ISM Guide on How to Use Photo-Etch & The Tools Involved 

Good walk through of basic techniques and tool. And it's still current after 9 years!

Some tips I've read on an American model car forum re p/e are ; 1; place the p/e fret inside a sandwhich bag ( zip lock ) and use a blade as usual to cut the part from the fret without it flying into another galaxy. 2; when using tweezers, use the inner tube from a bicycle tyre, cut to size and glued to the blade of the tweezer creates a cushioned grip to hold the p/e part in place. not a hell of a lot of expense and you have much superior control over the placement of the part onto your model without the dreaded 'ping' where did it go? Hope this helps someone save a little money.

Wow, you've been doing this for a really long time Paul. I hadn't used any photo etch this time last year. Great tips on here, mate. Thanks! 👍

Brilliant video, learnt more in that few minutes than any other video, i could hardly see the smallest part never mind bending it, and never ever seen the pick up tool, i normally repair models and this video has helped so much even down to what glue works best and well presented, thankyou so much, from george.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am brand new to Photo-Etched parts and knew NOTHING. This was very helpful and informative. I

As a new member to your forum and a new user of PE stuff, I appreciate this video from California!

Still brilliant 10 years later!!!

Great video, really helpful for a start like myself. Thank you!

You make some really good and in depth tutorials. Great job!

Another suggestion as an alternative to the wax pens, use a toothpick and dental wax, which can be bought at most pharmacies.

Fantastic video many thanks! I used a set of sprue cutters on some photoetch and one end snapped off and flew over the room, I still haven't found it! Quite dangerous really! Always use the right tools is the lesson from that!

Well presented and very helpful - thanks for sharing your knowledge...the wax placement sticks look to be essential

Can't wait to put my hands on them.... ! Coen did a little demo as well and I was sold there to !! Good luck with all your future endeavors !

Really good technique vid. I have never used photo etch, but realize I will no doubt do so at some stage. This is a video I will be coming back to for reference and guidance.

Excellent Tutorial!!!! I'm new to working with photo etch so this video is very helpful. Very informative. Thanks for sharing your techniques!

Great video as always. It pointed out a lot of things I will try. I have two kits that I bought photo etch for. One is for the Aston Martin DBS you are currently working on. The after market one I bought has a multiple piece disk break build up and some other items that I will add. Seems straight foreword enough However the other set I bought is for a street rod hood (bonnet) tie downs. They are very small. I see the parts well enough but even with a small needlenose pliers and tweesers and small fingers I am all thumbs! I may have to give up and I don't give up easily! I even thought about putting a big glob of glue on the hood and throwing the parts down on top. Hoping that they would fall into the correct place. Thanks for all of the great videos and tips. Keep them coming.

Great info Paul, so useful. Your a born teacher mate!

that is a bloody brilliant video. love those wax placing tools! cheers mate.

Back in the day as a baby-boomer I never needed any of those specialist tools to bend photo-etch. Went on to a successful career as a pro-modeller as well. Oh well, each to his own. Carry on. . .

OUTSTANDING COMMENTARY!

I was just about to start my first photo etched parts. Sure glad I watched this video first. Thanks again. Not sure if I can find the gear here, but I am definitely going to look.

Going to try those pencils. What I've used is something like a tootpick or perhaps something a little thicker dipped in little bit of beeswax. Beeswax is dirt cheap and a perfect lubricant for airbrush nozzles. If the pencils have less tack they might work even better - if you use beeswax use the minimum amount or the part might stick to the implement and not settle on the glue. Tacky craft glue can help that.

Ok..so. That was awesome!!! You're a great teacher Paul!

great primer for photo etch, many thanks

Thanks for that Video... Love that Pencil ! I've some on their way to me now.... can't wait to try one !

You can use a small blob of Blu-tack or putty to hold PE at end of pencil to help place it

No problem norm, those placers are awesome

Paul, I had to subscribe only to tell you that I'm blaming you for going broke buying tools mate!! LOL Love this tutorial!!

I started building the M1070 truck and the M1000 trailer in 1/35 scale. I purchased three photoetched kits to go with it. in the past I have only built 1/24 or 1/25 scale cars and trucks and was in a bit of a shock when I looked at the photietch parts. Your video will help me out. One photoetched kit has tiedowns with working ratchets and the other has brass corner reinforcements for storage bixes, etc. Talk about small pieces! Thanks.

Very informative and helpful video. Thanks for that Paul

I cut PE with a single-edged razor blade on a ceramic tile. I've done a few Bronco kits, and the PE is thoughtfully provided between two layers of adhesive film. All you need to do is remove one side and cut. The carpet monster will be denied his favourite snack every time, unless I drop the piece en route to the model.

Thank you very much for putting this video out.

Don't remember exactly Paul, I googled the parts placers and every place that was indicated was in the UK. I would expect to pay a little more to send to the states but they were really high for such a small package. Thanks, Dan

Thanks Paul! Great tips.

Thank you for the info on Photo-etch.

Excellent Tutorial!!!!

Ultimate Photo-Etch placer: Or you can stick a little sticky wax / tacky to the end of a tooth-pick (cocktail skewer) and use that. For really small parts, I've even used a little spit ^_*

Thanks for posting! Great info.

Can you please produce a video of how to solder photo-etch parts together?

Great video! 👍👌👏

I'm using this fantastic elastic it's called out pound shop get 5 mins to bond but take 1 hour to completely set way get super glue now lol but it's good in a way it's a gel but take far to long to set

No problem Mark

great videos and info. thanks.!!

Thank you very much - We love your channel too :D

Would you consider doing a tutorial on putting zimmerit on a tank? I suppose you could link it to the putty review you all ready did and you could also review the tools used to apply it. Lol I have two late WW2 tanks that need it.

Great video, thanks for sharing, where did you get then pickup sticks at?

very very helpful..thank you so much.

i used to use pennys glued in the nose area back in the 60's

No problem Stefan :)

I can tell those shears are dull. Get some shears for electronics and electronic board work. They will be a little pricey but can almost eliminate the need to file and will damage a lot less of the photo etched.

most interesting video

Thank you for making that Paul. I've always hated photo etch, I've found it very difficult to work with so I've avoided kits that have it. I'm an armour modeller and love Tamiya so it hasn't been an issue. But I'm very interested in the subjects Trumpeter and Meng do so I may have to learn how to get to grips with it. I now feel more confident, so thanks. With the glues, is ordinary super glue and PVA suitable?

Great tips

Ladders how do I fold those I have seen the bender tool but have not seen sombody fold a ladder with it

tweezers dipped in tool magic puts a layer of latex? on the tips and keeps tiny parts from launching across the room. also i found if you can get a set of smooth jawed hemostats they work just as good and are cheaper then tamyia.

Do you have to clean the photo etched parts before painting?(painting with metal primer) Or do you do that usually?

Glad its of use to you :)

do you know where you could get photo etch for a airfix 1/72 lancaster dambuster model if you can get photo etch for this model I have never used photo etch and I want to give it a shot emodels don't have it and I don't know many model sites

Awesome video mate! and i love the hangouts, i am always watching now :) keep it up mate and thanks for this

Where can you acquire/purchase the Ultimate Photo Etch Placer wax sticks ? I can't find them so far.

Cheers buddy

Hi Paul. You used PVA to fix P E to plastic. Once dry, how strong is the bond between them?

Paul, Im getting ready to start a 1/35 King Tiger myself and as you know the fenders need some curling. (I have an extensive photoetch kit for it). Without having to buy the expensive rounding tool, do you have any suggestions on making one to use at home??

thanks good video

Can anyone tell me what is good to prime the photo etch with? Thanks.

My hobby knifes work wonders use the flat topped blade

Hope it helps you :)

what the best for curved items? like exhaust and buckets?

What is the name of the clear plastic PE holding tool and where is it available?

when he said click i instantly thought of the lock picking laywer!

Спасибо

What was the name of the tool you used to cut the photo etch with the knife?

And could you do a video on soldering photoetch together? or do you not recommend that?

Annealing? If you covered it, I missed it.

I found them on your site, how do you change the Pound amount to US Dollars on your web site or can it be done?

I'm doing the flak 38 anti aircraft kit and they want me to bend a straight peice long ways to follow the curve for the gun barrels lol arrr I need this tool haha

What is the "white pencil"?

I thank you for all the tips....and curse you for the money I am about to spend lol!!!

Thanks for this! BTW, you need a better pencil sharpener

Photo etch is garbage and when I can throw it, I do. It is soft, hard to bend, hard to paint, and hard to glue. I wish manufacturers would give both options in their kits.

How do you paint photo etch parts?

Go get yourself a pair of Xuron 9180ET.

Just a professional artist’s tip... spend a extra dollar and purchase a high quality pencil sharpener.

watched first 5.5 minutes, had to leave... where you got your nails at forgot to finish them, or your polish is coming off. maybe i can watch the next one and get more ideas. cheery O my little chap