Filling Ejector Pin Marks Made Easy

[Jenny Croft]

I like many have groaned when on the inside of every hatch , specially it seems with Tamiya , there is a filthy great series of ejector pin marks !

Well the tool makers add these to the mould to help extract the plastic from the mould in the manufacturing process . Key words ?????? tool makers The pin marks are a regular sizing that the tool maker added , how does this help us ?

The Historex Punch & Die set

The pins are the same size as the dies in a punch and die set sooo just add discs to the pin marks , carry different thicknesses (or multi ply) for different circumstances , as most modellers know , it is easier to sand an "outy" pin mark than fill an "inny" pin mark .

I hope this helps !

Jenny

 

[Phil_H]

Another "trick" I use is to fill recessed pin marks with Tamiya Liquid Surface Primer (or Mr Surfacer - they are both quite similar).

[li]Using a toothpick, I deposit a drop of LSP and run the tip of the toothpick around the circumference of the depression to ensure coverage.[/li]
[li]Overfill the pin mark so that it "domes" above and leave it to dry overnight.[/li]
[li]When dry, carefully shave the top off the "dome" with a chisel-edge knife blade to the level of the surrounding plastic. (The Tamiya LSP is somehat softer than styrene when dry.)[/li]

When done right this leaves you with a flush-filled pin mark requiring little sanding.

Naturally, this method works best on flat surfaces with little surrounding detail, but with care can be used in many situations.

 

[Legio Italica]

Thank you Jenny, very useful tip.. I never thought if would be so easier. :S But am I a modeller so devoid of immagination, I often wonder ?

Massimo