Ingredients
a - a computer (too big to fit in the ingredients pic... or as an alternative a ruler and a pencil)
b- a piece of metal foil of the appropriate thickness (aluminium, copper, brass, soda can, etc.)
c- a sheet of self-adhesive labels
d- a pair of scissors
e- a pair of pliers (with flat ends)
f- a knife
g- a "hold & fold" tool (optional)

How to
Step 1
With your computer and your favourite graphics software, draw the part you want to reproduce, including the lines wher the parts have to be bent.


The drawing is finished
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Step 2
Print your "computer art" on a label on your printer


The drawing has been printed

Step 3
Stick the label (or part of it) to the metal foil


The label has been stuck on the metal foil

Step 4
Cut the foil to shape with the scissors

Step 5
Fold the parts you have created with the the pliers (or the "hold and fold" tool)


The PE alike parts are ready

Step 6
With the aid of the knife, remove the label from the parts

Step 7
Glue the parts in place using CA glue, clear varnish or Future floor polish


The PE (alike) parts have been added to the model

I kept the shape of the PE (alike) parts simple, but you can get it complicated as much as your scissors cutting skills allow you...
Happy modeling everybody!!!

You are giving all your building secrets away. And we thank you. Another fine tip for all.
Thanks Fabio..

Wow! This is great. The process is so simple yet so effective. Thanks for the tip.

I' actually don't think I'm giving away anything... What I want to do is to "tickle" other people to share their knowledge in a kind of "structured" way, trying to keep it simple. I'm not for the science hold by few I'm much more keen in divulgating the knowledge. On top of that I enjoy myself writing such things. Also the "for dummies" has not to be taken in a peggiorative sense what I want o mean is "for everybody" and I borrowed from a famous computer series books. When I "discover" someting that can come handy for someone else I'm really happy to put in place some, I hope, useful posts...
Thanks to you Animal and to Marty for your kind words.
Ciao

So - where do you get your metal material? That's what holds me back the most. I usually find myself scrounging office supply type things and it's never as nice as your raw material.

slodder,
Just use old foil containers they come in different thickness,
you should get ian stapley to do an article on it on digital diamonds,
he can make alsorts from foil, abit like BA from the A team but only in 1/35 scale
:-)

Slodder, my row materials come from the most desparate places, for instance:

- copper/brass/aluminium foil:: hw stores or arts craft stores or soda cans (in various ticknesses)
- self adhesive labels: usually from Avery but anything you find at office supplies will be ok

Anyway the most "inspiring" places where the most part of the "ingredients" I use come from are:

1) [b]the supermarket when I go shopping with my family (usually once a week) I always find something that can be used for the hobby
2) Hardware stores I just can spend hours digging in all the stuff they've got and they're a real gold mine

These places, on top of being handy due to the massive amount of goods available, are also infinitely cheaper than hobby shops carrying the same stuff...
Ciao

wow thx nice idea, thx for the great tip! i have to try that 2

well now that is a brilliant idea to bad i dont have the tools at the moment

Soccia,

I have just read this post and I have to say I think this is an excellent idea. When I have to replicate pe parts that are of a repeated/regular pattern I just bite the bullet and measure out/cut out each one individually.

What you have described here is a much better and faster way of semi-automating this task. This is one tip I will definately use in the future - many thank indeed for sharing this!

Way to go! :-)

Lee

Wow! You're a great scratchbuilder!