I plan to scratchbuild quite a few structures and am already faving the problem of how to glue to pieces of wood (or plastic) at a pderfect 90 degree (or 45, 30, etc) angle. I have seen the jig that is available at micro mark but it seems somewhat limited in its application. I feel ceretain that some of the many experience modelers out there have come up with some very clever ways to aid in the gluing of the different pieces of scratchbuild structures. I will be very grateful for all shared experiences.
Thanks
wdcrvr
I have a couple of small machinist squares and a pair of 1-2-3 blocks (used in machine shops as well). They are precision ground steel blocks 1" x 2" x 3" and have a lot of holes drilled and tapped through them. You can get inexpensive ones made in China (where else?) for about $10. I also have a sheet of formica and a sheet of nylon that make great work surfaces as they are smooth, flat and the nylon doesn't bond with the plastic solvent cements. I also have a small v-block that I stand on end as it has 90 degree v-cuts. Check out Harbor Freight or other importers of cheap tools. Just my suggestions as they work for me.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Small blocks made of 1x2 lumber will give you a sufficiently square shape for structures. Rubber bands are good for holding things together. I have a small set of clamps that I got for a couple of dollars at a train show for holding parts together while the glue sets.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I'll second the 1-2-3 blocks. I have six and probably need a few more. They hold things firmly in place and can be used on a hard surface to keep things perfectly straight vertically and horizontally. I work on a sheet of glass with the drawing underneath the the glass and the gluing/assembly on top. I would also suggest a straight edge or two. I will often tape the straight edge down and then use the 123 blocks to build a square structure using the ruler as a guide.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I have a couple of those "corner clamps" from Micro-Mark and found them too fiddly and difficult to use. Machinists or welders magnets and 1-2-3 blocks are much easier to use. I have the Micro-Mark Magnetic Gluing Jig, catalog number 60304, and have found it to be more useful than the corner clamps.
Hello I use a machined block and some small magnets. Hope this helps Frank
Hope this helps Frank
I too have the Micro Mark magnetic gluing jig. I have found it useful, but have added some more small magnets that I picked up at the local hardware store. Sometimes I found the ones that came with it too strong when I was trying to move things delicately. I also have some 6" spreader/clamps from Harbor Freight that help keep things tightly together. Think I paid $.99 when they were on sale. You can get better ones, but for hobby use, these seem sufficient.
Good luck,
Richard
I forgot to mention that you can get a bag full of 'hair clips' at Hobby Lobby for about $2-$3 (with coupon) and they make great mini clamps. You can bend the ends to different angles for special situations. I use these more than any other clamp and they don't exert too much pressure on delicate parts.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/nickel-1-3/4-alligator-hair-clips-406793/
Hi wdcrvr,
I found the Rite-way magnetic clamps from Micromark to be very useful. They are notched at the inside corner point, to allow gluing to be done on the joint. On styrene models, I also glue square Lego blocks as reinforcement. The corners on these Lego blocks are supposed to be perfectly square.
Eric
A must have for any measuring scratch-building: X-ACTO Precision Edge Stainless Steel Square, Part#7726. Drafting board, Aluminum T-square. Most all drafting equipment is useful for scratch building, afterall that is what a structural designer's use in their mock-ups. I have a piece of shatter proof glass on my Drafting board, ultra flat, for precision cuts and measurements. Also assembly. I do a lot of scratching and bashing. Spent four years in Machine Design and every instrument I had, I use for scratch building.
Have Fun!
Frank
Alligator clips from Radio Shack make nice small clamps. Square blocks of wood, mounted in the corners and good. Small C clamps from hardware stores or yard sales. A tri square or combination square, very useful for making square cuts or checking assembled structures for square before the glue dries hard. I have a small 6 inch combination square that is very useful.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
dstarrAlligator clips from Radio Shack make nice small clamps.
A Jorgenson "Pony" corner clamp is also an extra set of helping "hands". I have one mounted (two wood screws) on a piece of MDF board (thicker is better) which I use for intial corner glue-ups of structure plastic panels. You can use this clamp without fixing it to a base, as I have- Harbor Freight sells cheaper ones, Home Depot sells the originals for a bit more. Easy to align the panels and re-align them, if needed, as you do the glue-up.
Cedarwoodron
I also use and recommend the magnetic gluing jig from MicroMark (item #60304 in their catalog). I use it frequently in construction of kits and scratchbuilding projects. Mine is on the workbench now to help insure "flat and square" in the assembly of a Westerfield hopper car kit. The only disadvantage of this magnetic jig is that it is about 10" square, so longer pieces don't fit. There have been some garden railroad (1:20.3) structure projects where the parts exceeded that size. It is very durable, so should be an investiment that will work for your entire modeling career.
Bill
You could try some simple LEGO blocks which will lock into exact 90 degree corners and allow for all sorts of tight and unusual corners with the different shapes available. Those little plastic spring clamps should be able to get around or over any sheet material and clamp onto the blocks.
Hope this helps
Regards from Australia
Trevor www.xdford.digitalzones.com for your interest
PS I just read through the post and sorry PAV about repeating the LEGO hint... another senior moment on my behalf...
Regards, Trevor
No worries Trevor. The LEGO blocks in corners, bears repeating and you added the bit about using spring clamps with it. I haven't done that, but that's a good idea. I was just using the blocks as reinforcement.
As far as 'senior moments', I've certainly had my share.