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Tools That I Use
Everyone has their favorite tools -- the tools they feel they just couldn't work without. These are mine. ;)
While I use more tools than listed here, these are the ones I use most frequently.
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Tool: Magnifying Visor
Uses: Up until a few years ago, I was extremely near-sighted. Then I had Lasik Surgery -- I wouldn't trade being "glasses-free" for anything
in the world, but now I'm slightly far-sighted (I use "readers" for books with small print).
Because of that, I really need magnification to see what I'm doing at 1:144. The first few times I wore a "magnifying visor", it gave me a headache.
The focal point is small and switching back and forth between "up close" and "reaching for something" (such as a paint brush) was hard.
But after a few days, I was 100% comfortable with the visor and now I don't do ANY small work (even larger scales) without it (and no more headaches).
However, if you flip the lens up and forget you're wearing it when you answer the front door, be prepared for some odd looks. ;)
Cost: $17 - $35 (dependent on brand)
Source: I picked mine up at a local hobby store. I'm not familiar with any of the shops online that carry them (so I don't feel
comfortable recommending a certain site), but go to your favorite search engine and search on "magnifying visor" -- you'll find a number of vendors.
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Tool: Tweezers
Uses: Picking up and holding teeny tiny stuff. I have both really cheap tweezers and expensive tweezers -- and I use them all with frequency.
If I'm holding a piece that is to be painted or glued, I use the cheap tweezers. In the first picture to the left, the cheap tweezers are on top -- notice how
blunt and clunky the tips look in comparison to the expensive tweezers.
But if I need to pick up and place a 1/2mm no-hole bead, it's the expensive tweezers all the way. In the second picture, I'm chasing a 1/2mm no-hold bead around
a plate, I tried VERY hard to pick it up, to no avail. But in the third picture, I easily pick up an even smaller no-hole bead on the first try -- with the expensive tweezers.
Cost: the cheapies cost anywhere from under $1.00 to $5.00 or $6.00. The expensive ones start around $20.
Source: the cheapies can be found in just about any pharmacy or grocery store. Unfortunately, I don't recall where I bought my good
tweezers, but if I had to replace them, I'd probably give the Tweezerman Point Tweezers
a shot.
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Tool: Bamboo Skewers
Uses: Applying glue -- I like these better than toothpicks, because they have a much longer "handle" and don't disappear easily. Additionally,
the tip can be easily whittled (with a razor blade or craft knife) to as thick or thin as you like depending on the application. When the tip is covered with
dried glue, just shave off the end and you're good to go.
Because these are not as smooth as toothpicks, they're also good for picking up bits of floral/landscaping foam and teeny dabs of paint.
Because they're cheap, they're also a good "throw-away" for stirring/mixing paints -- you can cut or break one skewer into mutiple stirrers. However, if you break
the bamboo, watch out for splinters. ;)
Oh and the teeny mailbox in the Queen Anne Mansion? I carved that out of a bamboo skewer. ;)
Cost: $2 - $3 for 100
Source: Where I live, these are easily available -- I got mine at the local grocery store. If you can't find them
locally, try looking online at BBQ or cooking supply sites.
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Tool: Ceramic Tile
Uses: This is my workspace. While I have the luxury of a six foot table to work on, I need a surface area that takes a beating and is easily
cleaned (I'm a messy person). I tried a go at working with polymer clay once -- it didn't go well, but I'll always appreciate what I learned in the process.
Using a piece of standard bathroom tile as a workspace is one of the best tips I picked up -- you can get paint on it and either wipe it clean or scrape it
clean when the paint has dried. You can even scrape off glue -- just don't let it sit over night or the glue will be there forever. ;)
Cost: $0.75 - $2 for 1
Source: Home Depot or other home improvement stores.
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