Etch assembly Jig or ‘Orion Jig’
The Orion Jig (so named because of the pattern of holes it amused me to provide for the half peg clamps) is a collection of guides and clamping devices I have found convenient to have in one place when building etched kits and for general modelling. It would be easy to make, but you may prefer to obtain one from me directly.
The half clothes pegs I use as cleats give an idea of size.
£35 + £5 p/p
It has been pointed out to me that I ought to offer this in right or left handed versions. OF COURSE ! (The ones in the illustrations are my right handed versions.) Please specify LH or RH when you order.
Below is a series of images showing how it can be used :-
Two flat components (they could be the side and end of a vehicle) being held at right angles along their edges for soldering together. (The aluminium hairgrip is not included in the package.) |
The half peg clamps can hold things very delicately or as firmly as you require. These pieces are set up and adjusted to make a right angled joint. Doing up the clamp does not impart any twisting moment to the parts being held and is simply released by leaning on the outer end. |
The chassis clamp being used to assemble the five layers of etch for the solebar, axleboxes and springs in a 2mm scale kit. Everything is held conveniently in the horizontal plane. |
The groove underneath with the base below protects the side of the chassis not being worked on |
A difficult job made easy: the elastic clamping of the half peg cleat means the roof can be adjusted easily and precisely when fitting to the body. |
A complex clamping operation: the upper floor of a 2mm scale signal box is being held inverted to allow the foot-way brackets to be soldered in place. |