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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Photo Etch how to
mlb63
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: October 22, 2003
KitMaker: 355 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 10:29 AM UTC
This will sound like a stupid question but as my teachers used to say the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. As an older modeler who really doesn't have much experience with photo etch has anyone ever done a photo etch how to article?
Armored76
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 11:38 AM UTC
There is a good one here on Armorama, written by Paul H.: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/features/6839

Have you tried Youtube? You can usually find good tutorials there, as well.
mlb63
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: October 22, 2003
KitMaker: 355 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 12:49 PM UTC
Thank you so much. Hopefully there are more older modelers like me who will find this useful.
RussianArmor
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Georgia, United States
Joined: February 06, 2017
KitMaker: 111 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 04:18 PM UTC
I went to YouTube to figure out how to do Photo Etch. I found it useful to get a magnifying visor to wear, as those parts get tiny and my vision doesn't get better with age...
varanusk
Staff MemberManaging Editor
ARMORAMA
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: July 04, 2013
KitMaker: 1,288 posts
Armorama: 942 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 04:31 PM UTC
Unless you want to go straight to the most complex ones, working with photo etch parts is not that difficult.

Most of the ones included with kits like Bronco or Dragon can be bent according to the instructions using flat nose pliers. A PE bender can help but I do not find it indispensable for these basic ones.

Use CA for gluing them either to other PE parts or plastic.

For round parts you may anneal them on a flame, and use a drill bit of the appropriate diameter to get the shape around it.

Once you are used to them, and it should be quite fast, you can try more advanced products (like Aber, Voyager, Griffon, etc.) which may require other skills like soldering...
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - 06:06 PM UTC
Don't forget that not all PE is needed. Some of the PE is no more accurate than the plastic part provided in the kit. Eye ball which part is more accurate before just going with the PE.
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