PE parts. Lately, though, I received two VoyagerModel packages (Side skirts/ Fenders) as part of another package. These prompted a bit of surfing, where I found a couple of really useful guides to PE parts usage and fitting. Do check 'em out, if you're interested.

Typical Photo-Etch sheet

http://www.scalemodelguide.com/construc ... ts-models/
http://italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Photoetch/pe.htm
If I find, eventually, I have no use for the Voyager parts, I might well put them on offer here. These look like they need watchmaker hands and eyes I have an illuminated Lupe lamp, and that assists the
peepers; but there's not much I can do about the Gherkin fingers.

[jhamm]

You pay a lot of attention!
These parts are so small - don´t inhale...

I have the same problem too,
parts which smaller than 1mmx5mm is too small for my fingers.

[silversurfer1947]

I think I must have a degree of masochistic tendencies as I keep buying photo etch sets for my tanks. I am currently battling with the one for my Panzer 38(T). Each time I start, my admiration for people who produce all those masterpieces grows exponentially. I struggle every time, yet there are people who use photo tech in 1/35 scale!!!

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
When the tip of your finger is the work table surface under the magnifying lens and you are holding your breath so as not to blow the folded brass off by accident... You are a Modeling Detailer and the Detail Devil is right there at your shoulder, chuckling. Adds so much when it is done tho'. So all puns aside, bring on the Eye Candy!
regards,
Painless

[General Jumbo01]

It's what we have children and grandchildren for When you snip off the part you want it's inbuilt DNA causes it to spring skywards away from the work bench only to bounce off a nearby hard surface and fire across the room deep into an unlit area of long shagpile. Finding it is their job!

[silversurfer1947]

It's what we have children and grandchildren for When you snip off the part you want it's inbuilt DNA causes it to spring skywards away from the work bench only to bounce off a nearby hard surface and fire across the room deep into an unlit area of long shagpile. Finding it is their job!

Unfortunately I gave no children or grandchildren so when the pieces run away, they tend to stay lost. I have tried putting down a dust sheet but the brass seems to find its way through! It does mean however, that of necessity I have learned some very basic brass scratchbuilding to produce passable replacements

[General Jumbo01]

Replacement parts are far cheaper than children so don't feel hard done by!

[43rdRecceReg]

It's what we have children and grandchildren for When you snip off the part you want it's inbuilt DNA causes it to spring skywards away from the work bench only to bounce off a nearby hard surface and fire across the room deep into an unlit area of long shagpile. Finding it is their job!

Even without going down to the micro, inhalable, tank parts level (...and what must PE fitting be like at 1:35 scale ) I still find bits pinging off into oblivion. I've forgotten how many times, before emptying the vacuum cleaner's dust receptacle, I've emptied the contents onto an old newspaper to search for the most recent loss.
I have kids and grandchildren, but they live so far away, they might as well have a lunar postcode.

[silversurfer1947]

One useful trick is to wrap an old handkerchief or stocking over the nozzle of the vacuum. If you stop at regular intervals, it does make searching through the rubbish easier. Still does not find all my missing pieces though.

[43rdRecceReg]

It's what we have children and grandchildren for When you snip off the part you want it's inbuilt DNA causes it to spring skywards away from the work bench only to bounce off a nearby hard surface and fire across the room deep into an unlit area of long shagpile. Finding it is their job!

Unfortunately I gave no children or grandchildren so when the pieces run away, they tend to stay lost. I have tried putting down a dust sheet but the brass seems to find its way through! It does mean however, that of necessity I have learned some very basic brass scratchbuilding to produce passable replacements

Ditto, Richard, apart from the Offspring. I chew quite a lot of xylitol chewing gum when modelmaking. The type I prefer comes in handy screwtop plastic containers. These end up labelled 'Tamiya 'A' parts', 'B' parts and so on. Ditto for Taigen, HL etc.
The plastic packets that Tamiya screws appear in, have a habit of spitting and disgorging their contents all over the floor.
For this reason, I cut them open with extreme care, and transfer the bits to said containers...lest I end up creaking, and cursing, along the floor with a lupe and a magnet (where appropriate )