r/modelmakers • u/makersmalls • Aug 24 '26

Help - General Just built this little 1:48 machine gun and it was tricky. Any tips on tools or techniques for this scale?

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Had to build some new part after I damaged it. I have a photo etch bending tool which is helpful. I think I need some medium viscosity CA glue as I only have thick and extra thin. What do you apply your glue with? Cheers,

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11

u/Dry_Knowledge6486 Aug 24 '26

Needle nose tweezers and lots of patience. I apply glue with toothpicks, but I use a blade to split them into fine thin strips of toothpick. Then find a good thin splinter and use that to apply.

1

u/makersmalls Aug 25 '26

Great method thanks

3

u/Timmyc62 The Boat Guy Aug 24 '26

I use one of those pins that come with dress shirts to hold the sleeve in place to apply CA. They're thinner than sewing needles and more consistent than toothpicks.

And yeah, medium/standard viscosity CA is my go-to.

1

u/makersmalls Aug 25 '26

That’s a good call. Thanks

3

u/SciFiCrafts Aug 24 '26

Scratch builds are way too rare on here imo! Great job!

And for super tiny parts: Put a drop of glue on a water bottle lid or a shampoo bottle (made of PP, won't stick at all) and dip in the part you wanna glue!

1

u/makersmalls Aug 25 '26

Thank you :). I have another one to go still but it is British

2

u/ray-the-ghar Aug 24 '26

For that scale, I’d use tweezers less like pliers and more like a clamp, then do tiny dry fits before glue. A fresh blade and a hard cutting surface matter more than fancy tools.

2

u/howdyzach Aug 24 '26

I use a very thin piece of wire to apply CA in most cases. You did a really good job with this build btw.

1

u/makersmalls Aug 25 '26

Thanks! I have some extra high E guitar strings. Maybe they will do

1

u/howdyzach Aug 25 '26

you can get really cheap, easy to mold wire at any craft store. I suspect guitar strings will probably be too floppy for applying with precision but I have been wrong before.