shop talk

Steve Condon

Required tools for the new (every) Modeler

OK all you new modelers, here's a ready-made Christmas list to get you off and running in your shop.

Before we begin with the tools you will need, there are a few things you will need to begin your model building career.

The first is an appropriate work space. The kitchen table really is not the most suitable place, especially if you're married and want to stay that way. If you have a garage and 7' of available wall space, a hollow-core door attached to the wall via a 2 X 2 support in back and two or three legs will get you in business for a small investment. If you don't have a wall, try two sawhorses. If you want to save space, you could hinge it on the back, hinge the legs, and make it fold-up and latch for easy storage. Also, the surface will resist bowing if you skirt it with 1 X 4 pine. If you are considering doing this, call me and I'll tell you more.

The next is a building board. If you are building built-up wood models, a building board that you can push pins into is a must. For more details on building boards, see the "How do you...? column on page 5. While we are on the subject, I also recommend a cutting mat for making X-Acto cuts to save your blades and work surface.

As you get into this hobby/obsession that all of us share a love for, you will sooner or later learn that when you have the right tool you can complete the job better, faster, and with less frustration. This list is to help you avoid some of those moments when you're in a bind and choose to improvise with the wrong tool only to end-up worse off than before! We've all been there.

When looking around my shop, these are the top 13 items that I couldn't live without. By no means is this an exhaustive list.

1. X-Acto knife (or two), razor saw with fine and medium cut saw blades. If you have to choose one or the other, take the fine cut blade.

2. Basic sanding & shaping tools. For a full description of these items see my column in the May and June issues.

3. Needle nose pliers (preferably an assortment of sizes and shapes).

4. Wire cutters: small, medium and lineman's pliers.

5. Cordless drill and, preferably, a numbered drill set.

6. Six inch steel machinists rule and 18" steel straightedge.

7. Dremel tool and bit assortment. For convenience sake, I prefer the cordless Mini-mite, but it is not as powerful as the corded tool.

8. Soldering iron (preferably with a pointy tip), flux, small diameter solder. Most of your soldering needs will be for connecting servo wiring so make sure your flux and solder are for electrical use.

9. Safety equipment (dust masks, surgical gloves, safety glasses. Not exciting, but your body will love you for it ...if not now, later.

10. Sealing iron & heat gun. You can’t get around working with covering films, of one brand or the other. Yes, you need both of these items.

11. At least four small & medium C-clamps.

12. Set of jeweler's screwdrivers. Try and find a combo set of straight and Philips head screwdrivers.

13. Marshall’s "World Famous" (inside joke) wire strippers. They're the best. Don’t go to a store and try and find this brand. This $3 tool, made in China, is worth it’s weight in gold when you start soldering your first servo wires.

As mentioned earlier, the above list is bare bones but it will get you started. As you proceed with your building you will find a world of other "required" items that will make your building just that much more enjoyable.

Warning: Before you buy any big ticket items, such as a scroll saw, band saw, drill press, etc., be sure and check with some of us who have been down this road . We can save you money and get you the right equipment...the first time!

Good luck to you on your new venture into what we hope will be a lifelong hobby for you. If you need help, give me or one of the officers a call.

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