Hints and Tips

This one started in the chat room, so rather than loose the info I've put it in a thread:

- Flytilbroke came up with a comment that he uses old CDs and DVDs as mixing plates for glues, etc. I've done the same and I use old knife blades to do the mixing, leaving them to dry in the glue after use for safe disposal.

- Coffee Stirrers: Tony B uses them as a spatula for stirring. I use 'em for down/side thrust and incidence blocks on FF aircraft.

- Tony B glues ali tubes onto drills to increase the diameter to allow hand turning in confined spaces - the drills can still be used in a drill chuck.

There's a few for starters, is there anything you can add?

Tony B tube and drill bit also extends the bit into places too deep to reach other wise.

margarine tubs can be used for storage and the lids used for mixing epoxy on.

humbrol paints tend to get thicker the further down the tin you get (no matter how much you stir the tin) so when i get down to the thick paint i add a couple of drops of white spirit to the paint and give it a shake.

Humbrol paints make good lightweight spray paints for FF models if you use the thick pigment at the bottom of the tin and dilute it with cellulose thinners.

The matt works better than the gloss and give it a good mix just before spraying.

If you do happen to frequent the otherwise foul macdonalds chain, the ketchup holder is a brilliant paper cup, pocket a few on the way out (without ketchup in) they are perfect for mixing paint glue or holding glue like pva rather than dispensing from a big bottle

Hairdressers 'Curl Clips' make excellent clamps for holding fragile joints:

standard size picnic boxes make good fuel containers, most will take two gallon bottles,keeps out light and keeps temperature even and you can stack them in shed also keeps them clean and puncture proof

Ikea provide free pencils which can be used as free pencils. So far I have managed to relieve them of over (a very large number) which I use regularly. Once you have filled your pocket(s), inform an attendant that you feel sick and need fresh air and they will show you the 5 second escape route thus relieving you of the 2 hour Ikea marathon.

On a more serious note, I saw this on You Tube.

Get a cheap pair of flat blunt pliers - mine cost a £1 off the market - and then using a Dremel with cutting disk cut a couple of slots as shown. don't cut the slots centrally. (mine were too central despite being asymmetric).



These make a fine pair of pliers for bending 'z' shapes etc. and are a fraction of the cost of commercial benders. More than adequate for piano wire to 16swg

I use "Poundland brown parcel tape , stick a couple of pieces side by side to mix epoxy, lift off when finished and dispose.

Andy Sephton wrote: Humbrol paints make good lightweight spray paints for FF models if you use the thick pigment at the bottom of the tin and dilute it with cellulose thinners.

The matt works better than the gloss and give it a good mix just before spraying.

Can you just confirm something for me here please Andy?
I don't use Humbrol paints any more but I seem to remember they were white spirit or turpentine based. Did they come out with a range of cellulose based paints?

Pol.

A variation on the tip offered by others really. We buy those big yoghurt pots which come with a clear clip on lid to use between servings. However as we just share and eat them in one go the lid is always saved for mixing epoxy and other stuff on. And if you are really mean frugal you can mix on one side and later on the other before throwing them away!

Polyphilla wrote:

Andy Sephton wrote: Humbrol paints make good lightweight spray paints for FF models if you use the thick pigment at the bottom of the tin and dilute it with cellulose thinners.

The matt works better than the gloss and give it a good mix just before spraying.

Can you just confirm something for me here please Andy?
I don't use Humbrol paints any more but I seem to remember they were white spirit or turpentine based. Did they come out with a range of cellulose based paints?

Pol.

They're still white spirit based Pol. The white spirit finish is heavy but the pigment is good, so we mix it with cellulose thinners instead.......which is why you have to give 'em a good stir just before spraying.