Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Detail Work, Rigging, Fittings, Figures Etc. => Topic started by: Hagar on February 03, 2009, 08:00:41 pm

Title: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Hagar on February 03, 2009, 08:00:41 pm

Looking for some feedback on the commercial PE benders on the market and other ideas as to what you use to bend your PE parts with.

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: colin-stevens on February 03, 2009, 09:09:08 pm

try a good quality hinge. works for me, damn sight cheaper
colin

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on February 04, 2009, 04:21:16 am

A flat ruler, and an xacto blade, or razor blade.  :-)

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Seaspray on February 04, 2009, 11:39:09 am

http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/catalogbody.html&CatalogBody

Go to and click.

 Complete Cataloque / Tools and glue accessories / Tools abrasives

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Hagar on February 04, 2009, 05:45:10 pm

Quote from: Seaspray on February 04, 2009, 11:39:09 am

http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/catalogbody.html&CatalogBody

Go to and click.

 Complete Cataloque / Tools and glue accessories / Tools abrasives

Do you use one of the many on that link? I can find them, but never havuíng used one, I was kind of hoping for some feed back on what you use.

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Proteus on February 05, 2009, 04:23:10 am

I use these tools most of the time but I don't bend very inticute parts , but I have not had any problems with the parts I have bent in the past the small vice has very good fitting jaws and have been ground flat a piece of tool steel 10mm x 10mm  I use this with the vice to get nice straight clean bends and the engineers clamp that can be used for very small parts again the jaws are a clean sharp fit , with these I can hold parts and get close up to line the parts up, micro mart do a nice set of bending rolls about 3" Wide I am thinking of making one as they will also do rod.

Proteus

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Seaspray on February 05, 2009, 08:58:15 am

Sorry mate never used one of these tend to make my own tools up, if possable . Or ask on the forum about what jigs or tools others have made. 10 times out of 10 their ideas are good.  :-))  :-))

It might be best to try the good hinge method or one of the other ideas to see if your going to get the results in bending that you expect. I tend to practise a few times on scrape before letting go on the part to bend. My bending metal goes back to using a 4 ft wide manual bender for industrial proposes. Like everything else there is a knack in doing it so have a few goes

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: Tankerman on February 05, 2009, 04:45:28 pm

  Ian, I use each of the tools shown here: http://finneyandsmith.co.uk/finneyandsmith/hold_and_fold.htm
  But as I also build top of the range locomotive and rolling stock etched brass and nickel-silver kits in "0" Gauge the high cost is justified. I wouldn't be without these tools after having used them regularly for some five years and for complex multi-fold components they are worth every penny.

  Chris

Title: Re: bending Photo etch what do you use?
Post by: number-1 on February 05, 2009, 06:44:46 pm

I agree with Tankerman, for folding small brass pieces these hold and fold tools are invaluble. I use the "Bug" shown in the link posted by Tankerman to fold the brass frets used on plastic kits.  :-))