Category: Tools
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Big Pinch – Little Pinch
A gripping story… The best tool I ever purchased from Stanbridges was a set of clamps by Xacto. The buy was in 1974 when Stanbridges was Stanbridges and Xacto was Xacto… The clamps are made of metal, though I often wonder which one. I would have guessed aluminium but lately I’m not so sure. Originally…
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Occam’s Razor Saw
Go google up William of Ockham and read the article. Follow a few of the rabbit hole links and then come back. You’ll want a stiff drink now. Don’t try to model as your hands will be shaky. Avoid bright lights. The principles that William seemed to be writing about and that have provided philosophers…
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The Medium Is The Message
As Marshal McLuhan said, and was misquoted ever after. He had a right to be mad – he’d ordered a large, instead of a medium. And he was too Canadian to complain. In the hobby world, and especially in the hobby shop, there are lots of mediums – paint mediums, medium brushes, and medium tank…
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Foam Core For The Win Yet Again
Using foam board is now becoming the new trend around here. We’ve stopped using sheets of pasta when we make lasagne – it’s foam board instead. It also makes pretty good non-lethal ninja stars, if you’re into sex games… It also solved a problem in the decaling of a new fighter plane. I built an…
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RAF Wellington – Part Three – Bow Pen For The Win
If you do not have one, get one. Get two. Get several. You can never have enough bow pens. I have three – one from a drafting set my Grandfather used – one from a set my Father used, and one from a cheap eBay buy. The first two are best, the last adequate. Whenever…
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Here’s A Pot Of Money For Someone
And I know just where it will probably be made… The lucky people who read this column will have a spray booth to do their airbrushing in. It might be home-made – in which case they can have it any size they like – or a store-bought one that is limited in width and depth.…
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Workshop – Never Throw Nuthin’ Away
In fact, if they have special on nuthin in Bunnings, buy two extra packets. For my overseas readers, Bunnings is an Australian DIY store. It sells everything that the average man or woman needs to get themselves in big trouble in the home workshop. You can buy poisons, sharp knives, and the sort of machinery…
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Dewoitine D.510 – Part Three – The Jig
My pleasure at a Christmas present continues to grow. You’ve read my notes about the Slovakian plastic model jigs I received as a present this last Christmas. They are in daily use in the production of the 1:72 aircraft kits and I am learning to manage them better. I”m still not sure if the 5-minute…
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Nieuport 17C – Part Three – The Stick
I used to look upon the humble cocktail stick with disdain. No more. I am an eco-friendly convert. I believe the sticks – also known as satay sticks – are made of bamboo. This is an eminently sustainable crop and can be used with no eco-guilt at all. And they are cheap – I do…
The Little World 