Tiny photoetched-metal parts are almost impossible to handle with tweezers. Too often, modelers simply give up because these parts are too small to manipulate.

I discovered the following technique entirely by accident: A dampened microbrush will pick up a small (less than 5⁄32″ diameter) part and hold it well enough to reliably place it. A 1/350 scale watertight door is about as large as you can go with this technique, but those larger parts can be handled easily enough with tweezers.

Here’s how to handle those tiny parts:

1) Put a dot of glue at the part’s destination. (I prefer Gator’s Grip acrylic hobby glue because it is tacky and retains the part once it comes into contact.)

2) Cut the photoetched-metal part from the fret and leave it lying flat on the work surface.

3) Dampen a microbrush by immersing it in water, then wiping it on a cloth.

4) Lightly touch the part and it will adhere to the brush. 

5) Move the part to the glue dot, then touch the part to the glue. Lift the brush and the part will stay behind. (Don’t push the part into the glue with the microbrush.)

6) Use a No. 11 blade to adjust the part into its final position.

Other kinds of glues will work for this, but Gator’s Grip is my favorite because of its tackiness and because the acrylic glue won’t harm the microbrush; you can simply rinse it with water. Super glue can work, but you may not have as much time to work. And if you touch the super glue with the microbrush, you’ll have to switch to a new one for the next part.

Tip submitted by:
Harold HughesBridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada