IPMS/USA Reviews

UMM-USA is one of the premier tool makers in the modeling market. John Vojtech has made many of these based upon his needs for his award-winning models. This is the Precision Sprue & Wire Cutter. This version, 02, has a rounded end. The piece comes in a plastic sleeve for easy storage.

So, let's take a look at the cutter. I personally like the rounded end version as it allows great vision for cutting. The end comes to a sharp point and that allows a fine cut on smaller parts. The part is "springy" and acts like tweezers. Because of the action at the cutting end, it allows for a very flush cut and leaves almost no clean up necessary.

So, let's take it for a test run. I started with the tires on Tamiya's P-38 kit and they cut flush. It took one cut to lose it from the sprue and a second cut from the bottom gate off. After that, there was nothing left. The sprue cutter was advertised for wire also, so I grabbed some smaller diameter brass wire and it cut it smoothly also.

This is a great weapon in your arsenal in building and for newer modelers; it should be the first thing you should buy. Recommended.

For a good long while, Mig Jimenez has been designing and producing products that make modelers lives so very much easier. In the case of this set of washes, AMMO has packaged up a "basic" set that includes an assortment of colors that would fit the bill for anyone trying to create a foundation for weathering their model of any sort. This set provides the easiest solution to the novice modeler who is just starting in the hobby and does not really know what is needed, and adds another tool to the toolbox for the intermediate or advanced modeler.

The set includes the following five washes:

• A.MIG-1002 TRACK WASH
• A.MIG-1004 LIGHT RUST WASH
• A.MIG-1008 DARK WASH
• A.MIG-1203 STREAKING GRIME
• A.MIG-1400 KURSK SOIL

This universal assortment of shades allows for the weathering of practically any genre of model- from dark and streaking washes to rust shades. The package is a convenient solution that provides the user with everything they need to weather any part of the model- from tracks to exhausts to engine to the weathering of the vehicle as a whole.

This is the fourth of a four-part review of Mission Models Paints.

Clear Primer

Why Clear Primer?

That is the question I asked Jon Tamkin owner of Mission Models Paints at the Chattanooga IPMS Convention. John looked at me for a second and I saw just a slight smile starting to emerge from the side of his mouth as if to say here is a whole new chapter in the Mission Models Paint story. After a conversation with him about the primer, I am inclined to agree with him.

What is Clear Primer

When I first heard about the Clear Primer, I was thinking to myself the primers I use are to check for defects on the model and can correct them with a little sanding. So how could a clear primer help with that?

UMM USA has come to modelers rescue with another excellent tool, this time, the Micro Template Scriber. As the name describes, this tool is used to scribe using templates to replicate specific shapes being added to a model or to fix what was lost sanding and filling. Modelers have used many things in the past to do this same task- needles, line engravers, etc., and each has their drawbacks. UMM has produced a Template Scriber designed to fix these problems. The engraving tip is hardened tool steel to make sure the edge stays crisp. It is very fine and will glide around the interior of the template. Very importantly, the handle is ergonomically designed and has a grip to avoid slipping and allow even pressure to keep lines consistent.

Use is simple. Place your template in the correct place and ensure it doesn't slip (taping into place is an easy way to do this). Hold the tool perpendicular to the surface in all axis and initially apply very light pressure as you follow the template's shape. Increase the pressure and repeat until increasing pressure until you get the shape you need. A little sanding to deburr and you're done.

I have been using UMM scribers for quite a while now. I use it for scraping seams and engraving panels lines eradicated by sanding and filling. Its design is multipurpose, and I love it. That was the SCR-01 original scriber. Since that came out, Jon has come out with an SCR-02 and now, an SCR-03 version. The newest version is longer and thinner than the originals providing even better access to tight corners.

The part itself is manufactured from hardened tool steel and has a matte finish. One end is a sharpened hook for scribing panel lines and the other end is a flat blade which also has an edge to it. Overall length is 5.5 inches which is comfortable to hold in your hands and makes it very maneuverable even with my small hands.

The UMM web site listed above lists its possible uses as scribing panel lines with push and pull techniques, removing pin marks, trimming flash, trimming stretched sprue, deburring, piercing, scrapping, carving etc.

I highly recommend the video showing the original tool being put through the paces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz1RZPVqnN4