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  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Toolboxes
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 2:32 PM

Hello All, 

            Here’s a good question for everyone, and one that I don’t think should be revealing any “state secrets.”  And if your toolbox does contain “state secrets,” then please share what you’re comfortable with sharing.Wink  What is in your toolbox? 

            I’ll go first, and given that I’m just getting back into the hobby after an absence mine isn’t that well stocked at the moment. 

My toolbox contains the following: 

            My toolbox itself has a covered section in the lid that I keep the following: 

  • A Small Container of Shellacked
  • A Tube of Testors Plastic Cement
  • Testors Clear Plastic Cement
  • Two Tubes of CA 

Inside the toolbox itself:

In the Tray: 

  • 3 Lens Loupe; 3x, 6x, 9x
  • Hemostats
  • Tube of three Atlas Ox Hair paintbrushes
  • Two-Part Epoxy 

Under the Tray: 

  • A Couple of Small Sheets of Sandpaper
  • A Three Brush Packet (different sizes) of Atlas Ox Hair Brushes
  • Sanding Sticks/Emory Boards
  • Small Bottle of White Glue
  • Testors Decal Setting Soloution
  • Testors Hobby Sanding Films
  • Testors Liquid Cement
  • Three Handle X-Acto Knife Set
  • Two 4” Bar Clamps
  • X-Acto Extra Fine Saw Blade
  • X-Acto Medium Saw Blade 

            Not stored in the toolbox but can come in handing is a 12” ruler, protractor and a 30’ Stanley tape measure. 

            That’s just the building supplies; I keep my paint and thinner separate from the actual building supplies. 

            Supplies that I still need to pick up: 

  • A couple more 4” and 6” bar clamps
  • Headband with magnifying glass
  • Needle Files
  • Notebooks for storing instruction sheets
  • Pin Vise and Pin Drill Bits
  • Polystyrene Rods
  • Sheet Polystyrene
  • Some Small(ish) Spring Clamps
  • Tweezers (both locking and non-locking)
  • X-Acto Miter Box
  • X-Acto third hand with and without magnifying glass 

Paints and Supplies: 

  • Model Master Gunmetal
  • Model Master Olive Drab FS394087
  • Model Master Semi-Gloss Black
  • Testors “Custom” Mixed Semi-Gloss Grey (Used Flat & Gloss Grey)
  • Testors Enamel Thinner & Brush Cleaner
  • Testors Flat Aluminum (2 bottles)
  • Testors Flat Black
  • Testors Flat Steel
  • Testors Gloss Black
  • Testors Gloss Brown
  • Testors Gloss Dark Blue
  • Testors Gloss Green
  • Testors Gloss Orange
  • Testors Gloss Red
  • Testors Gloss White
  • Testors Gloss Yellow
  • Testors Metal Gold
  • Testors Metal Silver
  • Stirring Sticks
  • Bottle For Mixing Custom Colors
  • Empty Syringes (Used to Give Pet Cat “Little One” Pain Meds, and now being repurposed for paint mixing) 

            So what does everyone else have in their toolbox(es)?  What can the more experienced modelers recommend that I add?

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 6:05 PM

I wrote an article on a model making tool box over ten years ago. I eventually moved on to a bigger fishing tackle box because I put more stuff inside.

armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 6:41 PM

If I took the time and effort to catolog everything I have, it would take a very, very long time. My "toolbox" is a 10' x 12' spare bedroom. The tools are on shelves, in drawers, and laying on the floor of the room. I also have my spraybooth and some shelves with tools in another spare bedroom. It's great when the kids left. I moved everything upstairs from the dark, cold in the winter and hot in the summer, damp basement to their comfortable bedrooms. They couldn't move back. We still have one spare bedroom left that we use for the grandkids when they have sleepovers.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 7:35 PM

Rob Gronovius

I wrote an article on a model making tool box over ten years ago. I eventually moved on to a bigger fishing tackle box because I put more stuff inside.

armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php

Rob,

     Thank you for the link to the article.  I'm not 100%, but I think that I might have seen it before.  It's good, and well written and I'll be using it to add to my toolbox.  So again, thank you for the article Rob.

Tags: Toolbox

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:56 AM

I had to go out and buy a new tool box myself due to increased amounts of paint bottles I've aquired recently. I got mine at Lowes for about $10 ( www.lowes.com/pd_245990-61896-245990_4294770564__ )

In the tray, I keep my glue (tube and liquid), model putty, files, tweezers, brushes, and sprue cutter. The bottom, I store my paint bottles/thinner, hobby sandpaper, pliers (to open sticky/stuck paint bottles) small notepad/scratch pad, a tiny stack of 3x5 index cards.

The top of the toolbox also has two storage lids; each divided in two sections. The left side, I keep stirring sticks from sprues (to mix/stir paint), small clamps. The right side, I keep my glue tip inserts, tiny drill bits and Tamiya yellow masking tape.

I now  use my original old toolbox to store all my Testors spray paint cans.

I took an old unused container of my mom's for future Tamiya paint bottles that I'm sure to add down the road. Perfect for those Tamiya mini paint bottles.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:51 AM

Mine contains:

--3 or 4 pairs of tweezers

--3 sizes of X-Acto razor saws

--An X-Acto handle for Nr 11 blades

--2 handles for the Nr 2 blades or razor saws

--Several files and rasps

--A selection of micro-drill bits and a pin vise

--A 12" ruler, also marked in metric

--A couple of pencils and an ink pen

--Two small jeweller's screwdrivers, slotted tip

--a bunch of spring-loaded clothespins

--Some sandpaper in various grits

--All of my Mussini oil paints

--All of my Testor's gloss enamels in the little square bottles

--A jar of Testor's brush cleaner (may be a refill with mineral spirits at this point)

--A couple of homemade washes, in little jelly jars

--Some of my stash of Model Master paints

--Silly Putty (they were all out of Serious Putty)

--Squadron white putt (I guess that's the serious putty)

--A jar of Dorland's Wax Medium (mixed with oil paints to make them matte)

--An ancient batch of Miliput

My tool box is a white pine artist's box, with an insert tray, that I got from *D*i*c*k* Blick.  I stained it with a Jacobean stain, sanded it and sealed it with a clear polyurethane.  It's too small to hold all of my supplies, if I take everything on the road.  I have 2 round cookie tins to store the rest of my paints in jars, another box to store rattlecans, and my water-based acrylics are out on the bench.  I've been thinking about getting a large tackle box or tool chest, to use instead.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:52 AM

Oh, yeah, I forgot--my various glues are also on the bench.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:59 PM

Toolbox???   Wait.., this is a portable hobby?Huh?

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Medford, OR
Posted by OMCUSNR on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:45 PM

It is if you also build / fly RC!

Files - lots & lots of files.  Lots of #10 x-acto blades.  Reamers & taps.  Matches/candle.  Sprue cutter, end cutter, dikes, pliers.  Wooden skewers.  Bottle caps  Assorted pokie things.  Dental scrapers.  Ear plugs.  Dremel bits/drill bits.  Some props of various pitches.  Caliper / micrometer.  6" steel ruler, dividers.  Other stuff.

Reid

Grumman Iron Works Fan.

"Don't sweat the small stuff.  And.... it's ALL small stuff, until you hear INCOMING!!!!!!"

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:16 PM

Dre

Toolbox???   Wait.., this is a portable hobby?Huh?

I did a couple of Army assignments where I traveled a lot visiting National Guard and Reserve units around the southeast. I spent a lot of time in hotel rooms by myself and the cable didn't always work and it was before the internet was widespread.

I would put a couple of 1/72 scale kits in my tool box and would tinker with the kits. Matchbox kits were ideally suited to this as were many old Airfix kits.

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • From: Podunkville, USA
Posted by rommelkiste on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:42 PM

Toolbox?  I think I just have a tool area, it wont fit in a toolbox.  I cant list everything so how bout a couple of pics?  Everything in the two pics is full and yes, I guess I am a little messy but I dont have a wife!!!!

Nothing ever fits……..and when it does, its the wrong scale.

To make mistakes is human.  To blame it on someone else shows management potential. 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Saturday, May 4, 2013 10:45 AM

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I had to go out and buy a new tool box myself due to increased amounts of paint bottles I've aquired recently. I got mine at Lowes for about $10 ( www.lowes.com/pd_245990-61896-245990_4294770564__ )

In the tray, I keep my glue (tube and liquid), model putty, files, tweezers, brushes, and sprue cutter. The bottom, I store my paint bottles/thinner, hobby sandpaper, pliers (to open sticky/stuck paint bottles) small notepad/scratch pad, a tiny stack of 3x5 index cards.

The top of the toolbox also has two storage lids; each divided in two sections. The left side, I keep stirring sticks from sprues (to mix/stir paint), small clamps. The right side, I keep my glue tip inserts, tiny drill bits and Tamiya yellow masking tape.

I now  use my original old toolbox to store all my Testors spray paint cans.

I took an old unused container of my mom's for future Tamiya paint bottles that I'm sure to add down the road. Perfect for those Tamiya mini paint bottles.

Black Sheep,

     That sounds like an organized setup, thank you for sharing it.

Tags: toolboxes

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Saturday, May 4, 2013 10:51 AM

the Baron

Mine contains:

--3 or 4 pairs of tweezers

--3 sizes of X-Acto razor saws

--An X-Acto handle for Nr 11 blades

--2 handles for the Nr 2 blades or razor saws

--Several files and rasps

--A selection of micro-drill bits and a pin vise

--A 12" ruler, also marked in metric

--A couple of pencils and an ink pen

--Two small jeweller's screwdrivers, slotted tip

--a bunch of spring-loaded clothespins

--Some sandpaper in various grits

--All of my Mussini oil paints

--All of my Testor's gloss enamels in the little square bottles

--A jar of Testor's brush cleaner (may be a refill with mineral spirits at this point)

--A couple of homemade washes, in little jelly jars

--Some of my stash of Model Master paints

--Silly Putty (they were all out of Serious Putty)

--Squadron white putt (I guess that's the serious putty)

--A jar of Dorland's Wax Medium (mixed with oil paints to make them matte)

--An ancient batch of Miliput

My tool box is a white pine artist's box, with an insert tray, that I got from *** Blick.  I stained it with a Jacobean stain, sanded it and sealed it with a clear polyurethane.  It's too small to hold all of my supplies, if I take everything on the road.  I have 2 round cookie tins to store the rest of my paints in jars, another box to store rattlecans, and my water-based acrylics are out on the bench.  I've been thinking about getting a large tackle box or tool chest, to use instead.

Baron,

     That sounds like one well stocked toolbox.  I didn't know that X-Acto made three sizes of saw blades.  I've got the fine and medium what's your third blade?

     Right now I mainly have Testors followed by Model Master, Tamiya is down the road.  Also my paints are stored in an old (and formally empty) shipping box that I received some mixed nuts in.  And it's already getting "crowded" in there. Wink  So I'm going to be looking at another option shortly.

Tags: toolboxes

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Saturday, May 4, 2013 10:58 AM

Dre

Toolbox???   Wait.., this is a portable hobby?Huh?

Dre,

     For some people yes, such as soldiers in the field, for others we do not have the luxury of having a dedicated space to work on our plastic/wood/whatever medium models.  So we need someplace to store our tools and other supplies.

Tags: toolboxes

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:03 AM

rommelkiste

Toolbox?  I think I just have a tool area, it wont fit in a toolbox.  I cant list everything so how bout a couple of pics?  Everything in the two pics is full and yes, I guess I am a little messy but I dont have a wife!!!!

     One word, WOW.

Tags: toolboxes

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Saturday, May 4, 2013 2:50 PM

Guys, it was a (poor) joke....   sorry.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Saturday, May 4, 2013 8:25 PM

Dre

Guys, it was a (poor) joke....   sorry.

Dre,

     No offense was taken, at least by me.  Likewise no offense was meant, at least by me when I pointed out the reasons why some of us might have a toolbox.  I'd love to have the room to have a dedicated model/workroom, and be able to leave my tools/supplies out on the bench 24/7.

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, May 4, 2013 10:59 PM

Same here, I didn't have the luxury of spending a lot of time in one place. As a matter of fact, just back in February I passed the 5 year mark. This is the longest I've lived in one spot since I left high school for college in the fall of 1982.

It's also the reason why I build a lot of 1/72 scale armor; they are very portable and handle traveling well without much damage.

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Sunday, May 5, 2013 6:42 AM

Heh..  I finally have my own place and the joy of being able to just leave stuff out is indescribable.

My family spent plenty of time back in the 70's packing stuff up and moving every two years (including the model stuff), so I do know the experience.  

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 10:31 AM

Rob Gronovius

Same here, I didn't have the luxury of spending a lot of time in one place. As a matter of fact, just back in February I passed the 5 year mark. This is the longest I've lived in one spot since I left high school for college in the fall of 1982.

It's also the reason why I build a lot of 1/72 scale armor; they are very portable and handle traveling well without much damage.

Rob,

     If you're still using the toolbox from your article, I can see how just about most models would fit in it. Wink  Smeg, you could hide a small arsenal in that thing.

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 10:39 AM

Dre

Heh..  I finally have my own place and the joy of being able to just leave stuff out is indescribable.

My family spent plenty of time back in the 70's packing stuff up and moving every two years (including the model stuff), so I do know the experience.  

Dre,

     I can only imagine, as I said, I'd love to have that ability.  But I live in a one bedroom apartment.  So I have to use my kitchen table as my workbench.  Which means that I have to clear it first, then setup my model building gear.  As well as moving my bird into his spare cage in my bedroom, as well as moving my T's into their respective critter keepers, and move them into my bedroom as well, and then close the bedroom door.  I also "banish" my kitty to the bathroom.

     Sadly, it's a lot of work to not only setup but to breakdown so that I can work on my models.  But it's worth it, and everyone is protected, at least I hope so.

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Sunday, May 5, 2013 5:45 PM

That's a tough deal.   I can see the need for a good tool box a little better now.

eds
  • Member since
    February 2010
Posted by eds on Sunday, May 5, 2013 6:51 PM

I have my hobby room where I have about 4 decades worth of accumulated model building and model RR tools. That's a big "toolbox" with too much to list. But I also have a portable modeling toolbox that I can take with me. Some years ago, our local IPMS club stsrted having regular social model building get togethers. After a few months of grabbing a few tools and throwing them in an empty model box to take with me, I decided to get dedicated toolbox.  I found a nice craft/art box at Jo Ann's and with a 50% off coupon from the wife,, got it for reasonable price. It has a large upper section that can hold a couple kit boxes. It is modular and came with two drawer section s that were removable. I have since added a third section.  The drawers are segmented to hold various items. I guickly figured out that it was a PITA to keep grabbing tools from my desk everytime I took it along. So I have it fully stocked to the point I can do everything to build a model except use my airbrush. Including a small battery powered rotary tool, paints, and even a couple band aids for days when I do something klutzy. It is handy to take to contests and shows as an emergency repair kit for things that get broken in transit.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 8:37 PM

Dre

That's a tough deal.   I can see the need for a good tool box a little better now.

Dre,

     Tell me about it.  "Sadly," I'm sure that I'm not the only one here or with any hobby that has to go through that.  We do what we have to.

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, May 5, 2013 8:57 PM

This doesn't count does it??

No....thats the box at the dealer....this is the latest that I have to offer right now....I have upgraded from this but will show later and will include details of the tools, Joe

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 9:20 PM

mustang1989

This doesn't count does it??

No....thats the box at the dealer....this is the latest that I have to offer right now....I have upgraded from this but will show later and will include details of the tools, Joe

Joe,

     Way to go in giving us a heartattack.  That is impressive though.

     Hell, I'd love to just enough room to setup your little setup.  It would be both nice and make my life easier.

Tags: toolboxes

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, May 5, 2013 9:27 PM

Sorry about the cardiac arrest! I moved a bigger desk into the "office' around January and its working fairly well so far. I have a hide a bed couch behind where you see in the second picture am am working on replacing it with a futon.

 As far as having the room for the setup, start small and stay organized! You can have the SMALLEST of work stations and if you are organized it can equal into bigger workspaces than those who have a "larger space " to work. That blue tool box on the desk shown is my best friend for organization.

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Sunday, May 5, 2013 9:37 PM

That is one really great toolbox Mustang. I know because "A long, long, time ago in a galaxy far, far away", I used to sell those little beauties. Put the side boxes on it and it's the greatest toolbox that would hold every tool, paint, and glues you would ever need. Only problem is that you would need a bar stool to sit in front of it and there is no place to put your knees.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Sunday, May 5, 2013 9:44 PM

Man you have that right Fox. Sometimes I have to take a class or look at Service Information on my "barstool" and youre correct....no knee room. I get around it. Always wanted a lime green taco wagon and finally got it. Couldn't be happier with my box!!How long did you work for Snap On?

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posted by Digital_Cowboy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 10:09 PM

mustang1989

Sorry about the cardiac arrest! I moved a bigger desk into the "office' around January and its working fairly well so far. I have a hide a bed couch behind where you see in the second picture am am working on replacing it with a futon.

 As far as having the room for the setup, start small and stay organized! You can have the SMALLEST of work stations and if you are organized it can equal into bigger workspaces than those who have a "larger space " to work. That blue tool box on the desk shown is my best friend for organization.

Joe,

     That's okay, a little shock to the system is good every now and then.Wink

     I'm one of those who have been "blessed" with ADHD.  So being organized is a challenge for me.  And the irony is that not having a permanent space to work on models might not be a bad thing for me.  As it "forces" me to be organized.  It also "forces" me to only work on one kit at a time?

---------------------------------
Digital Cowboy
Live Long and Prosper
On the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe

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