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PE rigging help
Topic Started: May 10 2018, 04:59 PM (242 Views)
Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
My current project has been the Monogram F11C conversion into a BFC-2 by Starfighter. I was excited about the PE EZ-rigging included with the kit since rigging 1/72 biplanes neatly has not been one of my better modeling abilities.

However all was not good when I got to the rigging stage. First (I think the parts are etched steel not brass) my trusty X-Acto didnt want to cut the parts loose (I even broke one scalpel blade) and ended up using heavy duty sprue cutters. Then the PE piece was bent when finally freed from its frame. In the end I used .005" nitinol wire.

Fortunately I had only removed one length of etched rigging so the rest of the piece is intact. Before I try this again on another of the Monogram/Starfighter kits, I am looking for suggestions for a) removing the parts without damage and b) how to straighten any that do bend.

I think the idea of the EZ-Rigging is good, I simply lack the skills to implement it
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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Aaron_w
Member Avatar
Toady
[ * ]
Chuck1945
May 10 2018, 04:59 PM
My current project has been the Monogram F11C conversion into a BFC-2 by Starfighter. I was excited about the PE EZ-rigging included with the kit since rigging 1/72 biplanes neatly has not been one of my better modeling abilities.

However all was not good when I got to the rigging stage. First (I think the parts are etched steel not brass) my trusty X-Acto didnt want to cut the parts loose (I even broke one scalpel blade) and ended up using heavy duty sprue cutters. Then the PE piece was bent when finally freed from its frame. In the end I used .005" nitinol wire.

Fortunately I had only removed one length of etched rigging so the rest of the piece is intact. Before I try this again on another of the Monogram/Starfighter kits, I am looking for suggestions for a) removing the parts without damage and b) how to straighten any that do bend.

I think the idea of the EZ-Rigging is good, I simply lack the skills to implement it
I used the EZ rigging on one of my models, it wasn't for me.

It is a quality product as far as manufacture goes, so I'm not bashing the product. It was nominally easier than rigging with wire, particularly for doing the double wires these planes use. For someone that absolutely hates rigging, or is intimidated to the point of not building biplanes because of rigging it is a legitimate option.


My issue was I really struggled to get it to look tight on the wing sections. PE lacks the inherent stiffness of music wire and it tended to look like it was sagging. When you factor in the time spent adjusting it so it was passable (I never was 100% happy with it) I just decided it was just as easy to use wire as I had been doing.


I don't recall any issues cutting it, but it was a few years ago. I also use a relatively heavy blade to cut PE. I use one of those cheap hardware store breakaway knives and with care they will even cut thin steel wire. I wouldn't try that with a scalpel or #11.
Aaron Woods
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Starfighter Decals
Hero
[ * ]
Xuron Photo-etch cutters is what I use. Consider these an investment, as they are expensive.

EZ Rigging is not for everyone, it seems. I have no problem using it, mostly because I designed it and use it all the time. That being said, if you have spent most of your life doing the the old fashioned way of "sewing it together with thread" or "stretching sprue" and are satisfied with the results, don't change what you do. You are a far better modeler than I will ever be. I failed miserably trying both and chucked many a biplane model due to my lack of skill. After I came up with this idea and produced it, I am so tickled with what I can do now when it comes this method of rigging. Evidently I have satisfied customers world wide, as it's one of my best selling products and struggle at times to keep it stocked. I'm also getting requests for new sets that are slowly getting designed as time allows (being a one man band: doing everything from design to packing the final products and most everything in between.).

As always, if you have questions of how I use it, the tricks I use and why I design it the way I do, drop me an e-mail or chat me up at a show where I am vending. (This or any other product I sell) I get so discouraged to read on forums and other review sites about how a product I sell is "Hard to use", "Flawed", "doesn't work as I wanted it (Key word is "I", by the way, not how it is suppose to be used/installed) when not an e-mail, text, letter, or a question asked of me asking about the issue at hand. Just something to think about from someone who is doing his best to bring products to market to make the Plastic Modeling experience more enjoyable.
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Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
Mark

Like I said, I think it is a great idea, I just currently lack the proper skills. I will treat the frame that I got with the BFC-2 as a test and keep at cutting the rigging pieces from their frames (sprue?). Should give me a better chance to figure out how to do it without bending the parts.
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
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erussell
C'est
[ * ]
I haven't come across this one before, except maybe that's what the Tamiya Swordfish has, but it looks interesting. I'm up for a challenge so I have just ordered a set!
Ed Russell at www.redroomodels.com
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MDriskill
Hero
[ * ]
“Mr. Starfighter” was at our show in Knoxville this last Saturday (THANK YOU for that, by the way!). He entered two of his biplane conversions and I can vouch that this rigging looks great in his hands.
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