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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: FLOYD CARTER on December 07, 2011, 11:35:25 AM
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My wife asked me what power tool I wanted for Xmas. That prompted me to consider what I had and what I might need. It also reminded me of my teen-age years as a model builder having NO power tools: not a single one!
So I'd like your opinion on your most-often and indispensable power tool you use for modeling.
I'll include my own after you list yours.
Floyd
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Probably my bandsaw. I use it the most. Second would be the benchtop mill. And of course everyone needs a dremel tool.
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HI Floyd,
1.) Dremel Vari-speed,
2.) Scroll saw.
3.) Drill Press
Big Bear
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dremel
dremel
dremel
drill press
scroll saw
I'm after a band saw or small table saw this Xmas.....
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My wife asked me what power tool I wanted for Xmas. That prompted me to consider what I had and what I might need. It also reminded me of my teen-age years as a model builder having NO power tools: not a single one!
I probably use my drill press the most, followed closely by my makita hand-drill. Much less is my jigsaw and disk/belt sander. I rarely use my rotary tool (I have an ancient B&D flex-shaft tool, but generically its a Dremel tool) but when you need it, there's no good substitute. The fiberglass-reinforced Dremel tool cut-off wheel is the greatest invention ever.
I am actually going to have to get a new Dremel tool soon, the old Black and Decker will only go about half-speed at this point despite me cleaning and lubricating the driveshaft.
I actually don't use many machine tools. Exacto knives, metal rulers, Zona saws, and sanding blocks, just like the good old days. That may partly explain my difficulties in producing models quickly, aside from the appalling laziness. I have to build in my bedroom so I can't just leave everything set up.
Brett
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Have you tried putting in new brushes? Might want to clean up the armature whil you're at it.
I used to do a lot of grinding on motorcycle engines, and got to do a lot of fix-it work on the Dremel tools.
I probably use my drill press the most, followed closely by my makita hand-drill. Much less is my jigsaw and disk/belt sander. I rarely use my rotary tool (I have an ancient B&D flex-shaft tool, but generically its a Dremel tool) but when you need it, there's no good substitute. The fiberglass-reinforced Dremel tool cut-off wheel is the greatest invention ever.
I am actually going to have to get a new Dremel tool soon, the old Black and Decker will only go about half-speed at this point despite me cleaning and lubricating the driveshaft.
I actually don't use many machine tools. Exacto knives, metal rulers, Zona saws, and sanding blocks, just like the good old days. That may partly explain my difficulties in producing models quickly, aside from the appalling laziness. I have to build in my bedroom so I can't just leave everything set up.
Brett
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Floyd, I guess it all depends on what you have already.
However, I am surprised that I have not seen anybody here mention the Dremel Stylus. I have a Dremel 395 which gets a run regularly but usually in the plunge router, router table or work station attachments. I needed a flex drive but the cost of the Dremel attachment was such that I bought a whole Chinese copy with flex drive, for 1/4 of the price of the Dremel attachment.
Since I bought the Stylus, the Chinese copy has not been out of the cupboard.
The Stylus is small, light, fairly powerful and has excellent stall control for when you overlaod it. I doubt that I will use the Chinese copy and its flex drive again.
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All of these tools I have, The one I would most like to have is the old Dremel mini table saw. I'd settle for the Micro Mark version in a NY minute. #^
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Have you tried putting in new brushes? Might want to clean up the armature whil you're at it.
I used to do a lot of grinding on motorcycle engines, and got to do a lot of fix-it work on the Dremel tools.
This is a Black and Decker that they only made for a few years in the late 70s. The brushes aren't accessible from the outside, nor have I been able to find anyplace with replacements. I am sure I could work on it for a few hours and get it to work better, but $100 every 30 years doesn't seem like a serious impact.
Brett
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I use the band saw with a rip fence so I make my own sticks. Like the mill, it's not so much the tool as the tooling.
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Ah, I missed that point!
This is a Black and Decker that they only made for a few years in the late 70s. The brushes aren't accessible from the outside, nor have I been able to find anyplace with replacements. I am sure I could work on it for a few hours and get it to work better, but $100 every 30 years doesn't seem like a serious impact.
Brett
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I don't tend to use a great many tools for building.
The tools that revolutionised the quality of my work are the many sanding blocks I've made in several lengths by glueing automotive file sheets to pieces of scrap hardwood.
I most commonly use fresh 80- 120 grit for shaping and slip loose peices of wet/dry paper over the blocks down to 600 grit to final sand before starting to apply a finish.
The main tools I typically use are;
Sanding blocks, Dremel mototool (multispeed), stanley (fixed blade) utility knives, drill press, old 1/4" stanley hand drill and 120w soldering iron.
Cheers, Rob..
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1. Dremel
2. Drill press
3. Band Saw.
All my "bigger" tools are bench top versions and are perfect for hobby work.
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All of the above + a belt sander. I have this file I had for a long time and it is great. It's about 7" long and has 4 roughness's(?) on it one side is flat and the other side has a nice crown. It is great for shaping wood form course to fine, I use it a lot.---LOUIE H^^ D>K
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dremel
dremel
dremel
drill press
scroll saw
I'm after a band saw or small table saw this Xmas.....
Ditto.
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Forgot to add my "WISH LIST":
1.) Dremel table saw.
2.) " " "
3.) " " "
4.) through 10.) ditto.......... ;D
Bill
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A lady I know recently got a laser cutter, a Fused Deposition Modeling machine, and an NC router. I think that's a reasonable start for a Christmas list.
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A lady I know recently got a laser cutter, a Fused Deposition Modeling machine, and an NC router. I think that's a reasonable start for a Christmas list.
Sounds like the JCT is moving even higher up the line in modern technology!
Big Bear
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CAD system and a friend with a laser. ;D
I use my little 3" disk, 1 in belt sander a lot.
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How did we make it this far without all the power equipment. I still have my coping saw, block sander and razor blades. D>K
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How did we make it this far without all the power equipment. I still have my coping saw, block sander and razor blades. D>K
Well, Doc, I have found myself slowing down, way down, in my "speed of building". All these power tools really help speed up things.
Big Bear
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It appears that most of your most important power tools are the same as mine.
I'll look into the Dremel Stylus. Maybe it is time to replace my ancient Dremel Model 285, 2-speed. At least 20 years old, but I couldn't operate without it.
A Micro Mark bench table saw might be a good idea. I also use the band saw with a clamp-on fence to make balsa strips, but it is always a hassle to get the fence adjusted just right.
A CNC machine or laser cutter sounds great, but I'll have to take a pass on that for now. Having spent some years in Silicon Valley designing giant "super computers", I shudder at the idea of having to program any computer.
So, my own tools, in order of importance:
Dremel, with cut-off wheel, drum sander and small drill bits.
9" table top band saw.
Drill press, 8" swing
Craftsman disc/belt sander: 6" disc and 4" belt.
Makita battery-operated drill.
Thanks for your suggestions. Still a few days before Xmas, so I can keep looking.
Floyd
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The power tool that I find the most indispensable is my drill press. I can make much better placed, much better squared-up holes with a drill press than I can with a hand drill.
After that, the only power tool that I use regularly is a Dremel that lives its entire life with a cutoff disk installed, and nearly all I ever do with it is cut off music wire.
My metal lathe sees some use, and is a great convenience for some things (in fact, for a while I was making a point to have at least one hand-turned bit of something on every plane I built). But it could go south today and I'd still be able to build models just fine.
If I was going to get a power tool I think I'd want a jig saw or a belt sander -- but then I'd have to make bench space for it.
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After that, the only power tool that I use regularly is a Dremel that lives its entire life with a cutoff disk installed, and nearly all I ever do with it is cut off music wire.
If that's all you need to do, you don't need a Dremel tool:
http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=20527&cat_id=51
Cuts 1/8 Music wire like butter.
Brett
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If that's all you need to do, you don't need a Dremel tool:
http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=20527&cat_id=51
Cuts 1/8 Music wire like butter.
Brett
so does this @ 1/10 the price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-bolt-cutters-41146.html
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I probably use my drill press the most, followed closely by my makita hand-drill. Much less is my jigsaw and disk/belt sander. I rarely use my rotary tool (I have an ancient B&D flex-shaft tool, but generically its a Dremel tool) but when you need it, there's no good substitute. The fiberglass-reinforced Dremel tool cut-off wheel is the greatest invention ever.
I am actually going to have to get a new Dremel tool soon, the old Black and Decker will only go about half-speed at this point despite me cleaning and lubricating the driveshaft.
I actually don't use many machine tools. Exacto knives, metal rulers, Zona saws, and sanding blocks, just like the good old days. That may partly explain my difficulties in producing models quickly, aside from the appalling laziness. I have to build in my bedroom so I can't just leave everything set up.
Brett
No mention of a there calculator Brett? ;D
Drill press would be my 'must have.'
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so does this @ 1/10 the price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-bolt-cutters-41146.html
Perhaps a few times, but I have seen those exact cutters with 1/8" divots in the blades.
Brett
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Usually the first bench powered tool most guys get no matter what the shop activity is, is of course, the drill press simply because, you can't do crap without it. What the spear was to cavemen, the drill press is to us. For us in particular, after the drill press is probably the Dremel tool.
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You are so right about a drill press. My first one was a unit that held my electric drill. H^^
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I've said for years that my very first tool would be a good scale or scales. Something to accurately weigh balsa and one to handle more weight, such as the whole model. No one has mentioned scales, but those who do not have them constantly build heavy models. They have no way of figuring out where the weight comes from.
Of course, I am the friend who has both the ACAD and Laser. Very nice tools.
Pat Johnston
Weights and Measures
Skunk Works
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No one has mentioned scales, but those who do not have them constantly build heavy models. They have no way of figuring out where the weight comes from.
I didn't have any scales for years, and was consistently building ST46 models in the mid-40s. Being aware of what you are doing is a lot more important than weighing everything. It's easy enough to tell the difference between 5 lb wood and 8 lb wood. I hit my target weights within an ounce or two quite consistently.
Now that they are cheap and available, there's no reason not to have some sort of scale (and I think I have 3-4 good scales and at least a couple of cheapies) but you don't need it after you have bought the wood. And *weight isn't that important as long as you have good engines*. A drill press is a lot more important than scales.
Brett
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I find that -- regardless of any effort I make to the contrary -- that I build lighter when I weigh everything that goes in. Weighing stuff keeps me thinking of weight, which means that I pay attention to wood choice, I don't slather on glues, etc.
That doesn't mean that if I had a different brain I couldn't do without the scales -- it just means that using a scale during building works for me.
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Good electronic postal scales can be bought for about $30. I don't weigh wood, because I can estimate as good as any scale. But it is always instructive to weigh completed models, or those before and after painting! It only shows you how much weight gain comes with those "zoot" finishes! (my excuse for balsa grain showing).
Flooooyd
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.... most-often and indispensable power tool you use for modeling.
Floyd
Coffee machine, no doubt about it. :)
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1956 Weller soldering gun.
Hi def cable TV with premium channels.
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No one mentioned LIGHTING.
All the tools in the world won't do you any good in the dark, unless its a flashlight.I have 3 benches in my hanger(basement), all have a 2 bulb fixtures except one it has 2.
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Yes. My own shop has 7 dual 40 Watt flourescent fixtures. 14 tubes in all. And it took me a while to find the correct color temperature for the tubes. I like the "daylight" color.
Floyd
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My shop has seven of the 4-bulb fixtures that are set in the drop ceiling. As I get older, everything needs more light. Wonder why. ??? :)
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Annnndd - with the lighting I have also added white walls to the white ceiling and checkerboard floor! Lotsa light, like an operating room. Wait! It IS an operating room! (Well, sort of.)
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Definitely white walls! And white cabinets, too. No checker board floor, though! :)!
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I should update everyone on exactly what my tool survey produced. For Christmas I got a nice set of Forstner bits: 6 sizes from 1/4" up to 1". I have used sharpened brass tubing to make nice, splinter-free holes, but these Forstner bits never need sharpening, and they do a great job on plywood!
Now, to make a list for next Christmas.
Floyd
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Once you use those bits on plywood, don't try them on balsa. H^^
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I use mine on balsa as well as plywood, maple, walnut, ash, koa, etc.
The key is to mark the center all the way through the balsa with a pin, drill part way through, then turn the material over and drill from the other side.
Makes nice, clean holes every time.
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For those who love the drill press as a most-used tool, I would concur. straight and plumb is such a hard thing to get with a hand drill! I couldn't do without my special radial arm fellow.
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Looks like we have a luthier among us! My own building efforts are limited to a harpsichord, a Russian Balalaika, several violin bows. I would like to build a guitar, but I can't play one.
Floyd
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Floyd,
Do you have any pictures of your instruments? I love looking at others work. (Especially the Russian instrument, it's one I'm not familiar with.)
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I'll take some photos and simply amaze everyone on this net!
Floyd
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The harpsichord is a single manual Flemish copy with 55 keys. Mostly walnut wood. It gets frequent use around here.
The Balalaika is less often used. Spruce top. Maple back. I can only play simple tunes on it.
Floyd
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Wow, Floyd, super nice work!! I love the sound of the harpsichord as well as anything, and the Russian instrument is really interesting. Is it tuned like a guitar? (I see there are 6 strings.)
I LOVE walnut, it's such a mellow sounding tone wood, and there are none more beautiful.
If you want to waste a little time, go to my website for more walnut at www.crossovercustomguitars.com
Thanks for the pictures, awesome stuff.
Will
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The balalaika is a Russian folk instrument. Traditional ones have 3 strings, tuned (top to bottom) A1, A1, E1. I decided on doubling the string courses (like the 12-string guitar). It only makes it harder to play. Since I can't play it, it doesn't matter!
Floyd