Tools and Techniques When you start building you have very few tools. (I had a very large file
and a pair of nail clippers) As you build more and more you start to
purchase tools to make the job easier. After a while you have quite a
collection
Below are some of the tool that I use. Most are obvious while others
are not. Eventually all of the headings will be filled out
TOOLS I USE ALL THE TIME
1. Side cutters 2. Files 3. Paint mixer 4. Syrofoam 5. Hemostats & tweezers 6. Putty THE ONCE IN A WHILE FILE
1. Flexi-files 2. Automotive body filler Return to Home Page http://www.interlog.com/~ask Send comments, suggestions etc. to ask@interlog.com
It is surprising how much a difference good side cutters make. I went through
quite a few cheaper ones before I bought one of the better (expensive) ones.
What convinced me was when I borrowed a friends, what a difference. I now
use my other cutters for large sprues and cutting wire.
All those little files with different shapes and different roughness' do
make a certain jobs easier. One set from the hobby store should last a
lifetime. A parts store near me has these small files for a very cheap
price so I have quite a few in my tool box. I use a wire brush to keep
the teeth clean. You can get these from a tool store relatively cheaply.
Saw this in the hobby store and laughed at it. Who needs this when I can
shake the bottle or use a stick. However after buying it (I
don't remember why I bought it) I was surprised at how useful and quick it is.
The mixing tip works excellently and I highly recommend it to anyone.
A couple of my modelling friends have bought one and are also very pleased.
It is especially good for the metal paints since these tend to separate
easily. I have found this can bring back paints I thought were gone.
To clean the mixer I just stick the tip into a jar of laquer thinner and
run it for a couple of seconds.
Miracle drug? No but this stuff has many uses. I am not talking about the
white stuff that falls apart. The pink or blue higher density stuff is very
useful. I use it mostly as a paint stand. It can be cut into any shape or size
I need or I can stick coat hanger wire in it to hold items I can not tape
down (car bodies).
Tweezers I don't use a lot. The magazines say to use them to position
small parts and for putting decals on. I find with the tweezers I don't
have the fine control I need for positioning parts. The tweezers I have
are the self closing ones. This way I can hold the small part with one
hand without worrying about squeezing the tzeewers. 90% of the time
I use my fingers for small parts and a brush for placing and
moving decals.
Hemostats are link long clamps that can lock closed. Great for holding
parts for painting. I find these one of the most used items in my tool box.
A supply store near me has these cheap. I've seen plastic ones but the
stainless steel ones are the best. They come in various sizes and I have
about 10 of these things.
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7. Polishing Compounds/ kits
8. Glues
9. Exacto-Knives
10. Dremel Tool
11. Pin Vice
12. Airbrush
13. Tool box
14. Right angle
15. Eye dropper
16. Food dryer
Bought a set of these on the recommendation of a friend. I hardly use them
but they are good for sanding curves sections. Would I buy them now? I don't
think so.
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3. Profile maker
What is this you say?
4. Dental tools
5. Magnifying glasses
6. Solder
7. Q-tips
8. Vice
9. Chaulking compound
10. Polyfill
11. Lathe
12. Drill press