Archive for Product Review
Detailing Pens
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The use of pens with very fine points has been a technique modelers have used for decades. Early on in my modeling endeavors I was introduced to LeRoy Technical Drawing Pens otherwise known as Rapidograph Pens which are made by Koh-I-Nor. These pens range in size down to 0000 in size and use India Ink which is available in several different colors.
Over the years technology has kept pace with such mundane things as even ink and drawing pens, today one of the pens I use is made by Micron, which are archival marking pens. The other day mine went dry, so I needed to pickup another one to finish some of the panel detailing I was doing on my of my build projects.
I typically find these in the aisle where the drawing pens & pencils are kept at my local Hobby Lobby craft store. While there restocking on Micron pens, I happened to notice PITT Artist Pens from Faber-Castell.
Product description from the Faber-Castell website:
PITT artist pens use India Ink that is acid free, waterproof when dry and odorless. Available in 48 vibrant colors, PITT artist pens won’t bleed through paper like traditional markers. The brush nib is long lasting and sturdy, and can be refreshed by simply removing the nib and turning it over to reveal a fresh point! PITT artist pens are available in brush nibs, as well as a big brush nib that is larger and has 4 times as much ink! Great for all types of surfaces including canvas, fabric, wood and ceramic. For drawing, sketching and more detailed work, try the PITT artist pens in smaller nib sizes ranging from extra superfine to medium.
I picked up both the fine point as well as the brush nib style which I am finding very useful at detail small things such as instrument panels and raise details. The brush type tip is like using a fine tipped paint brush only better, the bristles don’t splay and no errant hairs. I paid $3.49 each for these pens, money well spent I might add.
These pens are much better than the old Rapidograph pens I have, I don’t have to deal with the maintenance and refilling to use them. This can be a tedious process especially if you don’t use them frequently. The tips tend to dry and clog…much worse in comparison than dealing with a clog in a Touch n Flow!
After using the basic black PITT Artist Pen, I will on my next visit pick up a set of assorted colors which will allow me to have colors necessary to meet my other detailing needs. I do have markers for such purposes, but the PITT pens seem to have better coverage. As soon as I get some panels highlighted using them, I’ll be sure to illustrate and comment the fact in a future post.
Xuron’s NEW Pro PE Cutter-Sneak Peek
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Xuron Corp and I have teamed up to design and produce yet another Professional Series of tools for scale modeling enthusiasts. First of this series was the 2175ET Professional Sprue Cutter. As a companion to that we wanted a tool that could do for Photo Etched what the 2175ET did for styrene sprues. Well, in my hand I am holding a pre-production sample of the new Xuron Professional PE Cutter!
Like the 2175ET Pro Sprue Cutter, it fits comfortably in the hand which provides greater stability. This is critical when a tool to remove those ever so small and delicate parts found on PE frets. The sharp precision cutter allows it to carefully reach in between the tightly packed parts in order to remove them without damaging them or the surrounding pieces.
As soon as part/stock numbers and pricing is made available I will pass that information on. If you liked the 2175ET Pro Sprue Cutter, you’re gonna love Xuron’s Professional PE Cutter too!
Our goal is to have this new product available for retailers in the first quarter of 2010, so it should be coming soon to your favorite hobby retailer! As soon as I have word is has begun shipping to distributors/retailers I’ll pass that along too.
Product Review-Dual Cutter
Posted by: | CommentsYou might have seen this included in another post here on my blog at which time I probably said a further review was coming. Well here it is!
Excel’s Adjustable Duel Flex Cutter Set
If you are constantly cutting narrow strips of tape for masking and need them precisely the same each time, then you might want to pick up this set.
I found it very easy to use, I simply set the width between the blades by holding then to a steel ruler. Or using the model itself to set the spacing such as a stripe on an airliner using decal stock.
The adjustment knob has just the right amount of friction to turn easily yet hold the blades in a constant parallel. It was comfortable to hold and use with no worries about slipping from ones hand.
This tool has come in very useful since I acquired it. My homemade version has since been retired. I never did like having two knives taped together, it restricted width selection.
You can also use it as a light scriber to scribe parallel lines on plastic. I’ve even use it as caliper for transferring measurement…nothing better than a tool that multitasks!
Available at most hobby and craft stores stocking the Excel line of quality tools.
