Can anyone recommend on where to get a photo etch bending tool at a reasonable price? I thought model kits themselves had ridiculous markup but these things are insanely priced. Yikes!! Any help is appreciated, I am in southern California if anyone knows a local dealer, online retailers are fine too.

eBay.com , if you must. I find that I use mine very little. Instead, I am constantly using flat tweezers and razor blades.

That's what I was thinking, figured for 95% if the stuff I can bend without some special tool. For the price of one of these tools I could buy another model or two. I think I'll wing it and if something too technical comes along I'll grab a cheap import model if the web for an occasional use.

Same here. All simple bends are done with flat nose pliers, for more complex shapes I got the smaller RP Toolz , which is simple and fairly priced

Don't purchase the plastic ones , they may be cheap but they don't stand the abuse and they wear out faster . Now the small shops makes a very nice one but the price is up there , the quality is great .

If you use a lot of PE then bite the bullet and get a commercial bender. It will cost the same as a premium kit. THe tool will be useful on many kits. Once the kit you buy instead of the tool and complete will sit on shelf looking pretty.

If you only use kit provided PE, a 4"X4" piece of glass, a six inch steel ruler and razor blade should do. Generally the bends aren't that complex. If you use expensive AM PE kits which do have complex bends then get a commercial tool.

I have a six inch Hold n Fold and it works very well. It replaced the combo I mentioned. I borrowed a TRumpeter bender and tried it. I liked it and was going to buy one, but scored a Hold and Fold six inch on ebay for less than $40. The Trumpeters are available on eBay for around $35-$40. Seems like a good deal on the Trumpeter.

Final thought: Buy the best you can afford. THey all work well. I'd stay away from the really low end tools.

Just remember , the cheap ones will work but you get what you pay for .

John,
Why not make your own? I have made one with scrap aluminum before making notches of different widths and the “cutter” with scraps of plexi glass. I did go on to buy one later when I was on a tool buying spree. However you could make a good one with some plexi or metal ruler and binder clips. Hmmm maybe that will be in my build a tool campaign. Best of luck.

Dan

I got one in a Japanese LHS that is made of photo-etched (or maybe laser etched) stainless steel. Supposed to have inter-changeable surfaces for different folding needs. I've found it to be all but useless and a huge waste of money.