Question about Odd Tools

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

I've bought a box of bits, in a case that looks like a little drill case. [slanted top, like 'real' drice bit cases.]

I have one of those--how does yours fit? I find the bits slide around in mine.

[optimusprime14]

I'll echo kturock here. the big side of the GW ones isn't much larger than the small side but it has been large enough for what I needed it for. Largest bit I have had in there has been 1/8". I found that I had to unscrew the chuck and force the bit into the retainer then place the chuck over the top of the bit, but it did hold.

[kturock]

I've bought a box of bits, in a case that looks like a little drill case. [slanted top, like 'real' drice bit cases.]

I have one of those--how does yours fit? I find the bits slide around in mine.

Mine fits tight. There are little slots in it; just like on a full-size drill bits box.

[JohnBlackhawk]

Yea i have been honestly leaning toward this pin vise here http://xacto.com/products/cutting-solut ... e-Set.aspx
I mean 3 bits and a guard for the drill bit when it isn't in use? seems like a good deal for 12 bucks us.
The needle file set also looks like a good deal at its price i mean a good solid looking handle AND 5 different files?

[MagickalMemories]

Once you have the hand control for it, switch to a dremel. All the work in a 10th of the time.
With exception of the smallest stuff, I exclusively use my dremels for pinning (especially metal models).

Eric

[JohnBlackhawk]

Good advice magickal, but i think im a long ways off from a dremel. Heck i still need to practice painting.

[spiralingcadaver]

Man, I do a lot of work with tools, but have never had the nerve to use a dremel with a pinning bit. Glad most minis are resin or plastic, these days.

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

Yea i have been honestly leaning toward this pin vise here http://xacto.com/products/cutting-solut ... e-Set.aspx

I don't see a palm rest on that model--you'll find it very fatiguing without.

pin_vise_2.jpg

[kturock]

Yea i have been honestly leaning toward this pin vise here http://xacto.com/products/cutting-solut ... e-Set.aspx

I don't see a palm rest on that model--you'll find it very fatiguing without.

pin_vise_2.jpg

This is like I have and it is. That and the weight are the things I like about theGW model. The GW price is the counter. The LGS has sales of 20% off. I'll buy 1 from them then.

[MagickalMemories]

Man, I do a lot of work with tools, but have never had the nerve to use a dremel with a pinning bit. Glad most minis are resin or plastic, these days.

It's easy. I have a process.
I use a round file to start the indentation. This gives me the most control and is easiest to fix any screw ups. I use a hand drill to give it a LITTLE indentation, to be sure the fast moving dremel bit doesn't "jump" (learned THAT trick the hard way). Then, I move to the dremel. All in all, it takes about a third to half the time that drilling metal with a hand drill does (I sink my pins DEEP, unlike some modelers). There are a couple extra steps, but I find it to be worth it.

Eric

[JohnBlackhawk]

Hmm will have to make a note of that about the dremel tool.
@MagickalMemories good point about the pin vise thats a good reason not to get a double ended pin vise. Though im still contemplating those xacto drill bits.

[jul]

you can build your own wet palette fro cheap using scott-towels and cooking parafilm paper.
just soak the Scott-Towel, put in a plate and put the parafilm on top of it.
That's it.

otherwise it's 20$ in any craft stores (Sta-wet palette) the advantage of a real one is you can close it and store it in the fridge.

the Xacto drill bits are decent, but you'll soon enough realize that you need 2 size of bits, i buy them individually at hardware stores with the matching brass rod sizes.

on my list of tools to have:
-Good brushes, Kolinsky Red sables are the best (W&N serie 7 miniatures or Raphael 8404 are good) 10$-20$ online
-Brush soap to clean it efficiently, 2$ in craft stores
-A good primer, Tamiya or Mr Hobby are the best
-Good varnishes, Mr Hobby are the best
-Forceps, if you have a dentist friend, ask for his old ones (works for sculpting tools as well). i have Dumont #4 and #5, 30$ each new, free the moment one falls on the floor for what we use them in hobby, it doesn't need to be perfect...
-clamps, you can get them for cheap in electronic stores (10 for 3$), i mount them on bamboo skewers myself and saved a lot compared to the "hobby" version. also a dense styrofoam piece to stick your skewers on it for drying is nice to have.
-Dremel, again, you can get one for a decent price, i don't recommend the battery ones, but if you're on a budget, 20$-40$ and you have one (odd stores as walmart and the likes.)
-one of my recent findings: Mr Hobby paint cup (any metal cup will do) excellent for mixing and pigments, way easier to clean than plastic palette
- for the saw, dental or jewelry saw is good, most likely cheaper than the one GW sells you
- magnification glasses, while on the expensive side of things, can be useful
-i don't recommend scalpel as hobby knife as the blade will be extremely sharp but get dull extremely rapidly, also you you won't have the chance to discover how deep the blade can go into your fingers, trust me it's not fun...

Airbrush!
-Badger Patriot will do mostly everything for models painting
if you have the budget:
1 Patriot for the primer, base coat and varnish, 80$
1 Bagder Renegade Krome for the Job, 130$
the money you put in an airbrush is what you save in primer cans and time..

For the compressor:
-Badger TC 910 Aspire Pro is decent, 200$
in any case always go with a compressor with a tank and oil-free maintenance

in accessories:
-cleaning station
-cleaning tool kits
-plastic bottles
-regulator and moist trap if the compressor doesn't have one

-Also a lamp with day-light bulb, or any halogen day-light stands, you need anything between 60 and 100w.
- i use also a hair dryer to accelerate the drying time on paint
- Corks, the only to get them is to open loads of bottles...

i have probably more strange tools somewhere but for now it's what i think about

J.

[JohnBlackhawk]

@jul actually i do have the basic xacto knife set i got some time ago along with some extra #11 blades so i'm covered there. I also may track down that sext of needle files from xacto to, since it looks like a good deal.
Badger Patriot airbrush? any particular model you suggest? Because i was looking into airbrushes before and i was kinda leaning towards this one
http://www.testors.com/product/137223/8 ... Propellant. As for an air compressor that may actually be out of my budget for a while unless i can get something cheap from harbor freight.

[jul]

for the airbrush, the Aztek and to an extend the thing that GW sells is kind of crap. you're only buying a glorified can for an higher price...
you can get a Badger Patriot 105 with a medium tip and large cup for 70-100$, if i recall properly, it is sold also at Micheal's and they do have those nice 50% off coupons once in a while that works on airbrushes. for the compressor and while any industrial ones would work, anything capable of maintaining 10-20 psi is good. Smart Jet or Ninja Jet from Iawata are decent small compressors without a tank. (around 100$)

For needle files, check amazon, they have the best prices, brands are not necessary as there's probably only 1 or 2 manufacturers anyway. the cheap version is to glue sand papers on ice cream wooden sticks, it does the same job and you just replace the paper when needed... Tamiya does good fine sand paper, otherwise any hardware stores. useful size are 400, 1000 and 1200.

J

[kturock]

Airbrush and compressor at harbour freight, $80. Mini magnifier and a set of arms that end in alligator clips, $8. Old dental tools & pics, $1-3 each. Sometimes you can get a set for $3-5.