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REVIEW
Small Shop "The Bug" Hold & Fold
c5flies
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California, United States
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
Armorama: 2,938 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 - 07:36 AM UTC
James Bella takes a look at The Bug, a pint sized photo-etch workstation from The Small Shop.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 30, 2002
KitMaker: 2,605 posts
Armorama: 1,814 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 - 07:59 AM UTC
Great review James. This tool looks like a must have for me.
c5flies
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California, United States
Joined: October 21, 2007
KitMaker: 3,684 posts
Armorama: 2,938 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 - 08:05 AM UTC
Thanks Brent....and don't forget to use your IPMS discount
mj
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 16, 2002
KitMaker: 1,331 posts
Armorama: 569 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009 - 09:10 AM UTC
Great review, and totally agree, James. I have both the Bug and the Hold & Fold, and find myself reaching for the Bug far more often. And, unlike the Hold & Fold, which is set on a shelf in its box, the Bug sits out on my workspace, ready for action. A great little tool.

Cheers,
Mike

JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
Armorama: 2,447 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 11:51 AM UTC
How'd I miss this??? I could use this on every model I have.
GALILEO1
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Maryland, United States
Joined: April 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,794 posts
Armorama: 1,431 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 01:04 PM UTC
It's a great tool! It's my go to PE bender for 90% of my PE work. I don't even use the other two I have (4" and 8").

Rob
chumpo
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United States
Joined: August 30, 2010
KitMaker: 749 posts
Armorama: 521 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 01:17 PM UTC
It's very convenient , plain and simple .
PantherF
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Indiana, United States
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
Armorama: 5,960 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 10:50 PM UTC
This is a company worth plugging for, very nice and prompt too.

I have the next step up... the 4" Mk IV RTH Hold & Fold, SMS003


For someone who avoids LARGE PE parts, this one is perfect! Even for larger scale kits too. Never thought I would need one but it is my "go to" tool now.








Jeff
Hisham
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Al Qahirah, Egypt / لعربية
Joined: July 23, 2004
KitMaker: 6,856 posts
Armorama: 6,363 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 11:45 PM UTC
Thank you for this review, James.. and to all the feedback by the rest of the guys. I've been hesitant about buying one, but now I think I'll go ahead and order one

Hisham
SdAufKla
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Friday, July 18, 2014 - 12:53 AM UTC
I also do about 90+% of all my PE bending on this tool.

Most recently, I've done both of these not so little project using just "The Bug" for all of the bending and folding-

Voyager Churchill Mk. III Turret Stowage Box:



Aber Initial Tiger I Turret Side Stowage Box:



With some practice, familiarity, and thought, you can really do a lot with this small tool, and like several others have mentioned, its convenient size means that it can be kept very handy. It's as easy to grab and use a pair of pliers or other "old school" bending tools, yet, because it's a purpose designed PE bender, getting precise results is much easier.

Very highly recommended!
Ironclaw
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Washington, United States
Joined: May 20, 2016
KitMaker: 73 posts
Armorama: 58 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 02, 2016 - 09:31 PM UTC
I had this arrive yesterday and must admit that I can see my Tamyia hand bender being relegated to a secondary role.
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