Photo Etch Belt Buckles

[Tom Geiger]

I thought I'd do this little bit, since nobody actually uses PE Belt Buckles the way Model Car Garage intended.  The sets I have expect you to use their back piece and go through a series of complex bends.   As such I see people just using the fronts, and without any thickness they look like potato chips on the finished models. I cringe whenever I see that!   So here's what I do..

 

To add some thickness to the buckles, I take a piece of Evergreen, and glue them down.  I don't know what size piece I used here since it came from their "Odds and Ends" Pack but it's not critical.  Just look for something that approximates scale thickness.  It doesn't have to be only as wide as the buckle, as shown here, you can cut three edges once glue is dry.  The only important part is to line up an edge to the buckle loop edge since you cannot cut that without damaging those fine bits.

To separate them, just line your exacto blade up against the edge and press! You should get a clean cut.

Once cut, paint the white edges (no need to paint the back side) with silver. I use a silver Sharpie.  Let it dry.

You can buy 1/8" wide ribbon on eBay. I bought a  few rolls, one gray, one black and one white.  That's a lifetime supply for a few bucks a roll. The white one can be colored easy with Sharpies, as I've done here with a red Sharpie.

Once installed, your belt buckles will have the proper depth to them.  Some folks like to do rigid belts, I give mine the used and just laid down look. I think it's more realistic.  This is the Valiant Speedster interior from the Fireball 500.  There wasn't a lot of detail here, so the belts and door handles add some interest. Door handles are nothing more than half a staple.

I hope this helps!  

[Can-Con]

Well , I wouldn't exactly say nobody Tom.?

[Tom Geiger]

Cool! 

[Ironman63]

Thanks for the tutorial.  I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge that is here and is willingly shared to help the less experienced modelers(me included).

[R. Thorne]

Great, common sense tutorial  and much appreciated.  Thank you.