jmk98 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 posted this question in the wrong section before, so I'll put it here now. What tools should I buy if I want to start scratch building parts from styrene? Also, what thickness of styrene sheets should I buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 (edited) X-acto knives, razor saws, needle files, flat files, riffler files, drills (including a pin-vise and small bits), clothespins and other assorted clamps, hemostats, various kinds of tweezers, sandpaper in various grits, sanding-blocks (flat and shaped), a straight edge and steel right-angle, a small miter-box, straight-pins, fine-line Sharpie markers, a Dremel tool and attachments, a compass, ...lotsa stuff.Depends on what you want to start making.As you learn, you'll also figure out what you like to use for various projects and parts. I find sheets of .010", .020", .030" and about .060" to be the most useful, and if you're working in 1/24-1/25 scale, then 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm round rod are pretty common for chassis and roll-cage work. Rectangular and strip-stock too, plus tubing in various diameters. Edited October 28, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedotwo Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Bill listed most of the popular hand tools that would cover the majority of any scratchbuilding you'd want to do. If you find yourself needing more, then the move up to a mini mill/lathe would be a next step, but that would be a ways off. As for plastic stock, again Bill hit the popular sheet and rod sizes but I've amassed quite a selection of Evergreen/Plastruct stock in all shapes and sizes. Keeping them organized to be able to find them quickly can be a pain however. It's nice to have what you need at hand when a brainstorm comes over you when building, rather than having to wait for a trip to your LHS or online order to arrive. With my fading memory I'd often forget what I needed the particular stock for when I finally did get it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59 Buick Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Had a quick look on YouTube and found this http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIc_6sAPhqeemkyaD-yNTWSKnUY7-m6bW There are 200 videos in it covering various scratch building techniques, hope this help with your needsregardsMarty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmk98 Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Had a quick look on YouTube and found this http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIc_6sAPhqeemkyaD-yNTWSKnUY7-m6bW There are 200 videos in it covering various scratch building techniques, hope this help with your needsregardsMartywow, that's awesome! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg K Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 depending on how good your eyesight is, these come in pretty handy for detail work. picked this one up at hft for 2.99 + tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Dual roach clip with a solar lighter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg K Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Dual roach clip with a solar lighter? yea, i could see that! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Greg,How sturdy/stable is that when you are using it? It looks like it might be kind of wobbly with the small base. I really need one if it is pretty stable. Both for models and doing wiring/soldering when I am working on wiring harnesses.Thanks,Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg K Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) Greg,How sturdy/stable is that when you are using it? It looks like it might be kind of wobbly with the small base. I really need one if it is pretty stable. Both for models and doing wiring/soldering when I am working on wiring harnesses.Thanks,Russactually, the base is very heavy. although a bit top heavy with the glass. i have accidentally bumped it (lightly) when the glass was horizontal and it fell right over. Edited October 30, 2015 by Greg K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russosborne Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks, that was what I was afraid of.Still, it shouldn't be too hard to mount that base to a piece of wood to give it some stability. For the price I think I will give it a shot.Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenkocamaro Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Not required, but I recommend a digital Caliper for super accurate measuring. Cheers, Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenkocamaro Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 You can check out tools and supplies here.http://www.micromark.com/default.aspx?ns_md=cpc&ns_sc=AdWords&ns_cn=WK_Brand&gclid=COWxt8iq6cgCFQYIaQodedsP1Q Cheers,Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Not required, but I recommend a digital Caliper for super accurate measuring. Cheers,LanceNot only for measuring - you can use the pointy ends of the jaws to scribe measured distances directly onto a piece of styrene. Very handy! You can sometimes find the 6" model for as low as $10 at Harbor Freight or other similar dealers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.