Tools and Glue Page: 7 |
Source for fine sandpaper: Try auto body shops (at least up to 1500 grit) and places that sell tools to stone sculptors. Tom Berkner |
Two ideas for fine sandpaper: Jackie from Maryland |
Custom Paper Punches : Control Concepts (used to be PJ Meith) can do custom punches - they charge $100 (one time charge) - for a custom die charge - punches are $30.00 each - - BUT you need to buy 12 of these punches. Their phone number is 800-745-6551. Carolina Stamp has a large selection of punches, and their web site also says they will make custom punches - I didn't see any prices here, but the punches appear to be the same ones manufactured by Control Concept - and I know that they are no longer making the large number of dies they used to make. http://www.carolinastamp.com/index.html Sue in NC |
Reducing the thickness of wood: The Preac thickness sander is made to reduce wood in thickness. It has the advantage of leaving none of the chip out experienced with planers on very thin lumber. It is very easy to use and the abrasive sleeves last a long time. Works on any thickness or type of wood up to 3" width. I just put it up on the you-asked page of http://smallerthanlife.com. http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~smallife/you_asked.htm Planing mini lumber can be done using a full size planer and a backing board. It works pretty well down to 1/8". Thinner than that, I get lots of tear out and lose too much lumber up the dust collector. This is especially true with the quarter sawn cherry we prefer to use. The Carbatec miniature lathe and duplicator are also up on the web site. http://www.nh.ultranet.com/~smallife/carbatec.htm Pete Boorum |
Hob-e-tack: I found a product called Hob-e-tack at my local hobby store that carries train supplies. It's specifically designed for landscaping, stays wet but is really sticky-- you can place things and then re-arrange them a bit but they'll stay where you put them. Susan L., Atlanta |
Unused tools: Yes, I have many tools that I love, but just don't dig out unless I'm doing a big project. I too am guilty of using my exacto instead of my wonderful chopper. Masking tape is easier to get to than my gluing jig. Toothpicks make fine paint brushes that don't have to be cleaned. My jeans and t-shirts make wonderful rags for wiping hands while I'm still wearing them! LOL and...yuck...most mothers know that a good spit wash works well in a pinch!!! VBG Debby in KY |
Museum putty: I found a few online sites for the museum putty: http://www.safetystore.com/Quakehold.asp ($10.95) Celeste in Boston |
Museum Putty and Gel: I have both and the brochure lists two web sites: http://www.museum3pack.com http://www.quakehold.com I haven't checked them out, but this is the company that makes them. Ruth, Grass Valley, CA |
Clear Museum Gel: This is the first time that I am posting but glad that I can answer this question. I have a jar of that gel. It is a clear and invisible temporary adhesive for securing your most prized possessions and is removable without a mess. It is a liquid that transforms into a solid film over time to create a secure bond and is completely removable and reusable. It takes about 30-60 min. for a complete adherence and, during that time reshapes itself to the bottom of the object you are securing. I ordered mine from QVC and paid $11.25 + tax and shipping. You can call their product finder number and they will help you or email me and I can give you the item no. I will post it if I can do that. Karen in Wisconsin |
Quake Wax: If the clear substitute for Fun Tac referred to recently is Quake Wax (I'm trying to read five months' worth of SSD backwards so I don't know if this has been mentioned yet - and no, not literally backwards, but I might as well be for the time it's taking - never leave your computer for three months unless you absolutely have to), I've used this and *technically* I prefer it to Fun Tac, because of the color and the fact that it does not lose its grip the way Fun Tac can. But it's sticky, and I also tend to get into messes with it (hair, hands, objects not requiring it), so lately I've avoided it. "Small quantities" are supposedly available from the following address: Conservation Resources Int. Melissa |
Quake Wax: Getting into the proverbial other ball of wax once more (regarding sticking small objects up, or down), I think the clear gel might be Quakehold, which is - I guess from some googling - equivalent to Quakewax but not the same thing. I haven'tused the former. The latter is a museum-use quality "microcrystalline"(?) wax for adhering objects temporarily permanently, or permanently temporarily, or whatever, which does not stain, or set up, or fall off in high temperatures. Melissa |
Mini-Hold I have found the Mini-Hold does stain. Be careful using it on wallpaper where you might want that section exposed later on. I find that it is very difficult to remove and therefore I do not use it when I go to shows. It also gets stiff with time. I carry a similar product but it is a bit softer and easier to put where you want. One thing I like to do with the wax is make a pea size ball and put it on the end of a toothpick. Then you can stick little hard to hold stuff into it to paint. Deanna from beautiful downtown Thiensville |
Mini Hold: As I fly to all the shows I do, holding my plants and flowers securely in the plastic boxes is a major concern. I have tried all the products discussed but the one nobody has mentioned works the best for me.....plain old Rubber Cement! It is available at hobby and office supply stores for around $1.50. If you want to move something the old cement just rolls off and doesn't stain paper. If it holds my plant pots in their containers after they have been thrown around by the airlines it should hold minis in place in roomboxes etc! *** Rubber Cement can damage some finishes. Use with caution or test first. *** Jennie, MrsArt Minis |
Mini-Hold: Just wanted to add a word of caution about Mini-Hold. If you live in a climate that gets hot in summer, above 25C (about 80F), the wax will melt and your pictures will go sliding down your walls. Yes, this is the voice of experience talking. Pat M, London, ON |
Architect's Scale: It’s a ruler that has three sides instead of two, and is triangular shaped. That is, it’s not a triangle per se, it’s more like a bar of Toblerone chocolate. Each side has two edges, and there is a different scale on each edge. I hope I’m making myself understood! Anyway, there are scales for 1” = 1’, ½” = 1’ and ¼” = 1’. There are others, too, but they aren’t relevant to us miniaturists. Usually, there is a regular ruler in inches, too. To use the scale, find the side marked 1” or 1” = 1’. You will see that starting at 0, it is broken up into increments of inches, each of which stands for one foot. On the other side of 0, there is an inch that is divided into 12 smaller increments (instead of the usual 16 of a standard ruler), each of which stands for one inch, and is marked as such. You will also see that the ½” scale starts at the other side of the ruler, and the two sets of numbers crossing each other on the same edge of the ruler can be a bit confusing at first. Anyway, if you have a 1/12 scale dresser, and you want to see how tall it would be in real life, you can measure it with the scale, and see exactly what it comes out to be. Conversely, if you scan a book that is 14” wide, you can reduce it and print it out, and then check with the scale if it is 14” in scale. All of this works with ½” and ¼” scales, too. I don’t think you will easily find a metric 1/12 scale, as they are divided in tenths. However, a miniatures store might have something for you. Architect’s scales can be found at office supply stores, in the drafting department. Jonathan in Israel |
Inch rule with metrics; I have a 6" pocket steel rule that has inches and metrics on the same face only along opposite edges. These can be found in any store that sells drafting supplies. Drbob...Delray Beach FL |
Measuring info as well as place to buy rulers: http://www.lollypop.nu/otherstuff.htm http://www.draftingdealsonline.com/index2.htm http://www.tjtrains.com/page46.htm http://miniatures.about.com/library/101/blscale.htm http://www.jubileerose.com/8115.htm And this site has printable minis in 1:24 and other scales: http://www.printmini.com/printables/ph.shtml Nursemini |
1 inch scale ruler: In looking through my tools I came across a ruler which was made by New England Hobby Supply. On the face of it are regular inch marking on one edge and 1"to 1' marking on the other edge. On the back are decimal equivalents for number drills; reference table of tap drill sizes for small screws; and a measurement conversion chart. This is all useful information. New England Hobby Supply has a web site at: http://www.nehobby.com I didn't find the ruler on the site, but I am sure that any good miniature store can get them - at least I hope so as it is a great tool. Ann Hendricks |
Mini Hold: I've posted before how much I dislike MiniHold or any other wax product. This stuff does absorb into wallpaper and stain the wallpaper. We've seen the damage it can do in some items we've received at the museum. The wax will actually absorb color from the wood it is on. It seems that people who have donated stuff to us that created in the 70s and 80s were really hooked on this stuff and used it to attach their shelves to the wall, doors, windows, curtains, and even dressed an elaborate bed using wax to hold the fabric to the bed and canopy. The wax turned red and I assume it was from the wood or perhaps aging (although other wax has retained its clear properties). It has been a real hassle to make these rooms/houses wax-free. I have worked with this wax removal so much that I HATE it with a passion. We have used the Fun Tack to adhere some things housed in a lit cabinet. It has melted and pictures have slid down the wall and if a chair is adhered to the floor, there is a puddle of Fun Tack under the chair leg. I don't like this stuff either. In my own house, I've glued things some things (glassware on shelves, etc), and used the earthquake glue to position furniture and some knick-knacks. It will remove wallpaper if you attempt to move a picture or wallhanging, though. My house is on a turntable and things must be anchored securely or they fall off shelves, etc. My own opinion, of course -- but speaking from our experience at the museum, I wouldn't use a wax product. I've tried the clear Museum Gel and I haven't found that it works very good with the minis. Fay in St. Louis |
Rubber cement: I saw a comment about using rubber cement to hold things and I wanted to say something about it. I use it to at shows to hold down tea sets in an acrylic box. It does work very nicely and the person just picks up the box and takes the whole thing home. I also use it on lids for teapots and ginger jars. I tell people to soak it in hot water to release the cement. The glue hardens with time and if you try to pry it off, you can crack the piece. I would not use it to hold things in my dollhouse as it can damage furniture. If you get something by mail or at a show that has rubber cement, soak it in very hot water and pry it off gently. If it's stuck, keep soaking it in hot water. Carol, S P Miniatures |
| This category has 1046 tips of 10312 tips in the archives. Previous 20 | Next 20 Page 7 of 53. |
|
Browse the database (all entries) |