James Bella takes a look at the Photo Etch Part Cut-Out kit by The Small Shop.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

James this looks great, where can I get one?

I have used one of these for 6 years and love it. I use photoetch on every kit I build and this tool has been used every day. Great tool!

For what it's worth, sometime ago (actually, many years ago) the Small Shop had their Hold-n-Folds offered in an "all inclusive" package deal. Mine was the 4 inch HnF, these Cut Out parts, and various diameter dowels (both wood and metal [brass and steel]) along with a wood "jig" that the dowels would fit in.....to form the PE into "rounded" shapes. Kind of nice to see some of the "accessories" offered as....accessories.

I'm a die hard HnF fan....absolutely love it and couldn't consider any other.

Mike

James F....sorry, should have added:

http://thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4

The HnF is worth every pfennig!!

Mike

Thanks for posting the link, Mike

Generally, on the review page, clicking on the logo/name at the top will bring you to the company's website, and links are sometimes added in the 'Summary' box.

That's funny Mike, I was going to mention that it's too bad this isn't offered in a package deal, at least with the folding tools. After these get real cut up, which judging by what I put it through would take quite awhile, do you guys sand them smooth or just replace them?

James B....

Replace. Not to take away from the Small Shop, but they're plexi (or the like). If you choose, you can go to pretty much any hardware shop and get plexi.....generally not black though. The black (or DARK) plexi is the key to this. Clear just doesn't do it.

Oh...looked again at their "shop." They now offer the "dowel jig" as an accessory too! Used it several times....Life's better.

Yea, I know about the logo link (use them all the time)....most times it goes to the "home" page. When some one asks about a specific "thing," if I can, I link direct. Just me.

Mike

This is a GREAT review, love the pics.

Thanks a lot!

Cheers,

Christophe

Excellent review. Can one just purchase a piece of black acryllic plastic at a Home Depot?

Bill,

HD doesn't list it on their site, but Lowe's does......over $200.00 a sheet. I don't recall seeing smaller pieces (like they do with plywood....2' x 2' or 2' x 4').

InternetPlastics.com appears to allow you to purchase a piece sized 4" x 4" x 1/8" for about $2.90. Shipping probably wouldn't be nice though. You can also get a full sheet from them (4' x 8') for $260.00. Shipping on that would probably be a killer.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. I think I'll go the Small Shop path!

I won't live long enough to use up a full sheet!!!

None of us will Bill. Thanks fella's what I meant was if other retailers carried it? Usually its cheaper that way. USUALLY!

Smart move Bill, IMO! I'm all for making my own stuff to use, but in this case especially, the low cost of the kit coupled with my estimation of it's usable lifespan, just doesn't make it worthwhile to 'MacGyver' my own.

Jim, The Small Shop's website lists dealers, and I know Great Models carries these products also...although this kit is special order only at this time from GM. Most places use the same pricing as The Small Shop, with some even a bit higher...as far as shipping, The Small Shop ships extremely fast and keeps the cost at or near actual.

Another option is one of Armorama's advertiser's; JB Model. They'll be carrying the full line come next month (September). Their prices seem comparable. I buy most of my barrels from them now because of the price and service. May be an option.

Mike

I used this kit with my PE parts on my 2nd model build, Trumpeters 1:350 scale SS John W. Brown Liberty ship, and it was an immense help to me. After researching other benders, I found this is a inexpensive, simple but useful, way of safely cutting parts and bending shapes. It cannot make some intricate bends like the the $40/$50 benders, but my lack of skills probably added to this problem. Overall - it was worth the money!