Non standard bits in your tool box

[snapper]

So we all probably have most of the standard bits like files, hobby knife, snips ect. in our modelling tool box. But have you got any thing extra in your box that you find useful.

 

I saw a video with a guy using a toothpick to make sure that two holes line up.

I have a small locking pliers that makes for a good clamp when you put some rubber over the ends.

Some high percentage isopropyl alcohol for cleaning (be careful of the fumes)

 

Anybody else got some more?

[RedRich]

Snapper I use adhesive or strong double sided tape to put all the different grades of wet and dry on ice lolly sticks. You get loads for your money, a nice little file like tool, and I have an indispensable amount that will last me a modelling lifetime. Simple and easy to make and they are great tool's. This one has definitely seen better days.

 

 

 

Rich,

[irishthump]

Snapper I use adhesive or strong double sided tape to put all the different grades of wet and dry on ice lolly sticks. You get loads for your money, a nice little file like tool, and I have an indispensable amount that will last me a modelling lifetime. Simple and easy to make and they are great tool's. This one has definitely seen better days.

 

 

I buy cheap emery boards (the ones for doing your nails!) from the local Euro shop. The get about 30 in various sizes and grades for 2 Euro.

[Glenderg]

01 - Paintin and decorating shops have sandpaper sponges in a variety of grades, cut into 1inch squares are great for sanding curved roof profiles and tricky curves.

02 - hypodermic needles - great for applying glues,, plastic magic and poly cement.

03 - cocktail sticks - multiple uses, great for adjusting small items.

04 - solid aluminium calipers - lock to a size, great for scribing opes.

05 - rusty rulers from car boot sales. If they're still on the go they're good.

06 - bottle opener - bloody useless for modelling, excellent for opening a well earned beer.

[WRENNEIRE]

Dont know what it is or where it came from but its the best yoke I ever had to clean metal wheels

Brass wire or something similar

 

[snapper]

Dont know what it is or where it came from but its the best yoke I ever had to clean metal wheels

Brass wire or something similar

 

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt205/WRENNEIRE/P1030001.jpg

 

Kind of looks like the tip of a steam cleaner.

[snapper]

I forgot about this one. Its meant to clean the tip of a oxy acetylene welder. It has some small rounded files ranging from 0.4mm to 3mm

 

[Train model]

That's my tooth brush dave

[Broithe]

Dont know what it is or where it came from but its the best yoke I ever had to clean metal wheels

Brass wire or something similar

 

I presume that we've all seen the Peco wheel cleaner that, with the addition of two croc clips, can clean the wheels, whilst they are rotating, by means of a scraper and a wire brush that are powered from the track?

[heirflick]

tried to remove this from jamesons distillery for those days when you DONT want to use the toolbox!.....couldnt shift the bloody thing though:((

 

[Weshty]

Wet 'n'dry finegrain sandpaper block (firm sponge interior). Nice even finish and does the job WELL.

[Guest hidden-agenda]

Steel ruler from Tesco they cost about £1.00.

[Broithe]

Garryson 'Garryflex' abrasive-filled rubber blocks.

 

 

 

Similar to track rubbers, of course, but much larger and in various, colour-coded, grades and capable of producing a beautiful, almost polished, finish. I've had mine for over thirty years and I doubt they're even 10% worn yet..

 

Hard to find, but well worth looking for.

[Guest hidden-agenda]

http://www.diytools.co.uk/garryson-garryflex-abrasive-block-medium-120-grit.html?utm_source=Google-Product-Search&utm_medium=Organic-Feed&utm_campaign=Google-Product-Search

[Weshty]

"Garryflex?" Sounds like a rip off of "Stretch Armstrong";)

[Broithe]

"Garryflex?" Sounds like a rip off of "Stretch Armstrong";)

 

Good stuff, though - well worth getting the full set, although the medium (grey) gets the most use.

 

I'm also a fan of the Swann-Morton Retractaway scalpel.

 

 

 

The blades stay sharp longer, as they're not jangling about - and you don't find out how sharp they are when rooting in the toolbox..!

 

You can fit most of the blades in, though the 'hook' one won't fit, and then etch the shape on the handle so that you can find the right one easily.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Broithe

[Broithe]

Also worth looking out for are Maun parallel-action pliers.

 

 

 

Much better for holding items and squeezing things together, as the jaws stay parallel all the time.

 

Some come with a very efficient side-cutter facility, as shown.

[MOGUL]

Eye-liner and bronzer..

 

Eye-liner for roofs/exhaust marks and general grime and bronzer for rust powder or track dirt on a loco or wagon

[Broithe]

Eye-liner and bronzer..

 

Eye-liner for roofs/exhaust marks and general grime and bronzer for rust powder or track dirt on a loco or wagon

 

Whilst you're rooting in her handbag, you could pinch a few of her emery boards as well..

 

[heirflick]

Whilst you're rooting in her handbag, you could pinch a few of her emery boards as well..

]

 

tried that and was caught...and got this instead of the boards!

[snapper]

Small bit of velcro glued to the end of a lolly pop stick, you can then easy attach small pieces of sand paper that comes with a velcro backing and usually available in plenty different grades.

 

 

 

[Broithe]

Now that is a good idea! I'll be doing that.

 

I have a set of these..

 

..they're spring loaded, so that the belt can be moved round as it wears - and colour coded so you find the right grit more easily - if you can remember which colour it is..

[heirflick]

where did you get those broithe?

[Broithe]

where did you get those broithe?

I'm not sure, I may have picked them up at a fair. I thought Expo - http://www.expotools.com/ - might have been the source, but I can't find them there - Hobby's do sell them, though - http://hobby.uk.com/tools/sanding-abrasive-tools/sanding-stick-belts.html ..

[heirflick]

cool! i cursed more times trying to sand down awkward areas on models with a folded down piece of sandpaper - frustrating to say the least. very useful tips from you and snapper=D

[Broithe]

Available via Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Sanding-Stick-Sticks-Finishing-Kit/dp/B0039ZCQAK/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

 

Widely available in USA as Excel Sanding Sticks..

 

They are pointed at one end and rounded at the other, with a flat section in between - covers most requirements.

[WRENNEIRE]

pointed at one end and rounded at the other, with a flat section in between .

 

I know her........................

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

pointed at one end and rounded at the other, with a flat section in between .

 

I know her........................

 

 

 

=))=))

[snapper]

Good stuff, though - well worth getting the full set, although the medium (grey) gets the most use.

 

I'm also a fan of the Swann-Morton Retractaway scalpel.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1804[/ATTACH]

 

The blades stay sharp longer, as they're not jangling about - and you don't find out how sharp they are when rooting in the toolbox..!

 

You can fit most of the blades in, though the 'hook' one won't fit, and then etch the shape on the handle so that you can find the right one easily.

 

I bought one of these on ebay, the handle is very sturdy but I think the key to this is the blades. They seem to be much better and sharper than anything I have ever gotten in a model shop. Not bad for € 10 for a handle and ten blades

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/310392956414?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/310363218803?var=610046047936&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

[Broithe]

I bought one of these on ebay, the handle is very sturdy but I think the key to this is the blades. They seem to be much better and sharper than anything I have ever gotten in a model shop. Not bad for € 10 for a handle and ten blades

They are seriously sharp - the risk of a dramatic cut should not be underestimated - it's worth developing the habit of retracting the blade during even the shortest period out of use.

 

A few plasters kept in the toolbox might get used over time....

 

Also, if you ever do manage to snap a blade, you'll find that they fly off at some speed. I've only ever done it once, but it made me glad to be wearing glasses.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

I use these

 

@ Broithe I don't bother with plasters when I cut myself and believe me with scalpels you can do yourself some damage. I find the best thing for cuts is super glue

 

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWANN-MORTON-No-3-STAINLESS-STEEL-SCALPEL-HANDLE-Fits-Blade-Nos-6-16-/221104735865?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Medical_Equipment_Instruments_ET&hash=item337ade8679#ht_1837wt_1037

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swann-Morton-Non-Sterile-Blue-Box-Scalpel-Blades-/280747234069?pt=UK_Papercraft_Tools_Accessories_2&var=&hash=item415dd6d315#ht_698wt_1037

[Blaine]

The sharper the blade the safer it is - requires less effort to cut materials (so your not applying too much pressure and it jumps) and if you do manage to cut yourself it will be a cleaner cut, not gouged and less chance of infection

[Broithe]

I use these

 

@ Broithe I don't bother with plasters when I cut myself and believe me with scalpels you can do yourself some damage. I find the best thing for cuts is super glue

 

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWANN-MORTON-No-3-STAINLESS-STEEL-SCALPEL-HANDLE-Fits-Blade-Nos-6-16-/221104735865?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Medical_Equipment_Instruments_ET&hash=item337ade8679#ht_1837wt_1037

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swann-Morton-Non-Sterile-Blue-Box-Scalpel-Blades-/280747234069?pt=UK_Papercraft_Tools_Accessories_2&var=&hash=item415dd6d315#ht_698wt_1037

The traditional handles are great, especially if you're using them at home, but, if they're going to get rattled round in a travelling toolbox, then the retractable ones will stay sharp much longer - and it's a lot safer rummaging round if the blades aren't exposed.

 

If you speak nicely to a nurse, they might be persuaded to let you have some stitch cutters - they can be useful in awkward places.

 

 

 

There is also the Veritas scalpel handle, which uses a collet arrangement that will take most of the various blade fittings. The cap in the handle has a strong magnet and will hold around six blades of various shapes.

 

Edited September 10, 2012 by Broithe

[RedRich]

The sharper the blade the safer it is - requires less effort to cut materials (so your not applying too much pressure and it jumps) and if you do manage to cut yourself it will be a cleaner cut, not gouged and less chance of infection

 

Some very good advice and I have the scars to prove it.

 

Rich,

[RedRich]

The traditional handles are great, especially if you're using them at home, but, if they're going to get rattled round in a travelling toolbox, then the retractable ones will stay sharp much longer - and it's a lot safer rummaging round if the blades aren't exposed.

 

If you speak nicely to a nurse, they might be persuaded to let you have some stitch cutters - they can be useful in awkward places.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2577[/ATTACH]

 

There is also the Veritas scalpel handle, which uses a collet arrangement that will take most of the various blade fittings. The cap in the handle has a strong magnet and will hold around six blades of various shapes.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2578[/ATTACH]

 

Thanks for that Jim as it has answered some questions for me.

 

Rich,