etched brass folding tools - what do you use?

[Philip H]

With all the etched brass stuff I'm acquiring these days, I'm looking into some sort of folding tool.  I've seen all sorts of sizes and patterns on the internet - all made of metals of various kinds, and all with 45 degree faces.

So, what do you "heavy metal" guys use?  Anyone build one from off the shelf parts?

[DKS]

I use a combination of things. I have a "Bug" on hand for precision work, but mostly what I use is a small pair of smooth, duckbill pliers. For bigger stuff I have a wide-jaw bending tool used for sheetmetal work.

[Scottl]

As a sidebar, the pictures at the Small Shop show the person handling with gloves.  Does anyone here take similar precautions?  I would think the issue is fouling the metal with finger prints if you are not going to finish it with paint, or is there something else?

[Philip H]

I use a combination of things. I have a "Bug" on hand for precision work, but mostly what I use is a small pair of smooth, duckbill pliers. For bigger stuff I have a wide-jaw bending tool used for sheetmetal work.

I was looking at that - I have Randgut's CF7 on my to do list which has a lot of small etched parts to do, along with a couple of other kits.  Are the 45 degree angles really necessary?  Could you get acceptable results with two solid aluminum blocks screwed together?

[DKS]

I was looking at that - I have Randgut's CF7 on my to do list which has a lot of small etched parts to do, along with a couple of other kits.  Are the 45 degree angles really necessary?  Could you get acceptable results with two solid aluminum blocks screwed together?

Not sure what you mean by the "45 degree angles": if you mean the tips of the prongs, yes; in order to get an accurate 90 degree bend, you actually need to over-bend the metal a little to compensate for some spring-back. There are also times when an acute angle (>90) is required.

[Ian MacMillan]

I use a pair of smooth jaw .5" wide duckbill pliers and also a Klein Straight Hand Seamer with the edges machined to meet perfectly for large bends (I got the idea from Bob aka TrainCat)

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100647907&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-product-1-_-100647820-_-100647907-_-N#.UIb_Q4arHPQ

[DKS]

...a Klein Straight Hand Seamer with the edges machined to meet perfectly for large bends (I got the idea from Bob aka TrainCat)

I've got one of those, but I find a smooth-jaw vice and a block of brass to be a lot easier to manage.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I like my Easy Bend:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/tools/aed/easybend.html

[mrnhn]

daniel how much did the easy bend cost on the web site it in italian thanks wendell

[prbharris]

The ArmourExtraD Easy bend is 59,50 € Click the Union Flag in the top right for an English translation. I do not know what the shipping to the US will be, but it is likely to be a little on the high side as the Easybend is not light.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com

[pnolan48]

I use a pair of smooth jaw .5" wide duckbill pliers and also a Klein Straight Hand Seamer with the edges machined to meet perfectly for large bends (I got the idea from Bob aka TrainCat)

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100647907&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-product-1-_-100647820-_-100647907-_-N#.UIb_Q4arHPQ

Hey, Ian,

How are the edges machined? Was this a DIY job?

[Philip H]

Pete,
That's a straight up Home Depot jobbie - so says the link in his original post.

[basementcalling]

Bumping back up with the same question for Ian.

Looking to fold up some Alkem Scale Models Industrial Towers and need a reliable folding tool other than small pliers.

[bbussey]

I highly recommend the bending tools (photo etch workstations) made by The Small Shop.

http://thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

[wazzou]

I highly recommend the bending tools (photo etch workstations) made by The Small Shop.

http://thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

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