Tools for Craftsman Kits

[SpaceMouse]

This weekend I built my first "Craftsman-type Model. My second model overall.



I pretty much fumbled through it, and although it still came out okay, I couldn't help but think there should be tools that would make the process easier.

I've been to the Micro-Mark site. Are there specific tools you would recommend?

[cwclark]

for my small work, i always keep a hobby knife w/ spare blades, razor saw (W/ miter box), jeweler's files, fine grit sand paper, pin vise with a set of bits from #60 thru #80, small vises, alligator clips, sheet styrene plastic in a variety of thicknesses , plastic filler putty, fine artist brushes, plastic paints, a 1" bru***o clean off stuff, needle nose pliers, dikes, scrap wood to build jigs, small wire from .01 to .040 (for detailing)...an airbrush for painting, scissors, a dremel tool with various bits and cut off wheels, 2-56 screws, hobby glue, CA glue, levels, t- squares, an NMRA gauge, and a hobby scale ruler...chuck

[SpaceMouse]

Sorry, I made the assumption that some tools were obvious. I have all of the above except:

Mitre box and saw
plastic filler putty
small wire
2-56 screws
NMRA guage--which I've not located.

[simon1966]

Was this a wooden or plastic kit? Looks good Chip. The value of a sharp hobby knofe with extra blades can not be underestimated. Were there any particular parts of the construction that seemed difficult?

[SpaceMouse]

It was a wood-cardboard as are most of the kits I have.

The biggest difficulty was squaring the building and keeping it square while I measured and cut the roof joists. Another challenge was cutting the diagonal braces for the doors.

[cwclark]

I always cut pieces of styrene plastic as square as possible and glue them flu***o the inside wall corners of a structure...it will keep the corners true and straight where the walls meet while you do the roof part...also, always let the glue dry throughly before proceding to another glue job

[DSchmitt]

My most used tool are:

Single edge razor blade

Scale ruler (metal)

[simon1966]

I got one of the Micromark glueing jigs. It is a square metal tray with magnets. It allows you to secure a part in a corner at right angles as it drys. So far it has worked well for me. Styrene bracing as suggested above is a good idea also.

[IRONROOSTER]

The most important tool is a good light, the second is another light on the other side.

I think that as you get experience, you'll find favorite tools. The basics have been listed above. Some others that I use are bent nose tweezers, small anvil, small pliers with smooth jaws, and a Kadee pin adjustment pliers. I also keep a some cheap paint brushes and a tooth brush on hand for miscellaneous chores. I have a diet scale for weighting cars to NMRA recommendations. I also buy emery boards (in addition to very fine sand paper) for sanding. I have a Kadee coupler gauge. I find an OptiVisor to be very useful.

Sometimes I think my real hobby is collecting tools.[:D]

Enjoy
Paul

[ereimer]

for keeping stuff square , this...
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83044
or this...
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=60716
or the low-tech method...
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=10117

for cutting the diagonal braces...
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82439
or the low-tech method...
lots of practice with a sharp xacto knife [:D]

edit : almost for got to add .... the kit looks great !, who makes it ? also i've been building my 1st craftsman kit , which is also my 1st structure kit and also the 1st kit of any kind i've built for many years (used to do model cars and planes as a youth) . will attempt a photo when it's done

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'll bite. What kind of modeling tool is a dike? Are they just fancy snips like wire or sprue cutters. If not, what?

John
Austin, Texas

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer


edit : almost for got to add .... the kit looks great !, who makes it ?

This one is a California Models (Suydan). I have a stack of Suydan, Muir, and Campbell. The Muir and Campbell look to be a knotch above the Suydan. They are also more complex.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse
This one is a California Models (Suydan).

For further reference, the firm is Suydam.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JSoule

Okay, I'll bite. What kind of modeling tool is a dike? Are they just fancy snips like wire or sprue cutters. If not, what?

John
Austin, Texas

AKA Diagonal Cutters.

I used to wonder about the political correctness of the name of the tool until I realized it stood for diagonal cutters. These are the cutters that look somewhat similar to pliers that you see everywhere - nothing fancy.

[Anonymous]

For small tools have a look at www.harborfreight.com ,about 1/3 to1/4 the price of Micromark. Make friends with your dentist and ask him for his broken dental tools. Custom grind them as needs suggest.

I find a needle scribe and digital caliper very useful.

Also you need a flat surface to get things truly square and true. The cheap answer is a sheet of safety glass, available for a few dollars at any hardware store, about 12x18 inches works well for me.

You might also gin up a "light table" as well. Almost required if you do much scratch building using the plans as templates.

Randy