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What would everyone recommend for tool sets to get started? Someone told me to get a complete set of bits for the Dremel and that would cover everything I would need, is this true? Also what is recommended for painting the subs once the building is near completion? Any and all recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
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Whatcha building? What type of model is it? plastic? grp? epoxy?
There's basic tools that you need for cutting, filing, sanding. depending on what you have to do in one of the mediums above (opening flood holes, for example) may determine what the best tool material is for the job. Since I also carve decorative wood birds, I use a Foredom shaft grinder, an NSK bench grinder, swiss type sandpaper, and my bits could be diamond, carbide, steel, etc.
Paint can be rattle can, airbrush applied acrylics, enamel... -
The model I am planning on building is the Dumas Akula kit, it is a vacuum formed kit. I know not all kits will be the same or made out of the same material but I thought I could get a set of tools that would work on all media just about the same. Thinking of this, that is why I was wondering if Dremel or Dremel style tools would work or if there are better tools out there.Comment
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For vacu-formed you do not need a lot. For that matter most styrene type kits (Revell/Moebius Skipjack, Revell Gato, Bronco Type XXIII, etc.) can be built with minimum tools.
A Dremel is very nice to have especially if you add a foot pedal to adjust speed. I use a Foredom as well (currently, It hangs on an IV pole so I can move it around), but it is the same usage as a Dremel. With styrene, high speed turns plastic into molten blobs. Diamond bits are great with fiberglass and will work with plastic, but again speed control is important.
I use Bondene glue for my plastic to plastic bonding. CA glue (Cyanoacrylate), and RTV Rubber for other bonding needs. I like my coping saw for cutting out areas on the hull or fabricating something. X-acto blades and knife are essential. I also use my flush cut pliers for cutting brass wire/rods.If you can cut, drill, saw, hit things and swear a lot, you're well on the way to building a working model sub.Comment
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A Dremel tool is a very useful item to have in your toolbox, but it is not a panacea to all things tools. For building the Dumas Akula I'm not sure I would use a Dremel tool given the nature of a vac-formed hull. The tools that I would suggest include:- set of small or medium size files
- X-acto knife
- sandpaper of multiple grits, preferably wet-or-dry and 320, 220, 600 grits
- steel scale/ruler (for measuring as well as cutting straight lines)
- set of small screw drivers - both straight and phillips
I'm certain others will have additional/different suggestions.
-hope this helps,
JeffRohr 1.....Los!Comment
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Yep, for a vacuformed model, Jeff nailed it. Maybe some type of spot filler, bondo, automotive lacquer putty, glazing... I might add get a slew of replacement #11 x-acto blades, too.Originally posted by JWLaRue View Post
If you do go for any time of Dremel, NSK, Gesswein, Foredom - speed control (either by dial or foot) is absolutely essential.Comment
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