Tricks of the trade

[Pat H]

Some kits include a working base to hold a model ship while it is being built.
Such bases can be used to keep paint and stain samples handy during a build so they can be instantly referred to without digging around the work area.

 

[Pat H]

Here's a tool that can be used for a variety of cases where evenly spaced points are needed, such as simulating deck or ceiling planking.



They are called 10-point dividers. (Even though there are actually eleven points.)
U.S. Navy acoustic operators used them in the days of paper sonar grams to figure out which squiggly lines were related to each other.
They are actually a navigation tool and can still be found on marine supply sites.



The stainless steel versions can be a bit pricey, but by shopping around you should be able to find them on-line for around the price of a U.S. paper portrait of Grant.
The ones I have are from Weems and Paeth, but the price has gone up considerably since I purchased them, (Tariffs?)

 

[AllanKP69]

This was just posted by member UBJS in a different topic. I thought it would be helpful in this topic as well.

 

[Davefx35]

After posting a picture on rounding axles a member had the idea of a thread with little "how-to" items or tricks of the trade that might be of interest for both kit and scratch builders.. Hope this is of interest for one and all to contribute their little tricks.
If this subject has already been started, please let me know, I looked and could not find anything.

First up
Rounding truck axles on cannon carriages. Too many times we are relegated to having axles that are not round. To round them by hand is tedious and not consistent but I came up with a little device some years ago that is simple to make and easy to use .

Take a small piece of brass or aluminum rod and drill a hole in one end that is the diameter that is needed. Typically the width of the trucks is the same as the thickness of carriage brackets and the axle diameter is about the same as well. Once the hole is drilled, make a couple cross cuts with a hack saw which will create cutting edges in the drilled hole.

The axles were not usually square so you will feel the cutter stop when it hits the shoulder which takes a second or less in time. It may take a little cleaning up of peelings. If they are square, a little care needs to be taken not to round too far down. Marking the cutter with ink or tape as an indicator is easy and effective.

Allan

View attachment 477053

 

[Davefx35]

Thanks for this tip!
Saved me a bunch of aggregation on my 1:48 Blandford gun carriages

 

[Corsair]

When we plank our models, for bending the planks many of us soak the plank. Well I wanted to come up with a way to be able to soak a pretty lengthy plank that didn't take up a lot a room and wouldn't use a lot of water but still large enough to be able to support a pretty good length of wood. I wanted something that would be upright rather than take a lot of space on the workbench or whatever surface and I found various graduated cylinders. They come in various sizes and you can get them in plastic so it eliminates the risk of broken glass and they are relatively inexpensive.

I picked up a couple of sizes. the 1000ml (the bigger of the two) is about 3" in diameter and just over 16" tall.
The 100 ml is 1.25" in diameter and just under 10" tall.
Its not a problem to get the wood out because the wood floats in the water so its going to be at the top.

Hope it helps someone.

 

[Namabiiru]

When we plank our models, for bending the planks many of us soak the plank. Well I wanted to come up with a way to be able to soak a pretty lengthy plank that didn't take up a lot a room and wouldn't use a lot of water but still large enough to be able to support a pretty good length of wood. I wanted something that would be upright rather than take a lot of space on the workbench or whatever surface and I found various graduated cylinders. They come in various sizes and you can get them in plastic so it eliminates the risk of broken glass and they are relatively inexpensive.
View attachment 571598
I picked up a couple of sizes. the 1000ml (the bigger of the two) is about 3" in diameter and just over 16" tall.
The 100 ml is 1.25" in diameter and just under 10" tall.
Its not a problem to get the wood out because the wood floats in the water so its going to be at the top.

Hope it helps someone.

I cut a piece of PVC pipe to be a little over 24” (longest length of planks I’ve encountered so far) and glued a cap to one end. I fill it up and clamp it upright to the side of the bench. The planks float so I can use it with shorter planks too. I have another cap to put on top to keep the planks submerged.

 

[AllanKP69]

I cut a piece of PVC pipe to be a little over 24” (longest length of planks I’ve encountered so far) and glued a cap to one end.

Same here. I have a couple shorties and a longer tube. I sometimes attach a cap to the open end (without glue) as I have been known to knock one over, spilling water on the work bench or floor.
Allan

 

[Neil_jo]

One of my best tools for small parts. And it saves my knees. Play tack on a 4' dowel.

 

[Namabiiru]

One of my best tools for small parts. And it saves my knees. Play tack on a 4' dowel.

View attachment 572534

Small parts and Cheerios…

 

[AllanKP69]

Great idea! It reminds of the mechanical pickers but yours looks to be much better for small parts and costs virtually nothing to make. Thanks for posting this.
Allan

 

[Rob444]

Just to add to the collection here. Under the heading of "never too many clamps" are the electric test probe clamps I have started using to put some weight on small lines or to hold them in position. They work quite well, are small and don't get in the way.


I modify clothes pins (AKA clothes pegs for our British mates) by "flipping" them over so the small end pinches together, This allows for more precise control and can also be used as a wedge when you need to push some pieces together.

 

[Rob444]

Instead of using a large bottle of PVA glue I put a smaller amount into a used paint container. It is less cumbersome. I usually apply the glue using a mall dental applicator which are very inexpensive. These applicators have a small "brush" on the end which can be removed easily if you wish. The small brush is also perfect for touch up painting of a small area.

 

[Rob444]

My favorite "power tool" is now a "Nail Drill" I picked up for about $12 on Amazon. It runs off the USB power bricks you use to recharge your cell phone. They also make rechargeable one for about $30. They are much lighter and easier to maneuver then a Dremel. They do not have as much torque as a Dremel and have a 3/32 shank size so Dremel attachment CAN NOT be used with them. However they come with a drum sander and replacement sandpaper any you can pick up more of various grits cheaply. they also come with different shaping bits. You can also find nice Arrorowmax drill bits that fit as well as some burrs I bought from the model expo site.