Scrimpers & Tightwads corner.

[wonwinglo]

*** Yes very useful stuff,I also use it for masking tricky bits as well such as wheels,plugging intakes etc prior to painting,good tip Nigel,it is on two for one offer at the moment before Christmas as well,scrimpers take note.

or use blue tak ( i do)

[Guest]

Not that I recommend this method, but I am reminded of how the builder of a 30 foot yawl I once had obtained the lead keel. It was right after the Second World War and he would take evening walks in his neighborhood and remove the lead weights from the tires of his neighbors. He started in 1946 and by 1950, he had enough lead to pour the keel !

[wonwinglo]

*** That reminds me of another true story where a factory worker built a car in stages by smuggling parts out in his lunchbox,the bigger bits were easily obtained by 'scratching' body panels and declaring them scrap,these would then be removed as and when convenient to himself from scrap sillages placed near a fence around the perimeter of the complex,oddly enough he got caught when a data plate went missing and had to be accounted for by the works forman,that last final but vital detail got him some porridge.

Not that I recommend this method' date=' but I am reminded of how the builder of a 30 foot yawl I once had obtained the lead keel. It was right after the Second World War and he would take evening walks in his neighborhood and remove the lead weights from the tires of his neighbors. He started in 1946 and by 1950, he had enough lead to pour the keel ![/quote']

[wonwinglo]

Scrimpers corner-Canopies from pop bottles.

What do you do with those plastic pop bottles ? probably like everyone just throw them away,but did you know that really good canopies can be made from them for flying models or even larger plastic models etc ? this is what you do-Firstly you need to make a solid wood or plaster mould of the shape of the canopy,this must be able to fit inside the bottle after first lopping off the nd near the neck of the bottle,hold the bottle in some ovengloved hands,then with an heat gun start to play heat evening all over the plastic surface,slowly it will start to shrink around the inner pattern,it may take a bit of practise to get used to working out the creases,but once mastered it is a very useful technique.

Sometimes you can find those cheap large money banks in the shape of bottles,these are ideal for those larger canopies.

To cut to shape immerse the canopy in warm water,this stops the scissors possibly cracking any brittle bits of plastic,practise makes perfect,so start hoarding those favourite drinks bottles,but they must be on the plastic variety.

[wonwinglo]

Time for a Scrimpers tip-uses for Ice Cream tubs.

Had to stock up with Araldite today,the Red Baron project has exhausted my supply,now here is a quick tip for what is the best thing to mix up such two part epoxy adhesives ? well what do you do with those flexible plastic ice-cream tubs ? I bet they go straight in the bin,well save a couple because turned upside down they make excellent mixer bases for resins etc,once the material is dry just crack off the surplus and use it again,ice creal spoons etc make ideal mixers as well.

A simple tip but highly effective.

These tubs also make ideal storage containers as well,label them up with a permanent marker pen either on the side,or on the top lid.

[Guest]

i`ve used a small tupperware dish for that exact same purpose barry, one that had seen it`s days for food storage, and as you say if you flex around the sides of teh tub excess dried resin just breaks away and your ready to start all over again

[wonwinglo]

Scrimpers corner-Useful metal stock.

You just keep finding things useful for our hobby,today I noticed some packing cases being dismantled,around them was some great looking wide metal strapping,a quick word with the chap handling the claw hammer and he let me have a few strips,the material will be just ideal for making small brackets and fittings for models,best of all it cuts nicely with good old tinsnips.

[wonwinglo]

Scrimpers corner-Source for fine wire.

Another great source for REAL wire that is tiny-gauge in the form of stuff from a computer modem. The type that the phone line plugs into. There is a small transformer on these modems. Pull it off with a pair of pliers and peel back the wrapping (usually tape). There's usually about 20 - 30 feet of what amounts to 30 to 40 ga wire. This stuff is so incredibly fine in size it's amazing. Carefull unwind it and stretch it between two sets of pliers to get the folds out of it. Apply with CA.

Modems here are pretty much give-aways; you cannot even really sell them.

[wonwinglo]

Srimpers thoughts on Compressors.

Some interesting Scrimpers thoughts on compressors,my thanks to 'Jon'-

Freon compressors used in refrigeration are nothing more than regular air comressors made quiet.

I have seen a few airbrush compressors that make use of refrigerant compressors and a small tank for absolutely quiet running. The make no more noise than your refrigerator.

The only problem with them is that they are $600.

I had a refrigerant compressor a few years ago, but the problem I had was oily mist getting into the air line. I tossed it out after not being able to make it work.

Recently, someone I met online said he used a long length of air hose with a water/oil trap on the end of the hose. He said it works great. Just add a pressure switch and it's ready to run.

Anyone else have any experience with this sort of stuff?

[wonwinglo]

Scrimper on the prowl-Foam blocks.

Enjoying a walk today,and stumbled across another source of good modelling material,as I passed some building work I noticed some blocks of pink foam offcuts,these had been cut off those large planks of insulation board used in buildings,well as the lorries were just running over them I salvaged a few blocks to take home with me ( the good wife is used to me now ! )

If ever you have the need to make things like bulky cowlings this material is ideal as a master pattern,you just cover the surface with layers of brown paper much the same as making paper mache at school,in the future I will do a tutorial on the methods employed.

Also for fill in blocks where weight carries a penalty this is ideal.

So keep your eyes peeled near builders yards etc,they just throw big lumps of the stuff away,our canals and waterways is also full of the stuff floating on the water,the dirty edges are easily sanded clean with a surform or similar.

[wonwinglo]

Scrimpers new discovery-Boxes for crystals.

The wife was just about to throw out her tablet box when I salvaged it from the waste bin,you can buy similar boxes from the model shop at three times the price,ideal for storing those tiny RX & TX crystals that rattle around in the bottom of your model box,you can never locate them when required,here is the answer multiple plastic pop open boxes in rows,which are also ideal for storing spare glo-plugs as well.

[Guest]

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