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Tool Review
Video Review included
135
The Corr-U-Gator©
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by: Todd Michalak [ TRM5150 ]

Introduction

Masterpiece Models, based in Vancouver, WA USA, are manufacturers of cast resin assembly kits and diorama accessories for the modelling community. Along with the ever growing list of creations being manufactured and sold, Masterpiece Models produces a large selection of Custom Dioramics’ line which they have acquired the rights to. All kits, tools and accessories are manufactured on site at their Vancouver Location.

The Corr-U-Gator©
Masterpiece Models not only fabricates a large selection of kits and accessories, they also produce tools for the model maker. One such tool is the Corr-U-Gator©. The Corr-U-Gator© is a multi-piece, cast resin tool used for the personal fabrication of corrugated metal panels used in many wall and roof constructions for modeler’s dioramas or vignettes.

Contents

The Corr-U-Gator©, Model No. MMTL002, is sold as a set consisting of the following:
• 1 – Sheet Template (Resin)
• 1 – Lower Sheet Press (Resin)
• 1 – Upper Sheet Press (Resin)
• 1 – 6 in. x 6 in. Lead Foil

The set is sold in a sturdy flip top cardboard box and while the Corr-U-Gator© is fairly resilient from being cast from resin, the tool is packed within bubble wrap to keep the tool protected during shipping.

Corrugated Aluminium and Sheet Metal

Dating back to about the early part of the 19th Century, corrugated panels have been used to keep the elements out of homes and places of work through use as roofing and wall panels. Originally the corrugated galvanized iron, or CGI, was created by passing galvanized iron through a manually operated roller press forming the corrugations. Toward the end of the century the industry shifted to using steel and later a whole host of different materials to create these widely used panels.

Widely used during WWI and WWII for the construction of many military installations, none more notable than the Nissan Hut and slightly improved upon later Quonset Hut, corrugated steel and aluminium panels were lightweight, easy to construct and a cost efficient way to protect troops, supplies and munitions from the elements.

The Corr-U-Gator© is designed to replicate, in similar fashion, the corrugated panels commonly used throughout the world in 1/35th scaling. The process consists of using the provided panel template to accurately and consistently cut out rectangular sections of the kit supplied lead foil.

The lead foil is then placed on smaller flat corrugated base press. The panel template allows for the piece of foil to fit perfectly with in the lower jig. The upper press is then used by pressing firmly down onto the foil in the lower section of the jig. The much larger upper casting and is cast as a mirror image of the bottom jig with the exception of the face being curved in nature. The curvature aids in the molding of the panels with a simple rocking back and forth motion of the upper section on top of the lower.

The process is extremely simple and highly effective and ultimately consistent means for replicating lap-seam metal corrugated panels. The lead foils provided is certainly a user friendly product to work with as it cuts easy and it is very malleable; however, there are other metals that will work in the Corr-U-Gator© that give similar end results. By using aluminium foil the finished product is a bit lighter and slightly more resistant to creasing and denting…if the intent is for a clean panel look. Like the led foil, aluminium foil can be easily bent into various shapes depending on the look you are going for including dented and creased panels as well as curved. To add a bit more realism to the panels, small holes can be drilled to simulate fastening patterns or the installation of rivets, or hex or round fattener heads can be added.

Conclusion

I feel the Corr-U-Gator© is one of the best new tools I have come across in a while. This highly effect tool used for the creation of 1/35th scale metal lap-seam panels for any diorama or vignette. The tool itself is cast durably from solid resin and the simplistic design allows for easy use by all. While the lead foil provided is an excellent product to use and replacements can be obtained through Masterpiece Models, a commercial grade aluminium foil seems to be ideal as well and even the use of kitchen grade foil wrap or even thin gauge brass shim stock could do the job just as nice.

So in the end, for me, my decision to recommend the Corr-U-Gator© comes down to the “almighty 3”…Quality, Value and Service. Masterpiece Models has definitely met all three of my criteria with the Corr-U-Gator©; the cast product should more or less last forever due to the solid, well-cast design, the product is decently priced at $24.99 US and shipping and the condition of the delivered product rounds it all off with an excellent from me. I Highly Recommend the Corr-U-Gator© to anyone looking to create corrugated metal panels for their project!!

Highly Recommended!!

SUMMARY
Highs: Tool for the fabrication of 1/35 Scale Lap Seam Metal Panels – Extremely easy to use.
Lows: None at this time
Verdict: A fine addition to anyone’s diorama tool box. Well-made useful tool at a decent price and very easy to use!
Percentage Rating
100%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: MMTL002
  Suggested Retail: 24.99 US
  PUBLISHED: Dec 31, 2014
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 95.52%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.67%

Our Thanks to Masterpiece Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Todd Michalak (TRM5150)
FROM: MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES

I am building what I like, when I like and how I like it; having fun doing it. I have been building and finishing models on and off my whole life but the past ten years things really exploded. Just about anything goes when it comes to hitting the bench, but wrecked armor, rusted hulks, ships or ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Todd Michalak [ TRM5150 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Todd ,, Many thanks for reviewing that and thanks Darren for your wonderful work as normal This is utterly brilliant ..no more trying to build a die to make corrugated iron sheet ..i will be getting one of these for damn sure ..now the next question ..when and where can i get one ? Phill
DEC 30, 2014 - 02:02 PM
There is a link to the company website at the top of the review.
DEC 30, 2014 - 02:30 PM
A bit expensive for what it is really. I use a paint tube squeezer which cost me about £2 from the Works (UK) and tin foil trays like you'd get a Chinese takeaway in which cost pence. Does corrugated iron brilliantly for 1/35th.
DEC 30, 2014 - 09:07 PM
Have to agree with Karl.I've found packing material and dollar store place mats that work fine.$25 would be a waste of money to me. Tom
DEC 30, 2014 - 11:52 PM
The price is not really that bad comparable other commercially sold tools on the market. Especially for a quality tool that is ready to go out of the box and will virtually last for ever if taken care of. Sure one can Jerry-Rig something up that would work just as well, and more power to them, but there are folks can't build or are not interested in wasting the time going through the process to which this is perfect for. Happy New Year!!
DEC 31, 2014 - 02:44 AM
I added the video that Todd did for his site as well. Upper right. Nice job Todd.
DEC 31, 2014 - 06:52 AM
Yeah $25 US might seem a bit over priced but here in NZ some things dont exist here ..like the paint tube roller and here the tin foil type trays which we get from the $2 dollar shops are way to thick ,,i did some scale math a while back on those trays .. using a tray to make 35th scale coro iron would make the iron nearly 30mm thick in 1/1 scale I will be getting one of these . Phill
DEC 31, 2014 - 08:13 AM
Thanks for adding the video Jim! Happy New Year!! I agree with you on the scaling Phil. The closest usable material that falls into the scale ballpark would be aluminum foil wrap I suppose. Any thinner and it would render itself unusable! I will have to remember the foil trays for armor decking on some ship builds!
DEC 31, 2014 - 03:24 PM
   
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