SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Model holding Jig

9486 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2016
Model holding Jig
Posted by rbtvgo on Sunday, April 2, 2017 4:28 PM

Although I hate to admit it the hands are not as steady as they use to be. That being said I realize that a third hand or third and fourth hand could be quite useful in the form of an adjustable model holding jig. I see them for soldering, painting etc., but I'm looking for something that will hold a model, specifically aircraft, during all phases of construction. The closer I get to completion the more difficult it becomes to add details without damaging work already completed. I realize that nothing is perfect but is there any products out there that anyone has found to be helpful. I have the cut down box, wire coat hangers, alligator clips, foam cradles etc, etc. Any info on a product would be most appreciated.

thanks

rbtvgo

Tags: holding , jigs , models
  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Monday, April 3, 2017 3:24 PM

For 1/48th (and smaller) aircraft, I like to use a foam cradle designed HO trains.

Like this one..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002O5YJ6U/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=175179170085&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16551875893717020466&hvpone=12.66&hvptwo=21&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016255&hvtargid=kwd-28763650722&ref=pd_sl_656ogmbnb_b

I wonder if the O scale one might work for 1/32nd?

Just my 2 cents, I'll bet even better ideas will be shared.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Monday, April 3, 2017 4:07 PM

As you mentioned; "Nothing is perfect", I can recommend the Tamiya work stand.  It's a great asset to my builds.  Check it out on YouTube.  Good luck sir!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Barrie, Ontario
Posted by Cdn Colin on Monday, April 3, 2017 4:37 PM

I stole the idea of an upside down egg carton from somebody on here.

I build 1/48 scale WW2 fighters.

Have fun.

  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 7:03 AM

I'm in a similar boat, try this out.

http://www.jhmodels.eu/plastic-models/model-stands/no-4801-stand/

Available directly from JHmodels or UMM-USA.

http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_162

Good luck.

 

In Progress
1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger (on hold)
Pending
1/48 Roden S.E.5a
1/48 Airfix Walrus
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 7:50 AM

I keep coming back to my old 'standby'---a wire coat hanger with the 'points' of the triangle folded upward, and straightened paper clips wound around and epoxied at each point. With the the paper clip ends bent to opposable 'L' shapes, they usually fit easily into drilled-out gunports, landing gear sockets, jet exhausts, tail-wheel holes or what-have-you...and allow good handling with little chance of snapping off that carefully-applied aerial mast or pitot tube.

The biggest problem these days is finding good paper clips---the new 'grippy' ones, which are 'segmented,' just break off if you try to bend them. (Who would have thought the common paper clip needed to be 'improved'???)

I've made up 3 of these that I use regularly...large, medium and small...and they work a treat, for painting as well as construction.

Good luck.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:17 AM

As a modeler nearing 80, I suffer from the drawbacks of the older modeler.  The vision problems I can generally take care of with the proper optics and lighting, but the loss of manipulative skills are harder to deal with.  I use jigs and fixtures a lot in building. I build several genres of modeling, and several different scales.  I have found no universal jig for holding either the model nor parts.  So I build my own.

I started by using particle board, and with the wider availability of MDF at building supply stores I have started using that instead.  I have a bandsaw in my shop so I can cut the stuff.

With the subject being talked about in several recent issues of FSM I am contemplating doing an article about tools and solutions for the older modeler, but for now I will just recommend that you consider making your own jigs for each model.  I find I make anywhere from a couple to many jigs for each model.  Some are to hold model or subassemblies during painting, some for drilling accurate holes, and many for holding parts in position while the glue sets.  I find my fingers start trembling even trying to hold parts in position accurately even for the few seconds it takes CA to set up.

There is the three hands needed problem off holding two parts together, requiring two hands, while I apply CA accelerator with the third hand :-)

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 1:00 PM

Here is a photo of a jig I made and used recently to glue together two parts of a tripod mast for a ship.

The joint in question was at the junction of the tripod legs and the lowest platform.  The top portion of the mast must be in line with the shorter leg of the tripod.  Trying to hold the two pieces of the mast together and ensure the two pieces being inline in two directions was more than I could hope for these days, so I built this jig which is far more complicated that most of the jigs I make, but shows what can be done.  The mast did indeed come out quite well aligned.  Note that I use poster tack to hold the upper part of the mast to the jig, along the pencil line.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by rbtvgo on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 5:11 PM

Two things go with age.......the eyes and patience in terms of the difficulty of doing things that you didn't even think about when the hands were steady. That being said, I appreciate all the responses. I have to check out the links suggested and then make sure the cut up customized box I've been using will continue to serve faithfully. Oh, I did order the Tamaya stand which may be of some additional help.

Thanks to all. Appreciate everyone getting back to me.

 

rbtvgo

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.