Photo Etch and Small Parts

[oldman23]

Hi Everyone,

Some of you already use this Tip but for those who Don't......Read on

Get some round toothpicks and a small jar of rubber cement, and also something to stand the toothpicks in (I use Play-doe because it's non toxic and contains no oils.) Model clay is OK too.

Dip the point and taper of the toothpick into the rubber cement and roll it between your fingers until you have a nice teardrop formed on the end. Stand it upright in something and let it dry a few hours.

Then all you have to do is touch it to the small part and it will stay their until you glue it in place or paint it.

I make up about a dozen at a time and use them for all kinds of stuff. The rubber cement stays tacky even when dry.

Give it a try it will save you allot of frustration

[Foxer]

Then all you have to do is touch it to the small part and it will stay their until you glue it in place or paint it.

The rubber cement stays tacky even when dry.

oh! I never realized it would stick after time.. very cool

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

As silly as this might sound... Silly Putty works well for me. It has a "just right" release that has given me great results for years.

[FujimiLover]

Okay, but what's the best way of glueing on such tiny photo-etched parts? Particularly those nice emblems and logo's that you sometimes get?

[oldman23]

Okay, but what's the best way of glueing on such tiny photo-etched parts? Particularly those nice emblems and logo's that you sometimes get?

Just brush on a light coat of watered down white glue and attach them in place. or you can brush on a little future floor wax wait a couple minutes for it to tack up and apply your part. Have fun

reason for edit: How Embarrassing....poor spelling

Edited April 16, 2009 by oldman23

[Olle F]

That's a great tip right there! I came up with a similar tool many years ago using Micro Scales "Liquitape", and it sure saves a lot of cussing and aggravation. It works great for PE-parts, headlight lenses and other tiny parts you just can't hold with tweezers.