random household object tools thread. PLEASE READ!

You could use wire for this but I use cotton buds (q-tips?). I pull off the cotton on the ends and bend a short section at one end 90 degrees. Put it into the chuck of my cordless drill and use it to stir paint. Works well.

Hey all,

I am new to the forums and wanted to jump in and share.

When I get paint jars with the lids stuck to them I boil them in a shallow pan for 20 seconds or so and the lids twist off nicely. No more hassle.

Model Grandpa wrote:

Simple Green.  Don't know if it counts as a tool but its my favorite chrome remover.

Simple Green is one of my absolute favorite degreasers for scatchbuild meterials that need preparatory cleaning. I'd definitely consider it a mild form of liquid sandpaper.

Block of wood.  I have a block of scap wood that Ive drilled random holes in.  I will ca glue small parts to toothpick or sprues to paint and stick the in the holes for drying.  I will also use roll masking to hold parts to it will painting.

Simple Green.  Don't know if it counts as a tool but its my favorite chrome remover.

wow! fish bones. Maybe I can finally paint eyes on 1/72 figures??

mattc

CDs and DVDs. Whether free or coasters that didn't burn quite right, they make great disposable pallettes for small amounts of paint, CA glue, etc.

 Failing that, tie string through the centre and hang them as bird scarers in the vegetable plot  

CD markers also write on pretty much anything: very handy if you want to x-ref your paints with equivalents from other manufacturers or RAL/RLM/FS. Saves checking the charts at IPMS Stockholm!

im not sure if this has been mentioned before... but here I go.

CD player or TV- it chases away the deadly boredom a modeler may encounter

Bship1969 wrote:

Just make sure your cat has shed the whisker first.

Oh.

Guess I shoulda read the entire post.....

Just kidding......

For a long time I've been using a 1/4" deep drive socket set as mandrals for bending wire, flat metal and plastics. Gives me a lot of usefull sizes. I put the extention in my vice so I can change the sockets fast.

There's pictures of my work room and tools on my Fotki page.

I knew I was forgetting one...

If you have a nice fine zester/grater used for grating fresh soft cheeses and zesting various citrus fruits...confiscate the one from the kitchen, claim it was lost or whatever and add it to your modeling toolbox. It makes quick easy work of "grinding" down weathering chalks/pastels into a nice powder without wasting too much energy or any sandpaper.

If you don't know what a "zester" is just do a google image search, you'll turn up plenty. My zester's surface is about 4 inches long, has a nice soft comfortable handle and has really fine holes for grating...Some zesters have larger holes. Mine is an OXO...

Good reading and some really good ideas in here...I'll add a few...

I saw "pliers" for removing stuck on lids for paint jars, I use an old fashioned nutcracker.

If you fish..."Plano Stowaways" make great organizers for everything from part's to paint and tools, most of them are clear but you can also buy them in various colors.

Sharpening Steel (most knife sets come with them), one quick swipe and your X-acto/Excel blade is good to go for a few more hours of cutting.

Broken Electronics? Where to begin? I've used chips and resistors to simulate a variety of things from "LCD" screens to fuel filters...same with the wiring inside; which can be used to dress up any engine bay. After all it's already broke...

I'm sure I'll remember some more or come up with some later.
Rob

goat monkey wrote:

dremel (put piece of sprue into the chuck to turn symmetrical round parts)

Now that is a nifty idea.

goat monkey wrote:

aluminum foil nail clippers solder resistor/capacitor leads metallic jello container lids and the plastic from the container itself clay working tools for shaping+applying putty lighter/cigar torch stove fresh produce containers bottle-caps hair (creepy) vice clamps rubber bands hammer hack-saw styrofoam (cut slots for rudder/wing/whatever to hold planes in place without scratching paintjob, useful for adding decals) guitar string box-cutter bigger hammer dremel (put piece of sprue into the chuck to turn symmetrical round parts)

goat monkey;

Hair? Yes that is creepy but only if your method of collection involves one of the following statements.

1. "It rubs the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again!"

2. "I say, how often do you see a 17th century well in the middle of suburbia these days?"

Sorry couldn't resist

Cheers;

Gregory

Along this same line, I use a lot of products that come with the warning:

"this product is known to cause cancer in the state of California"-

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I consider this another good reason not to move back there!

  Tom T

Somw of you guys are to young to do this but if you have a family member or no someone who chews tobacco like skoal ask for the empty container works great for storage of small PE parts and othe stuff.

warning

Tobacco couses cancer