Page 1 of 1
Solder iron use
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:28 pm
by olifant
I just purchased a screwdriver shaped 30 watt soldering iron with the intent of using it to score zimmerit in some plastic models. Before I begin can anyone comment on technique/tips for the inexperienced user?
Thanks!
Zimmerit Method
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:44 pm
by Folkwulfe
I had this earmarked several months ago for another project.....
http://cs.finescale.com/forums/719270/ShowPost.aspx
It's mainly 1/35th scale modeling, but they discuss many different methods of applying zimmerit to a model with soldering irons. You might want to read through several of them and try the one that fits your build. Good luck.
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:31 pm
by pickelhaube
Don't use it . Use tile mastic .
Don't use it. Use tile mastic.
Don't use it . Use tile mastic .
Have you seen any of the Huns work? I told him about using tile mastic and you can see how it looks when it is finished.
Tile mastic is an arylic. It sticks like a son of a gun to plastic. It is forgiving . If you don't like it scrape it off and start over. It hardens in a day. You simply use acrylic paint to finish the project.
The hot melt way is not forgiving. Once it is done there is no turning back.
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:39 pm
by conteaddict
yeah i would advise you not to try it unless you are experienced with one . If u insist on using one then i would reccomend that you take a spare piece of plastic and get the feel of it first then try on the tank.
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:53 pm
by KAMIKAZE
Picklehaube and conteaddict are Right. Use the tile mastic. If you use a soldering
gun you can't make any mistakes or it's ruined. With the tile mastic you can simulate chips in the zimmerit and it is workable untill it sets. If you make a mistake, do it over. I have had a lot of experience with this lately. Make sure you get good pictures of the subject in order to get an accurate pattern.
Mark
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:20 am
by jeffrowse
Best advice for soldering iron use; don't plug it in, switch it on and then pick it up by the thin, metal end.
And definitely do NOT sit there watching smoke curling out from between your fingers!
One of the best electronics designers I ever met, but the common sense of a housebrick
(this was while I was an apprentice with British Aerospace in Weybridge, Surrey during the 80's - all that's left there now is the Brooklands museum
...).
"Klytus, I'm bored. What plaything can you offer me today?"