My Workbench Regulars

[Fender]

A list of workbench regulars. Maybe I use or do something you don't -- maybe you can add something obvious I haven't stumbled on.

36" Pivoting Magnifying Lamp- I need this. I wear glasses and I still use the lamp. It has the 5" round lense and round lightbulb. It really helps for the detail work. The convex shape of the lense can distort viewing straight edges and lines and makes them look out of whack unless your eyes are lined up with the center. It stays on all the time when I'm working.

Hair Dryer- I've just started using one-- it's great.

Turntables- I have 3 of these. They are approx. 6x10. I made a couple from semi-round plaques from Hobby Lobby. I do have one large turn table big enough to put a 1/25 AMT tractor/trailer rig on. That one came in super handy over the four months I spent on the Conventional and Log trailer. It will also fit a Garden Scale Locomotive or various rolling stock if you are into that. I spend alot of time detailing those.

Dremel- variable- goes without much description. Everybody should have one.

Cig pack stands- I use the box type. I'll tape some of them up. I'm suprized at all the stuff I use them for.

Small paint brush ferrules with hairs removed and straight pins added for appying glue, paint, and holding things in place.

Dental scribes-- these are very good for alot of tasks.

Sharpies- for painting and touch up on small parts etc.-- especially the silver ones-- excellent.

Socket Tire Spinner- everybody has this- right?

Shrink Tube- excellent roll cage padding . I have a bunch of non- shiney kind. It's also great for bundling wires -(small pieces)

Chrome Duct Tape- not only is this very strong tape , I've used it for trim. It's thicker than the foil you get at the hobby shop. Works best on larger scale models.

Dull Coat- is my friend. I used it on tires and just about anything.

Fabric/Hobby Paint- the small bottles of paint you find at Hobby Lobby in about a thousand different colors- another great tool. It takes time to get used to it.

Copper Stranded Solder Dri-Wick- the best for seat belts! You can pull it to make it thinner or push it together to make it wider. You have to prime it before you paint it. It's just really good stuff. It conforms to shape .

Ambroid Pro Weld - excellent liquid glue with great capillary action. Travels a long way. It actually melts plastic together when it's not painted.

Smiths Guitar Polish- the best for guitars and great for model finishes. Check it out.

A couple of things I do usually are 1. measure almost everything in millimeters 2. Use clear styrene for windows whenever possible.

A couple things I don't do 1. I've never used an airbrush on any model 2. I hardly ever use a vice.

[Greg Myers]

Copper Stranded Solder Dri-Wick, where does one get this wonderful stuff ?

[gasser59]

I would add the indespensible Dremel Stylus tool. It holds a charge forever and fits the hand much better than a regular Dremel tool. A must have in my book.

[Fender]

I think you can get the copper Dri-wick at Radio Shark or from any electronics supply company- search solder removal. You want the thinner guage stuff that is actual copper not the steel colored stuff but it would work it's just larger guage stuff. It is indeed really good for seat belts. It wicks up melted solder when removing solder with a solder iron. So it absorbes paint . It needs to be primmed first before painting. When painted it looks like weaved material. It's best on 1/24-- 1/25 -- 1/16.

Also I saw the dremmel tool with the batt. It looks pretty usefull.

[crazyjim]

You need to post pics of all that stuff.

[gasser59]

Here's a couple of pix of the Dremel Stylus. It is a variable speed moto-tool that fits nicely in your hand and uses the same collets and bits as your regular Dremel. I got this a couple of years ago as a Christmas present coupled with the Dremel Driver which I use almost everyday around the house. Both of these are small, compact and holds a charge forever. Lots of torque for such a small tool. I have not seen this combo in any of the home centers lately but you can buy them individually. Highly recommend.

Edited March 22, 2011 by gasser59

[Fender]

I'm going to try and post pics of the stuff I posted about. Hopefully before this weekend. It will just be thumbnails.. I've seen those dremmels at Lowes or Sears I think..

[robertw]

Yes, the Stylus is my choice for a dremel. Since I got mine a few years ago I haven't picked up the old one. And you're right I put it back on the charger base maybe once or at the most twice a year.

robw

[Fender]

Pics of tools etc from my original topic start

the small blue cylinder is the copper solder dry wick for making seat belts

the black label bottle is the super glue solvent (remover)

The reddish liquid bottle is Smiths Guitar polish

Edited April 24, 2011 by Fender