Scratchbuilding your own METAL parts!

So many people dread using photo etched parts... but then imagine what it takes to make your own metal details if there's no photoetched set for your model! Haha I'm just joking...
Making and soldering your own metal details is actually fairly simple and the results are oh so worth it. The fenders I use as demonstration in this video are very simple, but the techniques are exactly the same on more complex parts.
Patreon: / nightshiftmodeller
Instagram: / nightshiftscalemodeller
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Disclaimer: I am not paid to promote any products shown in this video. I simply use what I have as long as it works for me.
Music: No Copyright Music from KZbin Audio Library

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

There's no aftermarket PE set for your model. WHAT DO? A) build your own metal details from copper or soda cans B) don't give a flying feather because you hate PE anyway

[@JonBius]

B! :) (OK, maybe I'll try it... ;) )

[@eternalASV120]

How did you do these rivets on composite armor? Soldered them?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Those are punched from tin foil and attached with black superglue :) 0,3mm rivets

[@eternalASV120]

@@NightShiftScaleModels oh right, I forgot you already mentioned it in one of previous videos, but thanks anyway))

[@weepweep2225]

Night Shift where can I find some small hinges for fenders? 1/6 scale king tiger fender but having issues finding hinges and all, bout to build some with the tips you supplied in this great video!

[@Snonaniganz]

The MADLAD actually did it. Pro modelers hate him. Jokes aside another stellar video, can't wait to see more :)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

r/madlads Thanks!!

[@chepa1767]

@@NightShiftScaleModels lol r/hefunny

[@pedroalbicastrense353]

Your vidéos are always better : simple , effectives methods . Funny comments , i'm totally fan ! Keep going cheers from Portugal 👍

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks Pedro! Glad you're having fun!

[@AlexModeling]

Realy love your relaxed way to describe and explain the videos and these are pro format funny to watch... As i Said your stellar my armour friend! Greetings from Portugal

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks a lot! Cheers mate.

[@EvilhomerNZ]

I'm not a tank modeller by any means but I'm into mini's and gundam.. but your videos are EPIC. Great techniques, hilariously delivered. I can't stop watching!

[@030corpetlouvet]

The best KZbin video of the week. Friday modelling party 👍

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Awww thank you!

[@beklot]

After your Char B1 construction video I ordered a bunch of copper sheets.... they will arrive next week.... Man, I'm feelin' pumped about making my own fenderts with it for my 1/72 IS-2! Thank you for the great video!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

IS-2 is great for that! They are simple and you can damage them beyond recognition. Have fun with it!

[@pebblesthecat3625]

Please do more scratch building tutorials. It would be really invaluable to learn more skills like this, especially how you work out the size of the item you need to build, from the scale you need to make it to.

[@JonBius]

Nice demonstration! I've always been a bit mystified by that process, but your explanation makes me want to give it a try. Very cool stuff, Martin. 😎

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

It's actually easier than it looks! Just needs a bit of patience and practice.

[@ikiusen3646]

Excellent video, the just amount of everything, explanation, humor, different things that can go wrong, the meterials you need. I like these kind of stuff. Keep the good work man!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks! I'll for sure make a more in-depth video about this in the future.

[@ikiusen3646]

@@NightShiftScaleModels will be waiting for it! Grettings from Argentina!

[@aaron2709]

I love the old camera & light bulb sound effects.

[@od1452]

An old jewelers trick is to use contact cement to glue the pattern to the metal.. then cut it out. Water will clean it up. This may help some people.

[@uuffzz]

Thanks 👍

[@maniacpanic666]

One of the best modelling channels on KZbin. Keep it up….

[@nuclearwaste1016]

1:35 me: sorry i didnt catch that can you run it by me again Night shift: sure SONDJRISKDNEISKSHREOOSND

[@joecoulson2904]

Not sure if you mentioned in the video but what thickness of copper sheet do you use? Love all your videos by the way 👍

[@theblankettruth]

Wow, I'm not sure how I missed this video for so long but thanks! That was the most straight forward explanation for scratch building I have seen.

[@jessewalker7636]

I have been watching your videos for about a month now and it is very informative and effective. I build mostly cars but i can use similar techniques to get the job done. I enjoy your videos and you describe the process alot better than some others, you think like i do trying to find an easier way with the same results.

[@Riotdriver]

I love your videos, informative, well produced and edited, above all very very entertaining. Inspires me to get back into armour modelling. thank you.

[@SergioSolo]

Ok, now I have to order some copper. Good stuff!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

DO IT! It's what all the cool neighborhood kids use after all!

[@rick2620]

@@NightShiftScaleModels What type of copper sheet do you use? Thickness??

[@GoneFishing-8373]

@@rick2620 i think its 0.1 or 0.05

[@theodorebowman8434]

@@GoneFishing-8373 is that metrics or standard?

[@javierspilere8257]

A very good tip to remove excess soldering is to use a soft brass brush disc with a low powered dremmel tool. it will revive the soldering from the most tricky places and will not sand the copper or brass sheet.

[@z3r0f84]

My man you are making me a prodigy! Thank you for all your info, build tips and vids!!!!!

[@gustavodealba2459]

hello , first of all congratulations and thanks for sharing your work and techniques,,, you videos tutorials truly encouraged me to go back to model builidng and push myself to try new techniques i have a question what copper sheet thickness are you using for 1/35 and for 1/48? thank you in advanced

[@Basboy93]

I use a thick glass sheet for cutting and soldering PE parts, works like a charm!

[@hugoshobbies1688]

0:04 What the hell? This first demonstration image looks weird but awesome. Is that some orkish/post apocalyptic T95 or what? Would love to see the whole model. Speaking of this. I would also love to see some of your already built models, like whatever stands out in your collection, and hear your 2 cents about the kits. I really enjoy seeing awesome built and painted models like yours. That gives me inspiration and motivation for my own.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks a lot! That T95 is my what-if version from Pacific theatre in 1946 (hypothetical invasion of mainland Japan). USMC crews often used spikes on their Sherman tanks as defence against Japanese infantry. And hey, I have an instagram account full of my previous builds, the link is in the description of this video :)

[@0623kaboom]

use solder paste you can run a bead along your edge and just heat from the other side ... it will flux and weld the parts together super easy and saves having to use fluid and solder in two different applications ... as it comes already premixed ready for heating

[@donfrandsen7778]

By the way , love the bloopers LOL!!!, this was an excellent tip on each, creating Outstanding!!!!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks! I figured why should I delete those parts where I stutter? I should use them as bloopers! And here they are lol

[@PeteGay]

Dude! you have the BEST videos!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate!

[@TL_RC]

Thanks for such great tutorials! All the way from snowy cold Canada!

[@Susman-mb6hq]

0 dislikes. That says enough! Awesome video as always :)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I'm sure there will be some in the future :D

[@melodiapiano9518]

I guess we'll never know now with YT's stupid update...

[@Skevapo]

I've recently subscribed to your channel and I must admit that the quality of your videos is amazing. The content is awesome too, I found some really useful tips that no one on KZbin has tackled before. I am really keen on learning how to scratch so anything related I am super interested

[@claudiopalaciocampo6258]

Cool stuff pal, thanks for sharing Loved this video

[@DaveyChainZ69]

Another great video Martin 👍

[@stg152]

Marvelous!

[@jamesford7937]

That’s fucking crazy. Love it

[@radziwilltablada8583]

This is so helpful

[@cesarignjas]

Nice video. thanks for bringing that guide to us!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

My pleasure!

[@jonnycatland1987]

Dude. You are good...

[@angelloca375]

I am learning so much from you! Thank you

[@SprueFascinationChannel]

Great content Martin!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thank you!

[@brunolaplante8635]

love your videos ! excellent work !

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks a lot Bruno!

[@model-ma-king]

Nice! I like it!

[@armangunpla409]

And I learned an amazing thing!

[@JedenSiedemDwa]

Great tutorial. Nice to watch it. ;)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate :)

[@Jagdpanzer-bh4pb]

Need more videos! Ive watched them all.

[@velocityinstereo]

Fantastic video.

[@jasonbecker4974]

Wonderful.

[@coreyseals4269]

This is old hat lol but I still will give you a thumbs up haha! I still enjoy watching all your videos Uncle Night Shift 🏁 build on !!

[@bigroryhollar5023]

Thank you ....😎🍻

[@darronhedges5873]

Albion alloys make CONNECTO+ for making joins with brass tube.Makes frames and rails easy,and help's with angles.Great video.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Sounds like one of those tools you buy and think "how could I live without this?"

[@darronhedges5873]

Or ,i can do it like this,or like this,or like that and probably faster.Albion Alloys have alligned product codes to match the Connecto to right size tubes.£5 to £9 for brass fret of 90 pieces.0.4~1.2mm.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Or when you're connecting stuff just by intuition and it seems accurate, but each joint has a slight inaccuracy, those will add up and in the end it's all warped. I'd definitely get that stuff if I ever needed to solder some tubes into a complex shape.

[@darronhedges5873]

Their like little PE crosses,stars,5 and 6 pointed,and a 3 way 'duckfoot' shape,the thicknesses are 0.4 for 0.5 brass tube,up to 1.2mm.And you can bend them into 3D shapes for odd joints.On Rochm model's website 'products' page,the first Tiger I early\initial set has a 'Crew compartment heater shroud'.As they are kind enough to show a B&W plan view of parts,and multiple photo's of construction,how hard would it be to 'copy' it with copper?The new Somua upgrade set is scarily beautiful too.

[@darronhedges5873]

Just type connecto on utube,theres a 5min vid by Albion Alloys on how it works.

[@stevenkieler2267]

This is an excellent video. I'd like to see more about how you do the soldering. Do you have the solder directly on the soldering iron when you touch it to the metal part?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks Steven. Yes I should do a more in-depth video with more details about the soldering process. And yes, I have a small amount of solder on the tip. Not too much, it would flood the surface.

[@hanswurst2189]

Great video! How do you attach the metal parts to the plastic model? Is there a special glue?

[@charleshenderson9578]

Not sure if you respond? Or just the look over?? I can say it "ROCKS"? but to say' we enjoy, like wife and I. wife thanks your very humorous. For me! I,I like it too!!. And for budget , you work with what you have. Saw David models. For a Auzy he works fine with planes and making buildings. He show of making homemade rust! From steelwool and vinegar.. look interesting and cheap! In the past ,lost lot of stuff during the move. Paints,tanks,battle ships. You name it. I can say over the past few years or so. Had over $5.000 maybe $7.000 dollars. In build up , it took me 10 to 15 years to have the things in my garage. You can say nice little shop. So now! After the lost, im doing budget strings. Buy what i can afford. ...

[@latotheleaf2223]

Goodbye life. HELLO MODEL MAKING!! 🤪

[@alainvandenbosch2685]

Very nice video... Thank you so much...

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thank you too!

[@danwhitton7966]

Thanks for taking the time to put these videos together and sharing your wisdom. Inspiring! Where can I find thin copper sheets? I can find brass or styrene. Interested in the trying copper on a project.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I had to buy mine on ebay. You can find 1m long rolls of copper for a few $ there.

[@toby6326]

How thick of copper sheet do you use?

[@mariuszjod7861]

great video tutorial thx for your job

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks!

[@msee383]

More please

A K A!! Excellent and fun video as usual! :)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

But I want to see some videos from you!!! :(

[@guillermocruz2440]

I know I’m late to the party but I found about that by “cooking” a soda can you can make the aluminum pretty malleable

[@quantumplastic]

Thanks for sharing ;)

[@WAVP371]

That's cool bro'!!! I find metal working to be a little intimidating... I wouldn't even attempt it unless I had everything I needed to do it...

[@uuffzz]

It shouldn't really, look at more as an make able thing that everyone can do, in the end its really that simple if you think more basic. Oh and forgot about needing everything to do it when you enter a hobby you mostly buy tons of stuff, I did too and also bought stuff that I didn't really use. Just try it 👍

[@Deceter]

Your voice sounds funny in this.

[@eviethesillybilly7134]

Hi , love your blogs . Quick question what is the depth of copper you use ? I’m guessing 0.3 mm but I’m new to this . I work on RC tanks so scale is 1/16 . John 🙏🏻

[@eternalASV120]

oh yeah, scratchbuild moar please Started to assemble Italeri Porsche Tiger aka vk4501 (P) recently, man the only thing they made right is proportions of tank itself, whole engine section is completely wrong. So there's some work for scraper knife (0_0 ) Love your videos, entertaining and informative)) (upd) Forgot to mention that aluminium cans is slightly difficult to solder, so you might have to use special soldering flux for aluminium. And to make your part more flexible (if it just so small and dont want to bend) heat it up a bit.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

VK4501 from Italeri was my 3rd tank model! I was about 12 or 13 back then lol. I would never solder soda cans or actually use them as a modelling material. I used them in the past though. I just mentioned them because people often use them. I just find copper better in every aspect. And it's probably cheaper than soda cans. 100x30 cm of copper for 9$ on ebay. And yes exactly, heat it up to make it softer!

[@scalede4371]

Pls show us bullet holes in PE parts

[@AtlisWerks]

D r i l l

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

BANG BANG BANG!

[@brittonshinn9939]

What thickness of copper sheet do you recommend for scratch building metal parts?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I think mine is 0,1 mm. I've bought 0,3mm brass sheet in the past but never used it because it's impossible to cut. The thinner, the better.

[@gsh319]

Thats some fine-ass work my friend. Love the minuture bending brake... Is it home shopped or bought?

[@michaljurzysta]

Awesome, just one tiny request - any chance you could show what solder you use and how much of the solder you put on? I tried soldering on two occasions and I wasn't happy with the result at all. Thank you for yet another quality upload!

[@mistrimeat]

Michal Jurzysta use silver bearing solder with liquid flux.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I'm using a soldering wire (?) that came with the soldering iron. It's a cheapo tool from Lidl (13€). I think any type of solder will work for this. And you should have very little amount on the tip, if you get a noticeable blob of solder, it's too much.

[@Paveu]

are you still using fireclay tile as soldering board? if yes what is the thickness? 2cm or more?

[@charlesstevenson5141]

So what is the thickness of the sheet? I like working brass but it gets to tough to use when the folds are super small. This looks doable and not overly soft.

[@danielp946]

great stuff :D

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks!

[@carlosgomez5818]

There´s not video of that Nagmachon? or pictures for reference? thanks!

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you ,

[@Ndeasington]

Does your soldering iron automatically release solder? What make an model is it please? Great videos. Newly subscribed

[@michaelm.1244]

Just plain awesomeness! Could you tell me what kind of Cyanoglue "Debonder" you are using? This seams to be interesting and I never heard of it.. ;)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks! The debonder is called Dousek. It's a locally made product from Czech Republic.

[@johnnuss5955]

What gauge is the best for copper sheet or does it depend on the model size right? I’m building a 1/35 scale panzer iv Ausf H.

[@thekebabremover2830]

You:Use Cooper sheet, 'cuz it's easy to bend. Me:*uses 1mm thick aluminium sheet*

[@c3l3t4on]

Awesome Work! How thin is the copper sheet you used in video?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks, 0,2 mm

[@angrykiwi6360]

Yay finally

[@AdamMann3D]

Soldering terrifies me. I have Wilders DVD. Always wanted to get good at that shit.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

You must become good just by owning that DVD

[@TowMan127]

👏👏👏👏

[@AngrySurfRider]

What paint are yoy using to make nice bluish color of bullet proof glass on turet?

[@michaeltolanojr3024]

Hey I was wondering what size copper wire do you use. I was planning to make grab handels for a 1/35 build

[@tehOGRE]

Whats the model at 22seconds? Or whos?

[@Chris-ug1hr]

@nightshift what is the soldering flux that you're using? I've seen the W logo before but can't remember the company. Also, is the fluid an all in one solder and flux? Your vid makes it look like just apply and heat technique. Thanks, got a sub out of me!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks! It's from Wilder. You just brush it on the part and touch it with hot soldering iron with a bit of solder on the tip. It will flow nicely along the entire joint.

[@locomotivebreath9364]

how powerful of a soldering iron do i need?

[@michalgajdos7575]

Pekne. Mimochodom Slovensko je stredna europa,vychodna susedi s aziou.😁

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Ale úrovňou je to tu stále jak za Sajuzu, takže v tomto smere sme stále východná Európa :D

[@TomasSysel]

@@NightShiftScaleModels Jeden by povedal, že sme už skoro ako v Bielorusku. Kapitánov mokrý sen :) inak video je super

[@user-rw6pf4jb1d]

👍

[@danielp946]

I Will bring more polish community into your channel , I hope you will not loose passion to make new videos for us and channel will grow !!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Lol thanks Daniel! Did you share it on some Polish forums?

[@danielp946]

@@NightShiftScaleModels on all FB PL groups i know

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Nice! Thank you!

[@haruharu0w0]

Is there any guide for using cans for cheaper build?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

It's the same process, aluminium just can't be soldered. Use superglue instead. On the other hand 100x30 cm roll of copper costs like 9$ on ebay, so it's not that expensive.

[@jippevanderlinden2020]

What is the thickness of the copper sheet? I just bought a piece of copper, but it is quite thick.

[@paulinoserrano4]

That is a very good question, the thickness of the copper sheep? PLEASE.

[@gustavodealba2459]

.2mm

[@sepp1781]

How thick is that Sheet?0,1mm?

[@twig4661]

lost it at 1:06

[@billhays9339]

what thickness or gauge is the copper sheet?

[@ChoctawFlute]

What thickness is the copper sheet he is using?

[@gustavodealba2459]

.2mm

[@claudebrisson5577]

What gage should I use?

[@shadow200sx]

Hi, what thickness copper do you use for 1:72 tanks?

[@jyrkimaansiirrotoy1836]

0.05mm

[@nickwilliams4562]

please can you say what thickness copper you use. Regards Nick

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

0,2 mm :)

[@AtlisWerks]

5 minutes. I am disappoint. 😀

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Those 5 minutes took more than a week to produce! I don't know what's worse, this or 1/35 photoetched German tool clamps from Aber.

[@AtlisWerks]

@@NightShiftScaleModels move the sanding stick slower or something. 😀

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

k den, next time I'll treat you to a 15-minute long ASMR sanding stick video, all with sanding sounds and heavy mouth breathing

[@AtlisWerks]

@@NightShiftScaleModels f*ing awesome. 😀