This will show my age - photo etched parts

[andrewdick68]

So I've just started collecting kits to build when I have time [May not be for a few years]
Family got me a big wish list of tools from Amazon, so apart from the glue, the paint and actually having time in my life, I've got the basics again to re-engage with a hobby I love.

I haven't built a model in or been in a model shop in over 35 years, so it's been a while.
One new thing I'm seeing a lot of are these photo etched parts.

Can someone take pity on me and give me the short version of what they do, why I need them, and how they help me?
Are they replacement parts, additional adornments, painting stencils, or a combination of all 3?

Thanks in advance

 

[urumomo]

In short , photo-etch allows for tiny parts that are more " in-scale " over what is possible with injection molding .
Wire mesh , antennas , components with thin bulkheads and on and on .
Some kits offer them as replacements for the styrene part and some offer them as the only option .

I can handle only a little at a time

Really shows it's superiority in smaller scales :

 

[Jim62]

So I've just started collecting kits to build when I have time [May not be for a few years]
Family got me a big wish list of tools from Amazon, so apart from the glue, the paint and actually having time in my life, I've got the basics again to re-engage with a hobby I love.

I haven't built a model in or been in a model shop in over 35 years, so it's been a while.
One new thing I'm seeing a lot of are these photo etched parts.

Can someone take pity on me and give me the short version of what they do, why I need them, and how they help me?
Are they replacement parts, additional adornments, painting stencils, or a combination of all 3?

Thanks in advance

I personally don't spend money on after market parts but if you want to try PE, find a kit with some included before spending money on something extra that you may not enjoy. I see a lot of complaining on forums about working with PE but I'll eventually find out for myself. Trumpeter has many kits with PE, and I have one in the stash but haven't gotten to it yet. Good luck getting up and running with the hobby.

 

[andrewdick68]

In short , photo-etch allows for tiny parts that are more " in-scale " over what is possible with injection molding .
Wire mesh , antennas , components with thin bulkheads and on and on .
Some kits offer them as replacements for the styrene part and some offer them as the only option .

I can handle only a little at a time

Really shows it's superiority in smaller scales :

Thanks, appreciate that info.

 

[andrewdick68]

I personally don't spend money on after market parts but if you want to try PE, find a kit with some included before spending money on something extra that you may not enjoy. I see a lot of complaining on forums about working with PE but I'll eventually find out for myself. Trumpeter has many kits with PE, and I have one in the stash but haven't gotten to it yet. Good luck getting up and running with the hobby.

Thanks for that.

 

[Wolf Star]

Dealing with photo-etch can be an artform all it's own. Especially with teeny tiny parts. Patience and magnifying glasses much of the time. And good CA. I've launched my fair share of PE into the netherworld regions of my house.

 

[Thereal9thdoctor]

I have a love/hate relationship with PE. The first kit I ever dealt with it on, a 1/43 Shelby Cobra(one of the very few cars I care about) turned out fantastic, even despite not really knowing what the heck I was doing with PE. And I've used PE at various times that were fun and not hard to deal with. But then I've had nightmares, like 1/100 scale generic handrails that I used on a never finished and now lost Robotech factory that despite every effort I simply could not get corners bent on without screwing up the entire handrail, were almost impossible to glue down without near disaster, and when I'd spray primer on them would look like Spider-Man sprayed webbing on them instead of looking like they had primer on em.

My take: PE is a diceroll.

 

[KINGSLUG]

The older you are..the smaller the parts are..the larger the magnifier is needed. And whats cool about phot etch is when you are done with the parts..you have all this left over thin brass you can use for other stuff.

 

[andrewdick68]

The older you are..the smaller the parts are..the larger the magnifier is needed. And whats cool about phot etch is when you are done with the parts..you have all this left over thin brass you can use for other stuff.

Given my eyesight these days I hope I can get magnifying glasses with Hubble Telescope magnification settings

 

[KINGSLUG]

I got these..a bit heavy but work
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H8808H6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[andrewdick68]

I got these..a bit heavy but work
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H8808H6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cool, thanks

 

[TheMissingLink02]

Dealing with photo-etch can be an artform all it's own. Especially with teeny tiny parts. Patience and magnifying glasses much of the time. And good CA. I've launched my fair share of PE into the netherworld regions of my house.

Tweezers act like mega rocket launchers for APC lift points for sure.

 

[blakeh1]

Photo-etch also work nice for cockpits if you are going to light the panels

I generally skip most sets, but it cases like the vent grilles for the Millennium Falcon where it really shines

IMG_7114

 

[ssgteverett]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0814CNLHK Head Mount Magnifier with Light, USB Charging Magnifying Glasses
I added these 'bad-boys', after getting tired of the weight issue, of 'clip-on magnifiers' and eyeglass wear...
After afew hours of usage time, now. I'm liking these more and more [plus, adjusting to their usage]- Don't use the LED lighting - They'll even go upto 3.5X magnification, if one needs it.
I have discovered [especially getting older] one needs good lighting, and good 'seeing'; especially, when it comes to tackling some of these more 'finer-details', within this pursuit called model building. Plus, don't forget having decent performing and functioning handtools makes for an easier AND more enjoyable experience.
Hope this helps, some -

 

[Jbhur54]

So I've just started collecting kits to build when I have time [May not be for a few years]
Family got me a big wish list of tools from Amazon, so apart from the glue, the paint and actually having time in my life, I've got the basics again to re-engage with a hobby I love.

I haven't built a model in or been in a model shop in over 35 years, so it's been a while.
One new thing I'm seeing a lot of are these photo etched parts.

Can someone take pity on me and give me the short version of what they do, why I need them, and how they help me?
Are they replacement parts, additional adornments, painting stencils, or a combination of all 3?

Thanks in advance

I've only been modeling a couple of years... I started with strictly building O.O.B... I purchased a couple of kits from a local guy whom had purchased both aftermarket resin and P.E. details... the difference is HUGE... I believe these aftermarket parts give the kit a much more realistic look... It can be quite tedious work installing the parts, but the outcome is usually stunning...You will just need patience... some of the parts replace out of scale parts, and some parts are for enhancement... Happy modeling, Mike