Here are just some of a few tools you will find here at the
Professional Scale Modeling Studios, with just a brief description of
there uses. You will find most are in inexpensive, however some shown with astericks are necessary for the serious modeler who is
looking for a high level of realisim.
Since we strive for accuracy and realisim, measurements when alligning or fabricating parts have a zero tolerance for mistakes. So
we use a varity of calipers, micrometers, scales and gauge's. We look to replicate tolerances into a 64th of an inch or less.These
tools should be high on your tools list if you wish to keep a keen eye for detail.*
While the compass is not a very often used tool for the modeler a divider "is" it keeps precise distances and used with a caliper
or scale it helps with fabrications or measurements for allignments. Not a necessary but in many instances helpful for placement of
decals or other small parts.
When removing parts from trees there are a varity of tools you can use, in the far right there are various razor blades, exacto knife
blades and a sprue trimmer "our favorite" the reason we favor the trimer is because it pinches the part from the tree so it can be
cleaned with a exacto knife without much chance of damaging the part, however a saw will do just as well as long as the part is not
very small. In either case extreme care must be used when cleaning the part as not to cut yourself or damage the part.with the blade.
A beginners exacto set is a must for model building , as your skills progress you may choose to step up to the more advanced tools.
"A closing thought saws work great for removing thick parts with minimal effort.
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Clamps, rubber bands and a holding stand are musts even for a beginner, you don't need a whole lot but you will need a few "at
least rubber bands" to hold those stubborn parts until your sealants set.
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Any type of magnification
device is preferable to nothing at all. You will inevitably run in to a circumstance for a part or decal placement that will
require precise placement and these tools are superbe for the job ***>>>>>>
To our right are some of the more advanced tools you may eventually need, tweesers, hemostats,
sissors, battery operated drill, or hand drills.
Yes you see dental tools there too, there great for adding details to parts, as well
as cleaning poorly defined lines
To our right are some of the basic sanding tools of the trade. Testors sells sheets by the pack with various grits, revlon nail files
can also be used. We have a series of files with various profiles that are very handy "highly recommended"
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There is quite a large varity of adheasives to be considered and we use them all. In our first group we have what we clasified as
our structural adheasives, modeling glue, super glue, super glue jell, and the 2 part epoxys. In our second group there are the seaming
sealants very volitile needing adaquate ventalation, these types are excellent for exceedingly small parts, The third group are for
aircraft windows and canopy's, they are very durable and dry clear. In upcoming articles we will discuss the pro's and con's of each.
