Lucky #13 Questions...All About Tools

[Twokidsnosleep]

TOOL TIME!!!!
Sorry gents, snowy morning to work and busy day got me sidetracked from more important duties like posting THE questions

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
2. Who makes quality tools still?
3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?

[Tomcat64]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
A bit of both, if it's something I've not used before and I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it I'll sometimes go for the cheaper option; but if it's something that I'm going to get a lot of use out of I'll generally try and get the best quality I can afford (and then usually find something better for less!)
2. Who makes quality tools still?
I think Tamiya still make quality tools for the most part, but also Xuron and Dspiae
3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
No I don't think so - although I might come back and edit this one if something comes to mind
4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
Not really a nightmare but I did pay out for a Dspiae circle cutter and while the quality is undoubted it's a bit of a hit & miss affair to get it to cut where I want to. Apparently there's an add-on targeting device which helps but I haven't gone for that yet.
5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
Decent sprue cutters - I used a knife to cut parts from the sprue for years and cutters were a revelation when I got them. Aside from that a sharp knife or scalpel, sanding sticks & humble clothes pegs in varying sizes
6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
Nope
7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
Probably the sprue cutters.

[digger303]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?

I like the good stuff and hate wasting anything so I prefer not to buy cheap tools, but sometimes choices are limited. Either because of cost or just not available. Example atm is I'm thinking of buying a hot foam cutter with table. Now I've looked at the cheaper versions and they aren't that much cheaper and warranty is non existent and I presume parts. So I've got my eye on a Proxon for about 230. Yes I could get a cheaper one or go even cheap for a hand held, but straight cutting might be tricky. The bottom line is if I buy a known good brand it will most likely last me out.

2. Who makes quality tools still?
Hand tools I would go with Tamiya,Xuron,Morton and Swan,Dispae ( not their tweezers),RP Toolz,Small shop and for power tools Proxon.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
Not that I can think of atm.

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
Only thing I can say is there have been a number of tools that have ended up with a heavenly demise.
Tweezers including 2 sets of Dispae and a multitude of the cheapies.
Brushes of course
Dentist tools which I still have , but find little use for in fact have caused more problems than they solved.
Cheap Files I either wear out or gum them up. I paid more for the set I have now.
EDIT.....Not exactly a tool, but the old tube glue that used to come with kits and used to string out everywhere and turn my fingers into great glue gobs.....when I was 10

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
Sharp knives....I prefer scalpels with retractable blades
Good file set and sanding sticks
Good set of brushes with synthetic bristles
single bladed sprue nipper
Electric paint stirrer and a cap opener.
Tweezers
Micro drill set with pin vise.....drill sets aren't always sharpened when buying I found.

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
Not really the old paint brush used to make weld patterns is about all, but I do keep some in the hopes of being able to that.

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
YES Sprue cutters and my paint stirrer and lid opener.

8. Do you have any tools on the bench in easy reach, but never use.Why are they there ?
Yes a jar full of cheap tweezers and pe razor saws. They are there because I just might need them, but probably never will.

[DRUMS01]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?

In the beginning, many years ago, I was all about the cheapest tool I could get. After modeling stuff for years you will find that "cheap" tools most of the time will yield cheap or less than stellar results. I mean, come on man, I have enough natural poor modeling traits that I don't need a tool to help me be worse than I already am (smile). While it doesn't have to be the most expensive, it does have to get high ratings for its functionality and durability.

2. Who makes quality tools still?

This is a very opinionated answer that will vary by geographical location, modelers experience/knowledge, age, etc. For me I think Exacto, Tamiya, Craftsman, Dremel, Princeton, etc.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?

YES, very smooth and usable paint brushes from the "Hobby Lobby" mid and premium lines. They offer brushes for any and all types of painting of any medium. Another is Craftsman for their micro tube cutter for brass and aluminum rod.

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?

Nightmare tool? The old, old, testers paint brushes (many years ago) and cheap tweasers (any).
Heavenly tool? My precision glue applicator, Sprue Cutters, airbrushes, compressor, and quality tweasers.

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeler in your opinion?

I think digger nailed it.

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?

- Old files and brush handles to hold items with holes for painting.
- old cutting board to be used as a airbrush or spray can paint platform.
- old electronic alligator clamps used for paint clips.
- Pipe smokers brass screens, used for various screening applications.

7.What favorite modeling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?

It is a close tie between my sprue cutter (like everyone else), tweasers, diamond files, and micro drill bits. But if I had to pick one, it would be my airbrushes (Paasche H-set SA, and Iwata Eclipse HP CS).

[RangerNeil]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?

Bit of both. Knives/scalpels etc. I will go the extra for because they hold their edge better for longer. Most other things as long as it works I'm not fussed.

2. Who makes quality tools still?

Tamiya, Stanley, Xacto, Swann-Morton.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?

Wife bought me a pack of disposable craft knives last year from HobbyCraft and I was amazed at how good they've been. No name on them just a generic Hobbycraft label.

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?

None really.

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?

Good quality modelling knife/scalpel, cutting mat, normal and reverse action tweezers, sanding sticks, good quality brushes.

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?

Toolmakers clamps wrapped in masking tape are good for odd angles, metal scrapers for scraping filler and plastic

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?

Swann-Morton modelling knife.

[Twokidsnosleep]

You guys never disappoint
Excellent responses gents, just excellent

[aur0ra145]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?

I like quality tools. "Buy once, cry once" I believe is the term.

2. Who makes quality tools still?

Snap-On? I like a lot of Tamiya stuff, namely their sprue cutters. Citadel/Games Workshop/Warhammer 40k, has some good stuff and some trash stuff. Xuron also has good stuff, and some specialty tools.

In the ammunition reloading world. I'm a fan of Lee and RCBS. Quality stuff, and Lee has LOTS of weird calibers you can't find anywhere else (think old military calibers.)

I'm interested to see if God Hand is any good. Though, I can't bring myself to buy them when compared to the Tamiya quality.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?

Tamiya sprue cutters are of great quality and less expensive than I thought considering how nice they are.

Ultimate Apex is also an amazing piece of kit. Really impressed with how mine has performed over the years.

For reloading, Lee was surprisingly well made for the price.

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?

I don't really have any bad stories, generally I got what I expected.

I did have a bullet puller that shattered once. Basically it unseats the bullet via inertia. So you secure the base of the round in a thing and whack it on the ground (bullet point down, the inside of the tool is hollow and the cartridge is suspended in open space.) After a few whacks, the bullet pops out. Well, mine just sort of shattered one day.

Picture of a bullet puller



5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?

Tamiya sprue cutters
Good Xcto knife with a lot of extra blades
A decent rescribing tool (if they're into airplanes)
Padded sanding sticks
Self healing cutting mat
A decent paint brush size 2 (in the $7-$12 range)
Those little eye lash brush things you can use to apply CA glue
Tamiya masking tape
Shish-kabob stick with an alligator clip on the end
Toothpicks
Q-tips
The internet/YouTube - to look up stuff you don't know how to do
Blue tack
A jig to hold your model when working on it
For minis, a painting handle

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?

I've refurbished reloading dies.

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?

Tamiya sprue cutters. They're just so good!

[digger303]

[b
I don't really have any bad stories, generally I got what I expected.

I did have a bullet puller that shattered once. Basically it unseats the bullet via inertia. So you secure the base of the round in a thing and whack it on the ground (bullet point down, the inside of the tool is hollow and the cartridge is suspended in open space.) After a few whacks, the bullet pops out. Well, mine just sort of shattered one day.

Picture of a bullet puller



Tamiya sprue cutters. They're just so good!

Your story reminds me of a time when I borrowed a RCBS version of that tool. I don't normally borrow , but this was offered to me and I only had one bullet to unseat. Anyway I put the bullet in and whacked it and no result so a bit harder next time and the time after that then the damn thing shattered. I told him and he was like don't worry about all OK, but it wasn't for me and I had to go and find a replacement. Should have just gone and bought one straight off the bat and avoided all that.

[Twokidsnosleep]

[b
I don't really have any bad stories, generally I got what I expected.

I did have a bullet puller that shattered once. Basically it unseats the bullet via inertia. So you secure the base of the round in a thing and whack it on the ground (bullet point down, the inside of the tool is hollow and the cartridge is suspended in open space.) After a few whacks, the bullet pops out. Well, mine just sort of shattered one day.

Picture of a bullet puller



Tamiya sprue cutters. They're just so good!

Your story reminds me of a time when I borrowed a RCBS version of that tool. I don't normally borrow , but this was offered to me and I only had one bullet to unseat. Anyway I put the bullet in and whacked it and no result so a bit harder next time and the time after that then the damn thing shattered. I told him and he was like don't worry about all OK, but it wasn't for me and I had to go and find a replacement. Should have just gone and bought one straight off the bat and avoided all that.

Same experience with borrowing tools. My mom would always say “neither a borrower or lender be”
If it was mine it either comes back broken or never comes back at all
If I borrow something it breaks or f ups somehow
So nope don’t touch my tools and don’t touch other’s

[Stokesy44]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?

I'd rather spend a little extra and have stuff that works

2. Who makes quality tools still?

Tamiya stuff is good. I have their diamond file for PE and its beautiful the way it removes burrs and sprue gate points.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?

Not really. I've largely bought stuff because it looks right.

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?

Nightmare would be cheap plastic pegs / clamps. All useless and all thrown away. Heavenly tool would be generic sprue nippers, miniature drill bits, a PE bug bender and the entire Ultimate sander stick range.

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?

A decent knife with replacement blades, sprue nippers and Ultimate sanders

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?

Nope, the need has never arisen and I dont have that skillset anyway.

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?

Any heavenly tool from question 4

[chops1sc]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
I don't think I have spend too much money on tools. The ones I do have had lasted me for a while. There is some very high end stuff out there that I most likely would never need.

2. Who makes quality tools still?
I like Xuron cutters. Tamiya also seems to have a good quality product.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
A few tools from Harbor Freight have lasted me 10+ years!

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
No nightmares, but I made a paint shaker out of a jigsaw and a small clamp!

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeler in your opinion?
Good tweezers, cutters, files. You can build anything with those three.

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
No

7.What favorite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
Probably my Xuron cutters.

[Twokidsnosleep]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
It depends. If starting out new with something I will go cheap unless I know I am invested in the need for the tool and its use...then I would go for the nicer one
Examples: Airbrushing. Started with an inexpensive combo pack Grex and have slowly modified things as I went. The compressor is still working so will run it until it dies and then get a nicer model with a tank.
Still buying cheap diamond files and not investing in the awesome Swiss ones...just not worth it too me

2. Who makes quality tools still?
Yes Tamiya is a good start with tools for modelling
H&S make great airbrushes as do a few others
JLC razor saw from Czech republic

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
The little vise from Ushi Vander Rosen is a cool little tool. I see it also in jewelry maker suppliers

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
Nightmare is my venture in kickstarter for a little pen drill called a Wowstick. What a POS. Chuck tine and only accepts its drills, not the PC board ones everyone has. So first test were weak but it needed a charge so....it literally broke right away when I tried to charge it. All the guts pulled out form the rear USB connection and it has no control anymore. I was trying to be careful, this thing is not robust. They make a drill version and a screwdriver. Avoid like the plague
The GOD hands sprue cutters seem a nightmare for many...super sharp super expensive super dainty and many tips broken
I passed and went Zircon and Tamiya cheap and durable

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
You guys nailed the basics already. The next step up in modelling is airbrush and paint booth after that

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
More so in leather and woodwork I have bought old steel tools and fixed them up.

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
Benchvent paint booth...absolutely love it
My little Dremel battery powered drill...it was a pumpkin carver bought from Home Depot. Wish I bought a few.

[Kevthemodeller]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
I always go for quality, that said it can depend on what I'm buying a tool for. A one off job, probably just go for something good enough to do the job.

2. Who makes quality tools still?
Tamiya everything they make is top quality and works, closely followed by Mr Tool, others are very hit and miss. Like kits these days there's a lot of repackaging of others products often at wildly varying prices .

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
Yes Trumpeter and their revit wheel

4.What nightmare tool or purchase?
Dreaded ebay Chinese fakes, passed off for Dremel
How about a heavenly tool story?
Anything Tamiya superb tools

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
Tamiya sprue cutters, model knife and files

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
Yes old drills as scribers and chisels

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
Tamiya sprue cutters and their tweezers

[BigWall]

1. Do you spend more on good tools or like replaceable less expensive ones?
It depends on the tool and the use. I usually end up going middle of the line.

2. Who makes quality tools still?
Xacto, Tamiya. I agree that the JLC razor saws were a surprisingly good find.

3.Has a company surprised you with unexpected quality tool?
Again, the JLC razor saw

4.What nightmare tool or purchase? How about a heavenly tool story?
No nightmare stories. The first time I used the Tamiya side cutters I was really amazed at how easily they cut thru the sprue.

5.What are the essentials tools for a brand new modeller in your opinion?
Razor knife, side cutters, good brushes and an airbrush with a compressor.

6.Have you ever refurbished or repurposed an old tool/machine to a new use ?
No

7.What favourite modelling tool will they have to pry from your cold dead hands?
Probably my Tamiya side cutters