Modellings tips and answers - essential modelling tools - Videos

This week in history

On Monday 22nd November 1965, the West Coast Main Line (WCML) railway operating between London and Euston achieved full electric operation.  The WCML had come under the ownership of the London Midland and Scottish (LMS) Railway in 1923 and was subsequently passed to British Railways (BR) after the Nationalisation of the Railways in 1947.  The process of electrifying the route commenced in the late 1950s, with the entire route from London to Glasgow being fully electrified by the early 1970s.  The electrification of the route allowed the introduction of Intercity services operating at up to 110mph.  Further upgrades followed that enabled the introduction of the Class 390, Pendolino high-speed passenger trains in 2001.

One of the intriguing aspects of being a modeller is that quite often it seems that more time is spent looking after, cleaning and maintaining the tools of the trade than is spent conducting serious modelling.  For many of us, this is just an accepted aspect of the hobby we love, as tools that are properly cared for and maintained will help ensure the best results for any project.  Inevitably, tools have a certain shelf life and will eventually need to be replaced.  Amtech are a British Company based in West London.  They have specialised in producing tools for a wide range of hobbies and interests, including modelmaking.  Let's take a look at a selection of items from the Amtech range that could be useful for modellers looking to upgrade or breath new life into their modelling toolboxes. 

For those modeller's who are regular layout builders, a mini drill set is an ideal tool set to have to hand.  For those looking for a compact set with a good selection of bits, the 60 piece mini-drill set maybe the ideal solution.  With its array of drill bits, sanding drums and cutting disks it will be a versatile addition to any toolbox.  Regular layout builders may find that the 162 piece mini drill set, with its larger selection of bits and more powerful drill may better suit their needs.  Conversely, for those simply looking for a versatile tool to assist in a build, the 230v 135W mini rotary tool may suffice for their needs.

Inevitably, the drill bits and other components used by hand and power tools will need periodic replacement due to wear and tear.  Amtech also offers a good selection of options for modellers who may well be content with their power tools but who are looking to replace accessories.  The 6-piece diamond cutting disk set  contains a selection of sizes of cutting disks that can be used on a variety of materials; 2 shank mandrels are also included.  Similarly, the 12 piece polishing tool set contains a variety of accessories, including mounted stones, together with steel and nylon wheel mounted brushes.  Another useful set is the 25 piece precision screwdriver bit set, this contains a selection of Flat Head, Phillips and Torx configured drill bits.

Diorama and scratch builders may use a variety of materials including brass pipes.  Cutting these to size can be a bit of a problem but the mini pipe cutter is sure to be a useful toolbox addition for those working regularly with brass pieces or even plastic tubing as it covers from 3mm to 22mm diameter.  The soldering and gluing kit is one of those extremely versatile sets beloved of hobbyists the World over.  In addition to a 30W soldering iron and a 10W glue gun with glue sticks, the set also contains a useful clamp and magnifier stand, which could prove highly useful for those small and fiddly tasks.  For modellers building layouts or dioramas, the 35-80W cordless glue gun will allow them to work without the inconvenience of trailing power leads.  This is sure to be especially useful in locations where power outlets maybe minimal or unavailable.

Having the right tool for the right job goes a long way to seeing the job done.  Although Amtech do produce a headset, many modellers still prefer to use an individual eyepiece for the flexibility and ease of use it provides.  The 3 piece eye loupe set contains eyepieces of differing magnification offering optimal comfort for the job in hand.  The 3 LED telescopic torch is a good example of those tools that appear every now and then and soon become indispensable.  In addition to being a compact hand held torch, it also is telescopic with a flexible head.  In addition to its flexibility of use, the head is also magnetic, making it an ideal pick up tool for those metal components that inevitably and frustratingly insist on answering the call of gravity.  Finishing off our selection this week is the 200mm (8") combi sharpening stone.  Able to be used wet or dry, this stone has optional coarse or medium grit surfaces, offering great flexibility in keeping workshop knives and blades in tip top condition.

For many modellers, the time and expense spent on maintaining and purchasing new tools may equal or indeed exceed that spent on the subject models themselves.  That said, having a diverse and comprehensive set of  tools that can provide a solution for all occasions is a vital plus for any modeller.  Sometimes old tools can be replaced like-for-like.  On other occasions, it is good to invest in a brand new set to help ensure 'future-proofing' the toolbox for subsequent projects.  Whatever the need, the comprehensive selection of regular and innovative tools of quality makes Amtech a good option for any modeller looking to upgrade their toolbox. 

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