Some tools & tips I've found useful.

[John Symmons]

The first is a tip; often when I've been using a new blade I suddenly find red paint appearing on the model only to find I,ve cut myself. Now I dull the last few millimetres of the blade leaving the point sharp. As I rarely use that part of the blade it remains razor sharp and ends up cutting a finger or thumb as I hold the knife close to the blade. So whenever I use a new number 11 blade I always dull the bottom few mm's. Or you can have a supply of plasters handy.

Recently I was rigging some model ships and came across some small snips in a sewing shop. They look like small sheep shears, they are very sharp and you can cut really really close.Ideal for trimming ships rigging, clossely cutting out decals, and trimming masking tape, and much easier to use than scissors as there are no finger holes. I now have three pairs; two cheap ones that look like they fell out of a corn-flakes box, and a fancy branded pair that cost ten times the cheap ones. To be honest the cheap ones work just as well as the branded one. If you see then try a pair you'l find the most useful.

The other useful tool I saw was a bead reamer; used for reaming the holes in beads, this simple tool has been most useful to me in cleaning out painted holes and enlarging holes that are too small, I find it better than a Swiss file (& much cheaper) or a number 11 blade. You can find then at bead shops or jewler's supply stores.

One final tip is when you go to the dentist try tapping him for some old tools he no longer uses, the probes and scraper ones, you might not use them as they are but they can be easily re-shaped to whatever you want. I still have several form my dentist from way back in the 50's and still use they reguarly.

That's it hope it helps some new comers and maybe given some food for thought to the more experienced modellers.

Remember we do this for fun  John the Pom

[DavidJC]

As to scalpel blades, I use 10a which seem to be the best all-round choice and sound somewhat safer than 11.

[SunrayOne]

I recently invested in a set of Pin Vices and some micro drill bits (all from Machine Mart). Total cost was about £10 and I can now create or clear holes very cleanly down to about 0.3mm. 

Seriously 0.3mm. The finest bit is like human hair thin!

[John Symmons]

Hi Alta

Hi Alta

Yes the 0.3mm is fine just do not out any pressure on it or bend it, they break very easily. I used the 0.3mm when drilling holes in my build of the Manxman & Cambeltown for the rigging on the ships forum. I hope the drills are new ones and not re-cycled from cirect-board manufactures, as those tend to be a bit dull, OK if your making a hole larger but not too good for fresh holes. I also use the 0.3mm for rigging holes in 1/72 biplanes, the holes are so small you don't really need to fill the hole afterwards, just remember to pre-punch before you drill as I've found that even these small drills can wander off. Finally be careful were you put them down as they just dissappear. The last time I brought 0.3mm drills they cost me over R60 each that's about £3 from a local engineering supplier.

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom