What tools are most useful - what should I buy next?

[palmerit]

I'm looking for a recommendation on the next tool (possible power tool, or otherwise) I might find useful in my model ship building. I note at the end what I have now, which is a pretty good collection of the basic things I need (with some upgrades as noted), accumulated over the past few months. I'm wondering if there is something that would be worth an investment - making things easier, more precise, and quicker (I know that everything can be done by hand, but I also don't have a lot of free time, and tools are fun).

 

One thing I've been frustrated with is not being able to maintain a flat edge and a 90 degree (or other) angle when having to narrow a piece of wood by cutting or sanding. For example, in doing the NRG half hull, there are spacers supplied (and in some cases you need to make spacers from scrap wood) to go between the frames to give the skeleton more rigidity. I needed to shave off a tiny bit of some of the spacers to they would fit (or had to add a shim to a spacer because it was too narrow and then had to shave the combo down). Sanding by hand definitely won't work. And even sanding along a sanding stick laying flat on the table, I still lose the flat side and 90 degree angle. And not having a 90 degree angle means the spacers are flat with the frames.

 

I've thought about getting a small (micro) miter box. Some inexpensive ones only have spaces for a saw at 90, 45, and maybe 30 degrees. I'd rather get something with more flexibility (angles). I saw a more expensive one (Micro-Mark Dobson Miter-Rite) that's adjustable (various angles). 

 

I also saw the RP Toolz Cutter/Mitre Tool or Ultimation Slicer (guillotine style cutter). These can also cut on any angle, but with a guillotine rather than a razor saw. I don't know which style, miter with razor saw vs. guillotine/razor, is best for cutting wood (of varying thicknesses). (I know the guillotine style are useful for cutting copper for hulls, but that's not part of any model I have now.)

 

And there are small micro (power) disc sanders that can sand at any angle. I saw a post about an Ultimation one. I know that there was a Byrnes one, but I don't know if they are still in business after the passing of Jim Byrnes (while accessories are still available, it seems the power tools are not). I imagine where are others.

 

So I don't know if one of these (or multiple of these) might be useful. And if so, which?

 

I had created a post earlier about possibly getting a micro lathe (with some responding that it was not needed, and others saying to wait to get something that can be upgrading to a milling machine). I think I'll wait on that to see if I get to doing more complex scratch building someday, where a lathe/milling machine might be more useful.

 

After kitting yourself out with the basics (and upgrading some of the basics), what are the most useful tools (power or otherwise) to get?

 

I'm pretty well equipped with the basics now, and even upgraded some things:

- I have a Swann-Morton scalpel (with lots of 10A replacement blades) - they seem better than the cheap Xacto knife I started with.

- I have a descent box cutter (with lots of razor blades that I replace often).

- After starting with a cheap set of micro files that did not work well, I ended up upgrading to a set of Glardon-Vallorbe LA2442-0 Needle Files, which work much better.

- After starting with what ended up being a (too small) small self-healing mat, I bought another 3'x4' one (with the small one on top of the larger one). Gives more working room.

- I bought an Iwata eclipse HP-CS airbrush, which has worked great (it's one of the most highly-rated ones). I'm sure I could have done with a cheaper one, but this has worked great.

- I bought a relatively inexpensive OPHIR Airbrush Spray Booth on amazon. I have the exhaust going into a large bucket (with filters, holes, and water in the bottom) because I don't have easy access to a window where I work (YouTube videos on how to kit this out).

- I recently bought a Veritas mini block plane a set of Veritas mini chisels. I haven't had a need to use them just yet (I think I will soon). I ordered them and some tools for other projects from leevalley.com.

- I have a Dremel and a bunch of accessories that I bought years ago - the only use so far has been an initial pass at fairing the hull (with the sander on the Dremel) on my Sherbourne. Afraid to get it near anything delicate (my clumsiness more than the Dremel). I don't know if there are useful Dremel add-ons I might find useful for model ship building.

- I have a good selection of paint brushes (a few nice tiny Kolinsky red sable fine tip for fine painting) from an art supply store.

- I have a cheap pin vise and bits that seems to work fine. I know that's something I could upgrade someday, but the one I have seems to work.

- I have a descent, relatively inexpensive digital calipers, that I use fairly often (that switches between mm, fractional inches, decimal inches, which is nice).

- I have some good Tamiya tweezers of a few varieties (after trying to use some cheap ones we had around the house that frustrated me).

- I definitely see why Tamiya tape is the best. I have a bunch of widths for masking off sections (when spray painting and brush painting).

- I obviously have a wide variety of sand paper and sanding sticks and see now the value of making your own sanding sticks (now that I have scrape wood from models to make them from).

- I have a nice Tamiya side cutter (sprue cutter) that I bought because I've also been doing some plastic models. They're great and I've occasionally found use for them in model ship building too.

- I have a good collection of clips of various sizes (and ended up buying some more after realizing I didn't have enough). Easy to find on Amazon and elsewhere.

- I have the Model Shipways blank bender (built off a soldering iron I believe). It works well, and I've used it a bunch, but I've also burnt myself a few times - it gets very hot and the stand it comes with is garbage. I might try a travel iron approach sometime (not as hot, easier to use).

- I have an inexpensive razor saw that's done its job when I've needed to use it.

[palmerit]

I will say that I certainly have read a bunch of posts about these various tools - reviews, discussions, usage - here I'm asking for recommendations on what would be most useful to buy now - for someone who is just doing kit builds.

[Knocklouder]

You will always need more clamps lol. A  mini miter box, with razorsaw, an a combination sander belt and disk. Mouse sander is nice to have as well

 I only  build kits myself, the only tool I bought that I only used afew times was a band saw, nice to have but not needed.

  My friend @Keith Black just got himself a  slicer that he says he should have bought a long time ago. Look him up he tell you how good they are.

  I would say from here on buy good tools and only buy the ones you really need.

 This is only my opinion.     

Bob  M.

 

   

[Thukydides]

4 minutes ago, Knocklouder said:

I would say from here on buy good tools and only buy the ones you really need.

This

 

To be honest I am not sure you need much more if you are sticking with kits. When it comes to kit bashing it is hard to recommend a tool as they will be specific to the modifications you need to make. Based on that list you have more tools than me :).

[Ronald-V]

 

If I would add something...a disc sander is one tool that I use all the time and wouldn't want to be without, made life a lot easier  

Also for just kit building...it's fast and precise  

 

 

 

Edited October 24 by Ronald-V

[Desertanimal]

I also recently received the Ultimation slicer. It’s expensive but I think worth it. I was only able to use it for some accessories on my latest build as shipping took some extra time. It made those go very quickly and precisely. 

I also think a good square sander of some sort is also important. Like you said you’ll need to clean up some cuts and they’ll need to be square. 

I put together a linear sander for about $12. Works well so far. Got some linear bearings from Amazon for $9 and some scraps of mdf. 
 

 

Edited October 24 by Desertanimal
Spelling

[palmerit]

In addition to the Proxxon disc sander and a home-made jig, are there other recommended options to look for? I know the Byrnes disc sander is the best, but for now the company is not producing new machines, they just have accessories. Are there other good options? I see there's ones from Micro-Mark and Utlimation.

Edited October 24 by palmerit

[Knocklouder]

"BUSY BEE TOOLS"  was requmended to me, be careful they have lots of tools lol

Bob. M

[RossR]

I love my Ultimation tools.  Items like these may not be needed, but they make the process more enjoyable to me.  If you ask me if I like the slicer or sander better, it would depend which one I used most recently.   Love the both. If you are considering the Proxxon disk sander check out Menards.  I think they have the same thing in a different color at a lower price.  

[palmerit]

I'm intrigued by the Ultimation (well, what it does - the package is certainly expensive).

 

This video is from Olha Batchvarov (though it's linked from Ultimation, so certainly could be sponsored):

 

This one from Batchvarov compares the Proxxon and Ultimation:

 

Edited October 24 by palmerit

[Gregory]

The MicroMark disk sander looks like it should be comparable to the Proxxon for about $100 less.

 

 

I've been getting by with a bigger benchtop sander, but I'm considering getting this one.

[Diver]

If you purchase this sander please give a review.  I am thinking of purchasing this in the near future

 

[mtaylor]

I went a slightly different route for a sander.   I picked up combination belt/disk sander from the local hardware store.  I find I don't use it all that much. However, for some things it's the perfect tool for me.

[Jim M]

i use the ultimation sander and cutter they are amazing. 

[RossR]

1 hour ago, Gregory said:

 

I've been getting by with a bigger benchtop sander, but I'm considering getting this one.

I think the only issue you will have is for really small parts the gap between the edge of the table and the disk might be bigger than you would want.  Only an issue on really small parts and can be overcome be using a larger sacrificial piece of wood under the smaller part.

 

 

[bhanley]

Just an FYI - the sander noted in post #11 above can currently (10/24/24) be bought at Menard's for $40 plus shipping. Next cheapest, I believe, is Penn State Industries for $89 plus shipping.

Bruce

Edited October 25 by bhanley

[Dr PR]

A disc sander is really useful for creating chamfered edges like the tops of bitts and knight heads, catheads and such. After the angle is set you can make the same cuts on multiple pieces. And it is useful for cutting the same angles on many pieces. You can do this my hand with files or sanding blocks but getting the exact same angles is difficult.

 

A belt sander is very useful for shaping pieces, trimming to a mark, etc.

 

I recently bought a cheap belt and disc sander at Harbor Freight. Here is a review.

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/37369-harbor-freight-combination-belt-and-5-disc-sander/?do=findComment&comment=1070074

 

[CPDDET]

You might want to think about a mount for your dremel to convert it into a drill press.

[Gregory]

52 minutes ago, CPDDET said:

You might want to think about a mount for your dremel to convert it into a drill press.

While I agree with this,  I found the Dremel branded one to be very problematic with a lot of play in it that I could never work around.   

 

I settled on a small drill press that is working well so far.

[CPDDET]

34 minutes ago, Gregory said:

While I agree with this,  I found the Dremel branded one to be very problematic with a lot of play in it that I could never work around.   

 

I settled on a small drill press that is working well so far.

I believe Vanda-Lay makes a better version. 

[Ronald-V]

36 minutes ago, Gregory said:

While I agree with this,  I found the Dremel branded one to be very problematic with a lot of play in it that I could never work around.   

 

I settled on a small drill press that is working well so far.

Agreed...I have it too and I don't think the quality and accuracy are very good, perhaps the Proxxon is more accurate here...although I have no experience with it (but since they are more focused on model building, you would think it should be)

[Gregory]

On 10/24/2024 at 8:03 PM, Diver said:

If you purchase this sander please give a review. 

I don't feel like giving a review of this at this time because it had obvious problems out of the box, and I don't want to take the time to give it a thorough work-out.

The variable speed control was loose, and though I was able to tighten it up, the speed control didn't really work. There were dead spots as it was rotated.

Overall it seemed well made for the cost, but the quality control was obviously lacking.

 

It was Amazon Prime, so I am going to request a replacement and see what happens.

Edited October 27 by Gregory

[paul ron]

dental tools, surgical tools... #11 scalples, hemostats, forcepts, surgical scisors in a variety of sizes, insulin needles, razor saws, dental drills, fine grit sanding papers... all available through amazon if you search them out

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dentist+tool&adgrpid=1333708176786883&hvadid=83357090446197&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=99103&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83357120766271%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8582_13565617&msclkid=5001b4df91271469d589d2b17ad19432&tag=hydusmmsn-20&ref=pd_sl_95o3rsdcsj_p

 

.

Edited October 28 by paul ron