Decal Tray - A Very Handy New Tool

[Chillyb1]

I recently received this handy little thing in the mail. I like building models that feature lots of decals but I've always been peeved by the inadequacy of whatever conveyances I've tried to use to wet the decals, as well as holding the decals while sliding them off the backing and into place on the model. I ran across this decal tray quite by accident and bought it from an eBay vendor (Phil's Hobby Shop) for a grand total of about $7, shipping included. It looks like just the right answer to my decal-related problems.

I realize that the inveterate cheapskates and the I've-done-it-this-way-all-my-life-and-I-ain't-a-changin'-now types among us modelers will have no interest in this sort of modeler's aid; however, some of you may want to give it a shot.

These are photos I snagged from cyberspace, and they'll give you a fairly clear idea of what I'm talking about:

[Dr. Cranky]

Wow, that looks interesting!

[Lownslow]

my friend uses that exclusively ive thought of ordering one

[Ben]

Looks like it would be a lot easier than trying to fish a tiny decal out of a small bowl or cup!

[GOTH KUSTOMS]

Whats the comb for? I never used a comb for decals....

[simonr]

That "comb" is for small decals...I bought this around 6 months ago and its great...I used it on my 1/43 project and was real handy for that.

Simón P. Rivera Torres

Whats the comb for? I never used a comb for decals....

[Danno]

Kewl!!!!

[Tonioseven]

I like this.

[Casey]

That's a great tool. The only problem for me is I almost never complete a model far enough to get to the decal application stage.

Thanks for posting this as I'm sure it will help a bunch of people.

[jbwelda]

appears to be made by trumpeter, part number TSM9918.

[Chuck Most]

I never dip my decals in a bowl- I've lost a few too many in an attempt to fish them out. I usually set them on a wet cloth rag to release them from the backing. Not sure if I will buy one of these, but it does look like a very useful solution to a common problem.

[crazyjim]

How does it work?

[Ben]

How does it work?

It appears to work just like a litter box, believe it or not. The slotted tray rests in the solid tray, you fill them with water to where the water covers the slotted tray, place your decal into the slotted tray and after a minute or so, lift the slotted tray out of the solid tray which wil drain away the water. I am assuming that the little "comb" is for lifting decals out of the slotted tray?

[Exotics_Builder]

It appears to work just like a litter box, believe it or not. The slotted tray rests in the solid tray, you fill them with water to where the water covers the slotted tray, place your decal into the slotted tray and after a minute or so, lift the slotted tray out of the solid tray which wil drain away the water. I am assuming that the little "comb" is for lifting decals out of the slotted tray?

You are correct. It works pretty good. I got one a few months ago at a Hobby Town USA. I use a Tamiya foam brush to move the decal of the comb onto the model.

Edited October 11, 2011 by Exotics_Builder

[mr cheap]

neet i like it //// the price is right

[slantasaurus]

appears to be made by trumpeter, part number TSM9918.

Trumpeter ??? No wonder it looks so slabsided.....I also question the number of slots and location of the holes.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[The Creative Explorer]

I have one for a few year now, but I barely use it. I don't think it does so much more than I can do with my own fingers.

[Lunajammer]

I'm afraid I'd cut it up into custom parts.

[jbwelda]

one should never *soak* decals in water. thats what i used to do and got poor results...usually it was exposed to the water too long and the adhesive kind of disappeared. sometimes so badly the decal just wouldnt even stick unless i overcoated it and that was risky.

i learned then (probably in one mag or another) to instead just dip them in the water and then lay them on a paper towel. sort of like the poster above says except you give them a jolt of water to assure they get evenly wet. anyway, 30 seconds or so of being on the damp paper towel and they are generally ready to slide right off with all adhesive intact. seems to work better than the alternative with old crumbly decals too though obviously those are still a major problem even with this method but at least all the little fractured parts arent floating around in your water!

i ordered one of these trays just for GP but bearing in mind what i said above their real use might be limited...but one can still toss the decal into the slotted piece and the slots will make it easier to retrieve.

[Agent G]

I'm afraid I'd cut it up into custom parts.

I'm seeing camper shell, grills, custom interior bucket...................................

It should work for decals too.

G