Exercise Room: spa: Besides the Stockton's exercise machine, there were photo ads in Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine for about 12 months although not in the most recent issues that pictured all sorts of exercise equipment including dumb-bells, slant board, that waist machine with the belt, etc.  Maybe someone out there has back issues---I don't have any here.

Also, don't forget the Jacuzzi and lots of towels strewn about the floor and stall showers with those rubbery slip-proof mats.  I would include tennis shoes or running shoes, bathing suits, dirty socks, headbands, shorts, tennis rackets, gym bags, kickboards, sunlamp and massage tables too.  I have no idea how you could make those "Gripmaster" hand exercisers that all good spas and therapists have around to work on your grip----in real life they come in four different strengths.

GlobalSMB

Exercise Room: Anyone interested in exercise equipment or game   rooms,  http://www.miniaturesandmore.com    may have what you're looking for.

Janet in N.J.

Throwaway paintbrush - cut a pipe cleaner into half. bend it half again, grab the bent middle and twist the ends a few times. The size of the job is indicated by the size of the loop you make. It holds up well, is stiff enough to put some pressure on, holds paint well and can be tossed without much guilt. . . . A tiny loop in the end of a single wire also works pretty well for a tiny paint, glue, varnish applicator. You bend it so that the cut end fuzz won't come off in your wet stuff.

Judie - Daytona Beach, FL

Bondex Glue: I found some glue at Home Depot that is "to die for".   I have been gluing such things as paneling, baseboards, window trim, etc.; all things that can not be clamped.   I have used wood glue which requires me to hold the piece in place for quite awhile.  I have used Quick Grab successfully, but ran out of it.  Therefore I was looking for something that would stick quickly and assure a tight bond.  I found small bottle of a glue called BONDEX, an epoxy glue.  It is applied with a brush that looks like a nail polish brush.  The glue is not as thick as Quick Grab and applies very evenly.  Even though the bottle is small, it goes a long way based upon the method of application. IT STICKS IMMEDIATELY!!!

Claire March

Alternative to Quick Grab: Awhile back it was rumored that Quick Grab would no longer be available.   This turned out not to be true.   I did find another glue which has the same properties but I think works as well and is easier to use.   It is called Magna-Tak 809 by Beacon.   It is carried by Dee's Delights and should be available at your miniature shop.   It comes in an 8 oz. squeeze bottle, is easier to use than the tube and is less stringy.

Ruth, Grass Valley

Lathes: The discussion about the Anker Duplicator and other lathes has been   informative.   I have a couple of technical items to help tie this all  together. Dr. Bob's idea of using a plumbing fixture is problematic because  there is no 3/4-16 pipe thread that I can find in Machinery's   Handbook.  Pipe threads are usually different.

George Hoffman gave a great history of Anker's equipment.   The person  who bought the overhead shaper from Bonnie Klein is Rick Lane.   Rick changed the collet system and also uses a Ryobi die grinder.  I have seen one of his new machines at Castine.  Perhaps someone who has used this machine at the Guild School can comment on Rick's modifications.

A far as I know the Anker Duplicator lathe and the Simms lathe are both made from Taig components.  I don't think the Taig is set up for a number 1 Morse Taper in the head stock.  Their collets fit directly on the spindle and are held in place with a 3/4-16 nut so that taper is too steep.  George may know how the Guild School modified   these Taig machines to be more useful for miniatures.

Smaller Than Life does not carry any Anker machinery.  We did purchase the templates and template making equipment from Anker and Dean Jensen so that service is available.  Pam and I just couldn't allow the templates to be lost when Dean retired.   We get our lathe duplicators to fit the Carbatec Lathe we sell.  We also distribute Sherline and the Cameron drill press.   BTW both the Carbatec and Sherline use the #1 MT in the head stock spindle.

Also we do not sell any of Anker's tapes.  I think NAME may have a set to lend to their members.

Pam & Pete Boorum

Picking up objects::  As I was flipping through a gardening catalog yesterday (yet another hobby--well, two if you count the catalog shopping), I saw one of those suction bulb planters meant to help one pick up the tiniest individual seeds for sowing.   It comes with several different sized needles for different seeds.   This would be great for minis, especially picking up things like FIMO strawberries to place in a bowl, etc.  This would also eliminate a release problem like using a tacky toothpick or similar would present (OK, I've got the item where I want it, now how do I get it off the toothpick??).

Lynette in WNC

Dremel Cutter: I have found the best cutter for my Dremel in American Science and

Surplus.   It was advertised as a diamond cutter, and it only cost $2.95.  I got it several months ago, and I use it all the time, but it doesn't seem to be wearing out at all.  I think it is still offered in their catalogue, but if it isn't, you can get a diamond cutter from the dealer that carries Dremel for $13.00.  I have one of those, too, but I like the ASS cutter better, because it is bigger.  I recommend this company to everyone, as it has a lot of good stuff.   You can look them up on the Internet, and order their catalogue on line.

DeeDee in Carmel Valley

Curtain Brackets: I use clip-on earring backs (bulk packs available in jewelry section of Michaels, Joann's etc.) as curtain brackets.  Pull the rubber pad off (save for baby-bottle nipple) and paint or paper the round back to match your wallcovering,  and glue the back to the wall with the hinge toward the floor.  Once glue has dried, gently open the hinge and set the curtain rod into the bracket, then close.   Looks very like real-size decorative brass brackets and allows you to change curtains whenever you want.

Loretta

Storing paint: I store mine in plastic boxes, made to store shoes.   I arrange them by color and store them upside down.  This way I can see the color and the paint doesn't dry out and is always at the top when I need it.   No waiting for it to come out of the bottle.  I also store glue bottles upside down, especially when I'm using them, (put the cap back on, of course).    Another tip for organizing your workroom is to store strip wood, trim and dowels in PVC pipe cut to the length you need.  My husband built an extra deep shelf for me when he made the cabinets in my workroom, the PVC comes in various diameters and I sort the wood by size into the different PVC pipes.  When I open the cabinet door I see just the ends of the PVC and the wood.  I hope that makes sense.

Also if you use a lot of stains, you can stain a scrap of wood the color of the stain in the can and glue it to the lid.  You can see at a glance what color stain is in the can.  Do be aware that different wood will accept the stain differently, but it will be a starting place.

Lillie in Texas