Modelling with non-modelling tools ...

[Peter Gillson]

I am sure that I am not alone that as part of my modelling toolbox I have tools which were never designed for modelling so I thought it might be a bit of fun, and informative, if we shared them. i am not thinking if tools which are used as designed but for modeling - such as pliers or hammers'

to start this off here are two:

Repair/darning needles - I found these years ago when looking around a fabric shop while Tina was choosing fabic- her fabric stash is larger than my stash of models! I use these when sculpting, they are really good adding creases in clothing, especially the curved ones.



i am sure I am not the only person whio has used a liquid like dettol to remove paint from metal figures, it works well but there is always at least one area where the paint will not budge, and needs a bit of 'elbow grease' to remove. My aid is this:


two things to remember - use an old head and change it before you next use it to wash your teeth!!!!

Peter

 

[Flip]

I use a travel toothbrush that I got on a business flight to "scrub" the sprues during the washing phase prior to starting a model. This one is dedicated to modelling and never goes near my teeth

 

[Jim R]

The items that immediately spring to mind are cocktail sticks, bamboo skewers and coffee stirrers. Also Blu-tac is regularly used to hold parts onto the above for painting.

 

[scottie3158]

A leather hole punch for cutting small plastic discs.

 

[Andy T]

I have more make-up brushes and sponges than my wife.

(still talking about model making, honest guv)

 

[AlanG]

Wooden toothpicks. I use them (along with blutac) to hold figures that are being painted.

 

[JR]

Japanese pull saw for cutting large sheets of XPS before using the hot wire cutter.

 

[Gern]

I have a set of icing trowels(?) for cake making that I use for spreading filler on dio bases.
Plastic shot glasses I use for mixing stuff. Turn them upside down with a blob of Blu Tac on the bottom and they make great holders for painting figures.
The plastic dishes with lids your Chinese food comes in make an endless supply of containers for all sorts of stuff.
Plaster of Paris bandages for supporting and creating contours on dio bases. Ditto ordinary Polyfilla - other brands are available.
A cheapo bench vice (mine has removable plastic faces) for holding brass rod/tube or larger plastic strip etc for cutting.

 

[Gern]

I have more make-up brushes and sponges than my wife.

(still talking about model making, honest guv)

You're not alone there Andy. I understand Tony has a loyalty card for his local Poundshop cosmetics counter.

 

[AlanG]

I also use a baby formula feed scoop for mixing my paints up in before i place into the airbrush. Been using it for 15 years now

 

[Peter Gillson]

I have more make-up brushes and sponges than my wife.

(still talking about model making, honest guv)

I also use the, as well as brushes for nail varnish - all great for groundwork.

Peter

 

[Peter Gillson]

john - I use a disposable toothbrush for ground work and splattering mud effect.
Jim - i'm also a collector of coffee stirrers, also chopsticks from Wagamamas.
Paul - i have a set of rectangular cutters which I used to cut plate armour for some 1/10 busts.
Alan - Modelling must be a real boon for the makers of cocktail sticks - I use more for modelling than with food!
jim - I have often thought about trying a Japanese pullsaw - but for my woodworking!
Dave - similar to your use of icing trowels, i use metal artists pallet knives, I guess that the icing tools may be just as good but cheaper.
Alan - not used a baby scoop, I mix paints in old plastic cat food containers - we have only one cat but she goes through a lot of cat food so I have a nice stock of them.

It seems we modellers are pretty creative when it comes to making use of what tools are around.

Peter

 

[Waspie]

What an informative thread for us new to the hobby. Big thumbs up.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

I have often thought about trying a Japanese pullsaw - but for my woodworking!

Get one Peter, you won't be disappointed!

 

[colin m]

I am sure that I am not alone that as part of my modelling toolbox I have tools which were never designed for modelling so I thought it might be a bit of fun, and informative, if we shared them. i am not thinking if tools which are used as designed but for modeling - such as pliers or hammers'

to start this off here are two:

Repair/darning needles - I found these years ago when looking around a fabric shop while Tina was choosing fabic- her fabric stash is larger than my stash of models! I use these when sculpting, they are really good adding creases in clothing, especially the curved ones.

View attachment 503585

i am sure I am not the only person whio has used a liquid like dettol to remove paint from metal figures, it works well but there is always at least one area where the paint will not budge, and needs a bit of 'elbow grease' to remove. My aid is this:

View attachment 503586
two things to remember - use an old head and change it before you next use it to wash your teeth!!!!

Peter

I once converted an electric tooth brush to a sander but cutting the bristles off and sticking a little disc of wet 'n' dry etc to the end. Odd thing is, I don't know where it is now.

 

[AlanG]

Alan - not used a baby scoop, I mix paints in old plastic cat food containers - we have only one cat but she goes through a lot of cat food so I have a nice stock of them.

When i was painting the oak leaf camo for my figures for the Bocage dio i had a couple of different colours on the go at any one time. So i used/still use the egg holder that came with my old fridge. It can utilise 6 colours/spaces at one time. Excellent for mixing colours and real easy clean up

 

[Tim Marlow]

I use a paper clip with one leg bent at right angles to clean out the nozzle in my Vallejo paints. It’s just the right size.
Like everyone i have an old toothbrush to scrub models. Mine is at least twenty years old now.
Blue tack is a given, I’m sure more is used for modelling than for anything else….not sure that counts though as I use it as designed, to stick things to surfaces.
I have a small pair of flat jawed eyebrow tweezers I use to remove stray hairs from my paintbrushes. Not paintbrush bristles, I hasten to add, just the occasional cat hair or clothing fibre that tends to gravitate to wet paint.

 

[Waspie]

When i was painting the oak leaf camo for my figures for the Bocage dio i had a couple of different colours on the go at any one time. So i used/still use the egg holder that came with my old fridge. It can utilise 6 colours/spaces at one time. Excellent for mixing colours and real easy clean up

I've just thought of a good use for my ice cube doo dah from the freezer!!! Thanks for the prompt!!!!
Now to get it past SWMBO!!!!!

 

[Flip]

Another one to add to the list...

This is my patented ping preventer (specially designed to defeat the carpet monster).
In reality it was the bag that my new pillow came in
Open the zip wide to put stuff in then close up as far as you want, leaving a comfortable gap to get your hands and wrists in. Due to the material, you can see what you are doing and any "pings" are caught in a defined volume.

 

[Andy T]

I've just thought of a good use for my ice cube doo dah from the freezer!!! Thanks for the prompt!!!!
Now to get it past SWMBO!!!!!

Further to that, the trays from M&S garlic dough balls are great for larger amounts of paint (diorama etc). Very sturdy & easy to clean.

I also use a Ferrero Rocher container for my oil paints. It lets the oil leach out onto the cardboard without the surface getting too crusty after a day or two: