Wise words from the lads here. Just to clarify and demystify this, all you are doing is working with small flat metal bits as opposed to small plastic bits. Don’t talk it up in your head and demonise it. That way you are beaten before you start. With a few simple tricks and tips it really isn’t any harder than handling small plastic parts. It will never be as easy as sticking on a wing, but then, neither is putting on tiny plastic parts.
With the Eduard cockpit etch you certainly don’t have to use it all. I tend to just use the “useful “ bits like seat belts and panel fronts that can really sharpen up a build. Things like levers can be a real headache but are OK once you get a system going. One hint I would give is not to use tweezers. The natural thing to do is grip too tightly, and all this does is put loads of energy into the tips of the tweezers, distorting the jaws and making the part fly out. After years of losing parts this way I very rarely use them for anything. The easiest way to handle these small pieces is to use a scrap of blue tack on the end of a cocktail stick. No pressure, so no energy, so no part flying away……it only takes a very small scrap of blue tack, just enough to hold the part while you place it.
Another trick worth knowing is to anchor the part you are gluing the small bit in to the bench, again I use blue tack. That way the bench acts like a third hand and only one part can move while you are adding the small bit. You can even brace one hand against the other to improve control.
I tend to use cockpit canopy white glue (a bit more tacky than normal PVA) for tasks like this. The work flow is as follows…..
- Form the etch part. This is a job where tweezers can be useful if the part is really small.
- Anchor the main component to the bench as described above.
- Pick up the etch part using the cocktail stick as described above.
- Dip the end of the part in a small puddle of glue (if a lever or suck) or put a spot of glue on the location.
- Place the part.
- Wait a few seconds for the glue to “grab”.
- Remove the stick and blue tack.
- Take a few deep breaths and start over on the next bit…..
It really is that easy. Just don’t psych yourself out and you’ll be fine. There has been a myth built up around etch for years and I just don’t understand it. All you are doing is adding a small metal part to the build. It’s nothing to be scared of……and in the end, you really don’t have to use it all, only the bits that you think will enhance the build. Kit instructions are not law, they are just guidelines……and if you are happy, we are happy…..
With the Eduard cockpit etch you certainly don’t have to use it all. I tend to just use the “useful “ bits like seat belts and panel fronts that can really sharpen up a build. Things like levers can be a real headache but are OK once you get a system going. One hint I would give is not to use tweezers. The natural thing to do is grip too tightly, and all this does is put loads of energy into the tips of the tweezers, distorting the jaws and making the part fly out. After years of losing parts this way I very rarely use them for anything. The easiest way to handle these small pieces is to use a scrap of blue tack on the end of a cocktail stick. No pressure, so no energy, so no part flying away……it only takes a very small scrap of blue tack, just enough to hold the part while you place it.
Another trick worth knowing is to anchor the part you are gluing the small bit in to the bench, again I use blue tack. That way the bench acts like a third hand and only one part can move while you are adding the small bit. You can even brace one hand against the other to improve control.
I tend to use cockpit canopy white glue (a bit more tacky than normal PVA) for tasks like this. The work flow is as follows…..
- Form the etch part. This is a job where tweezers can be useful if the part is really small.
- Anchor the main component to the bench as described above.
- Pick up the etch part using the cocktail stick as described above.
- Dip the end of the part in a small puddle of glue (if a lever or suck) or put a spot of glue on the location.
- Place the part.
- Wait a few seconds for the glue to “grab”.
- Remove the stick and blue tack.
- Take a few deep breaths and start over on the next bit…..
It really is that easy. Just don’t psych yourself out and you’ll be fine. There has been a myth built up around etch for years and I just don’t understand it. All you are doing is adding a small metal part to the build. It’s nothing to be scared of……and in the end, you really don’t have to use it all, only the bits that you think will enhance the build. Kit instructions are not law, they are just guidelines……and if you are happy, we are happy…..
Well worth reading.
