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How to scribe panel lines

Learn how to scribe panel lines on your plastic scale models

In this quick video, Aaron Skinner shows you how easy it is to scribe panel lines onto your plastic scale model. Learn some tricks and see what tools you need.

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19 COMMENTS
Added 7 years ago
JAKE HOLSHUH
good to see that you have the same trouble with sharps as we mortals do.
Added 7 years ago
Herb Greenwood
Nicely done. Well lighted authentic studio environment and closeups. Thank you.
Added 10 years ago
WARREN CHAMBERS
Who sells that saw at a reasonable price? Did you hack your finger? lol :p just kiddin ya, (about slicing your digit not the saw, I want one of those)
Added 11 years ago
CLIFFORD P MILLER
At auto part stores you can purchase metal feller gauge strips, have them cut 5 to 6" long they come in different thickness (Ex. .025", .005" Etc..) these work well with scribes and my favorite dental tools.
Added 11 years ago
JERRY HAMMERHOFER
Short, clear and to the point with a lot of options.
Added 11 years ago
CHRIS PEPPER
Great vid. I hope you changed that band aid
Added 11 years ago
JONATHAN BOTTING
Thanks for the demo, I liked the suggestion of an old photo etched fret. A close up shot of the "purpose" scriber tool would have been helpful, as well as the panel line areas lost to sanding (even a before and after photo.)
Thanks again!
Added 11 years ago
ANTHONY DARIENZO
I never thought of using a razor saw before this video. Good idea.
Added 11 years ago
MICHAEL RATCLIFFE
I can't wait to try it om my next kit.
Added 11 years ago
JONAS CARLSON
Come on, skip the music in the beginning, it really drowns the speech.
Added 12 years ago
KEN INGRAHAM
Works well with the back of the hobby knife, thanks
Added 12 years ago
GEROLD BLOSSEY
Very good information.
Added 12 years ago
KELLY KNOTT
John, sorry for the late reply. My experience is with AFV panel lines but the same techniques apply. If the surface is not a perfect circle such as around tapered fuselages and wings, keep the body of the tape on the same side of the line as the narrow part of the taper. This way you are not trying to stretch the opposite edge of the tape to make the edge on the line sit flat nor does it tend to curve away to follow the taper.
For S shaped lines on flat or, heaven forbid, curved surfaces then try a set of french curves. French curves are designed to incorporate just about every radius of curve and compound curve in one weird shaped template. The smaller and cheaper the better as the have smaller radii and are more flexible.
For long panel lines on vehicles I have used a metal straight edge held in place with magnets positioned on the inside. Note that the metal must be ferrous so left over photo etch sprue is usually of no use. Cheat dime store 15 cm (6 in) steel rules are good, the cheaper the better as they are made of thin metal that bends more easily. (Don't trust the graduations though.) The magnets will not do all the holding for you whilst scribing, but keep position when setting up and repositioning your hands during the job. They also provide that extra bit of resistance to movement while scribing. Rare earth magnets are readily available online but keep them away from children. Swallowing two or more can be fatal as they can clamp two parts of the intestines together at an bend etc if they come close enough.
Hope this helps.
Added 12 years ago
CARLOS BARRAL
Very interesting. I will try your technic.
Added 12 years ago
KENNETH ROSENGRANT
Very informative.
Added 12 years ago
JOHN KEISER
How about when the surface to be scribed isn't a perfect circle? What method do you use to follow the curvature precisely? Also what's the best method to scribe those long straight lines on wings and along the fuselage... tape or a long metal straight edge that you tape down somehow. You may have gathered that I've had a few problems with scribing :-)
Added 12 years ago
BEN RHYNE
Great Technique I hope to use this on my next project.
Added 12 years ago
WILLIAM CROWLEY
Currently working on a Pe3 Bis and with the large gaps and ill fitting parts, panel lines get lost easily. This method will help a lot when I go to replace those lines. I've also used a similar technique when adding rivets to my aircraft.

Thanks for posting.
Added 12 years ago
MANLIUS DUNCAN
I also use the needle from a compass to start my groove then finish with a scriber. Again light passes are the key. On a sidenote, the bloody finger was a nice addition! Great to see you guys at FSM are human too!
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