Remove photo etched metal parts from the fret
Stop losing your photo-etched parts and keep them looking new and clean by following these steps
The first step in adding photo-etched metal (PE) parts to a model is getting them off the frame, often referred to as a fret. Here are some tips to make that easier as well as cleaning up any remnants of the attachment point.
Let’s start with removing the parts. The brass sheets, or frets, are typically extremely thin and the parts can be cut off with a hobby knife or specialized tools, including Xuron High Precision Scissor (No. 440) and Xuron Professional Photo Etch Scissor (No. 9180ET).
You can sever the thin attachment points with a hobby knife. Place the fret on a hard surface like a tile and hold down the part being removed with a tool of your choice to prevent it from being launched into the air when it is free of the fret. Eye protection is essential.
Xuron’s Professional Photo Etch Scissor has finely pointed tips that can work into tight spots and cut through attachments. Getting the tips into position is not always possible, but when it is, part removal becomes much easier.
Just like plastic parts, PE requires cleanup with sanding sticks or files. Use fine sanding sticks or files because coarse grits tend to catch and bend the metal. Typically, there is minimal material to remove and it won’t take many swipes to eliminate the nubs.
Hold small parts in tweezers or pliers for cleanup; locking tweezers or fine needle-nosed pliers work perfectly. Hold the part close to the edge that needs to be sanded to help prevent it from bending. Sand parallel to the edge as opposed to perpendicular to minimize damage to the part.