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Masking tape - a question


nheather

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Looking at Tamiya masking tape and note it comes in 6mm, 10mm and 18mm widths.

 

As a beginner, just wondering why and when you would use the different widths?

 

What is the most common, useful width?

 

Cheers,

 

Nigel

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I buy only the 18 mm

I put strips of the 18 mm on a glass plate then slice that into narrower strips as and when I need them. I'll cut 1/2 mm wide for 1/72 aeroplane seat belts. 2 or 3 or 4mm  wide for masking the demarcation line between top and lower colours on an aeroplane, that sort of thing.

I use 'Frog' tape which is 25mm wide for covering larger areas such as a full aeroplane wing or a ship's hull under the boot line having used Tamiya tape for an initial masked borderline

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I have the 6, 10, 18 and 40mm Tamiya normal ones, the 2mm curved one, the 1mm normal Vallejo one and also bought some 2mm normal AK (that I don't really recommend).

*normal: the regular tape, not a tape that is specifically designed for curved lines.

I use the width that best suits the purpose, a lot of the times I go with the 6mm to make the edges of the "design" and the I go to the width that allows me to mask the area to be protected in a single (if possible) pass.

 

5bJ7T4z.jpg

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On 12/07/2020 at 12:20, dromia said:

I use  MT Washi Tape cheaper than the branded stuff. I just get the 1/2" stuff and cut smaller if needed using the excellent Infini-Model Easycutting board Type A that goes down to 1/64".

I’ve never heard of those cutting mats. They seem really useful! Wonder what Santa will bring this year 🙂 Do you have a recommendation for a circle cutter to use with the mats?

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I use an Olfa circle cutter with the Type B board. The problem with them is the smaller diameters the Olfa only goes down to  1/8th of an inch radius 1/4 of an inch diameter and I haven't found one to cut smaller. So for the smaller diameters I move onto my punch and die sets.

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2 hours ago, Henrik Esping said:

I’ve never heard of those cutting mats. They seem really useful! Wonder what Santa will bring this year 🙂 Do you have a recommendation for a circle cutter to use with the mats?

Here's where I purchased mine from.

https://www.premiumhobbies.co.uk/infini-easy-cutting/infini-model-easy-cutting-complete-set

They are available separately.

You don't necessarily need a circle cutter, there are groves cut into the mats which your scalpel blade will follow.

For smaller circles these are very good.

https://www.premiumhobbies.co.uk/masking/hiq-parts-circular-masking-stickers-s-10-28mm

 

https://www.premiumhobbies.co.uk/masking/hiq-parts-circular-masking-stickers-m-30-46mm

 

https://www.premiumhobbies.co.uk/masking/hiq-parts-circular-masking-stickers-l-48-60mm

 

https://www.premiumhobbies.co.uk/masking/hiq-parts-circular-masking-stickers-xl-62-76mm

Sure you can punch circles out but life is to short when you can get the job done for you! 🙂

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The thing about cutters boards punches and the like for making masks is that I can use my choice of tape paper etc. I have tried these pre cut masks before, not that brand they were Maketar, and found that the paper used was just to fragile and floppy for me to manipulate into place with my feeling redundant fingers.

 

Now I can make masks and the like from materials that suit my needs in a particular case, if off the peg works for you then good for you but I prefer a bit more independence.

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