Bstarr3 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 So, what are the little bits of kit that you can't do without? Something you use every time you go to the bench, or a very specialized tool that you couldn't do a certain job without? Something you bought from a retailer in Azerbaijan on a sketchy website, something you repurposed from the hardware store, or something you made yourself. For me, aside from the obvious ones, are my Xuron photo etch scissors, glue looper, and my magnifying lamp. Two little things I use constantly are the styrofoam block that my air compressor came in - great for holding drying parts - and a pack of wooden clothespins from the dollar store. A little poster tack on those guys and they're a great stand for painting small parts Mods, if you don't mind I posted this here instead of tools tips and techniques since it's more of a general discussion. Please move if you think necessary. Uncarina and Gazzas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimHepplestone Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Optivisor and toothpicks. Never needed the optivisor until I turned 45 Gazzas, LSP_K2 and Rick Griewski 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bstarr3 Posted February 15, 2018 Author Share Posted February 15, 2018 Yeah I have an optivisor too, but I use it a lot less since I got this big swing arm magnifying lamp V-LIGHT Full Spectrum Natural Daylight Effect Heavy-Duty Magnifier Lamp with Metal Clamp, Black (VS103B) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UV41UR2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf TimHepplestone and Gazzas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 For me, Dremel tool and X-Acto knives. Gazzas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tnarg Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Full on Stereo Microscope is the only way to see the details anymore. Got a surplus one and it is a huge help. My eyes are facing that age where it is difficult to see what I want to build. Oh well, I am still here and having fun. Tnarg LSP_K2 and Gazzas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssculptor Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I am a sculptor who has been making models since 1942. My most important tools are ALL OF THEM. No discrimination on my part, I love 'em all. I need them all. Now that things are settling down I can afford to buy the few minor tools I am missing, like an air compressor like the really big one found in an automobile repair shop. Also a MIG and later a TIG welder unit (I already have a 250/300 amp electric arc welder). I have a machine lathe but I can see a vertical milling machine. Oh yes, I can use 3D additive machine. A 3D scanner would be a fine addition to my shop, In other words all tools are necessary to me. Back in the 1960's I knew that I could happily live in machine shop. Just convert one room to living quarters and move in. But It would be difficult to get a woman to live with me in such a heaven so I had better back off a bit and find a woman who would live with a sculptor. I needed children also. Well, right now I have a lot of sculpture to make, and some models to make just for relaxation (a man gotta have a hobby). My wife is the important part of my life so she will always have a 50% say what I get so I will just concentrate on making sculpture for a while. Who knows, maybe by devoting 80% of my time to sculpture and showing it on various venues I will be able to sell more art and finance a bigger workshop. We shall see. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 My chair. Gazzas, MikeMaben and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 My chair. Thanks for the RoFL! I need everything on and off my bench. I'm just not skilled enough to do without anything. Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Airfixer Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 My Iwata CM-C and HP-C Plus airbrushes...my compressor...my JLC razor saw...my optivisor...sanding sticks...Magic Sculpt epoxy clay... And, most importantly, decent workplace lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Man Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 My Brightech magnifying lamp. It's LED and super bright. Even if I'm not using the magnifying glass, the lamp is always on. CANicoll and Rick Griewski 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Tweezers (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B012X2ZNOA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), magnifying lamp, sanding sticks, jewelers needle files, sharpened toothpicks, Tamiya sprue cutters, Xuron photoetch cutters, small drill set, pin vise, scribing tools... Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 (edited) Tamiya sanding sponge, and my optivizor. Edited February 15, 2018 by Gerhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Without any question whatsoever, my optivisor. Couldn't manage a thing without it. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Griewski Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I am with Gaz on this one. I need a lot of tool support. There are a couple however that stand out. My bench top soldering ventilator (carbon filter) pulls the Ca fumes away from my face. The fiberglass scratch tool removes heavy paint. I also rediscovered the ole drafting ink pen. For younger folks this is the adjustable pincer looking thing used with India ink. This thing holds a drop using the surface tension of the liquid drop. It's perfect for dispensing thin liquid cement. I just fixed a panel lines fiasco yesterday using it with thinned primer to fill in trenches. Adjust the width of the point to match the line and capillary does the rest. I avoided CA glue in this case. Repeat until stupid modeling error is gone. Perfect for those pesky imaginary panel lines too with almost no collateral damage. So when Jennings says, 'fill in those P-51 panel lines' you can salute him and get to it. Rick Fooesboy and BiggTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_S Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I find myself using this often these days... Rick Griewski and BiggTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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