by Michael Potter » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:33 pm
See my illustrated short article at the RC/Scratchbuilding forum about MicroMark's Pro-Etch kit. I use it exclusively for 1/600 and 1/700 ship parts, including weapons, lattice masts, life raft supports, platforms, superstructure sides, davits, drill templates, and assembly jigs.
Before you order the kit, create some artwork on your PC to verify that you can do it. I do all of mine with MS-PowerPoint. PC artwork is an absolute prerequisite to use the PE kit. I use the kit to support scratch-building. This kit is not, repeat not, economical to replace stock PE from WEM, GMM, etc., when stock PE contains scale parts you can use.
The narrowest cut you can etch is 1/2 point (120 points = 1 inch). You can engrave artwork on one side and etch through from both sides for other pieces on the same fret. For engraved artwork, it's easiest to place the transparency upside down; otherwise, you have to mirror what you want to engrave.
The kit contains everything you need except the PC and printer (and the chemicals if you live outside the continental USA). Print your art on inkjet transparency film that comes with the kit. No need to visit a photo shop. If you order MicroMark's kit, order an extra set of transparencies. The chemicals need careful handling but emit no fumes. I do the etching phase on dirt outside in case of a spill.
This kit works fine for me. My only connection with MicroMark and its suppliers is that I am a customer.
See my illustrated short article at the RC/Scratchbuilding forum about MicroMark's Pro-Etch kit. I use it exclusively for 1/600 and 1/700 ship parts, including weapons, lattice masts, life raft supports, platforms, superstructure sides, davits, drill templates, and assembly jigs.
Before you order the kit, create some artwork on your PC to verify that you can do it. I do all of mine with MS-PowerPoint. PC artwork is an absolute prerequisite to use the PE kit. I use the kit to support scratch-building. This kit is not, repeat not, economical to replace stock PE from WEM, GMM, etc., when stock PE contains scale parts you can use.
The narrowest cut you can etch is 1/2 point (120 points = 1 inch). You can engrave artwork on one side and etch through from both sides for other pieces on the same fret. For engraved artwork, it's easiest to place the transparency upside down; otherwise, you have to mirror what you want to engrave.
The kit contains everything you need except the PC and printer (and the chemicals if you live outside the continental USA). Print your art on inkjet transparency film that comes with the kit. No need to visit a photo shop. If you order MicroMark's kit, order an extra set of transparencies. The chemicals need careful handling but emit no fumes. I do the etching phase on dirt outside in case of a spill.
This kit works fine for me. My only connection with MicroMark and its suppliers is that I am a customer.