Tools (and other stuff) we CAN live without
Bench Chatter. The Me323 got a little love this afternoon with the assembling of the main wings. This kit has been a challenge as I tried to figure out what to assemble and when to assemble in light of painting. That really means following Great Wall Hobby’s instruction sheet is really more suggestive. I did run into a little bit of a snag when I realized some of the minute clear parts were nowhere to be found and most likely got tossed with the sprue weeks ago. However, this was a chance to test the latter half of Model Master Clear Parts Cement & Window Maker label claim. Certainly better than a sharp stick in the eye it will do the trick. Shrinkage seems to be the biggest problem and will require several applications. While the windows were curing I started assembling the Space Wolves Thunderwolf Cavalry figures. I don’t know that I’ll ever understand 40k Warhammer gameplay and rules but the figures look wicked and will be fun to paint.
Small Subjects Ep31 (1/12/2023) – 1hr 23minutes
While sitting at the bench today I listened to the latest podcast from Small Subjects as Jim and Barry talked about tools and modeling products that they bought and found … less than useful. Some they found down right pointless, others just not up to the hype. They were honest about their reviews in that it could be operator error on their part and in the hands of others the tools may work just fine. Here are their top picks:
- Glue loopers. My choice of glue applicators is a microbrush with the tip cut off. And they come in a variety of colors of green, yellow or white! 😉
- Dremel Flexi Shaft. And as an added bonus, the Dremel shaft lock button.
- Proxxon Mini Jig Saw On/Off switch. As in Real Estate it’s all location, location, location.
- Micro-Mark Table Saw. Apparently the blade guard guards too well.
- Micro-Mark Grab Wire Bending Gauge
- Micro-Mark Etch Mate
- Mission Models Paint. My experience with these paints was not pretty. Even after using their thinner and the polyurethane additive.
- Vallejo Polyurethane Primer
- Archimedes Spiral Push Hand Pin Vise.
- Plastic Sanding Needles. The sprue nubs are still there, the mould line runs the length and the grit rubs off quickly rendering them pointless. Agreed.
Dishonorable mentions: Flexi-files, Infini Easy Cutting Mat, Washi tape and blue or green painters tape.
The upshot of the episode was not to knock any of these products but rather say they just didn’t work for them. The final piece of advice: don’t buy cheap tools.
Butt Crumbles 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Whiskers
Model Musings from a Cavilier Cat 