My bench and not so special tools

[TLOC]

I have been working at the bench making wire armatures trees. Here is my overloaded messy work bench, located under a portion of the layout and also used as my programming track.

The not special tool is the old wife approved frying pan. I kept making foil trays when I sprinkled leaves on the wire branches. When it comes time to pour back the overage, it was a pain. Now I sprinkle over the pan and whatever it is coated with works great for pouring back in the bag. TomO

 

[santafewillie]

Great idea! Maybe it would improve my attitude towards making trees.

 

[JazzDad]

Nice looking trees, too.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

I need to try that idea. The Mrs. may never miss one of her frying pans.

Greg

 

[TLOC]

Terry said she was tossing this one not even good enough for St. Vincent DePaul. I said I’ll take it and she laughed. It just makes cleanup and reusing the leaf material so much easie.

TomO

 

[Espeefan]

These showed up Saturday. A kit with four sanding sticks. 240, 320, 400, and 500 grit, plus 5 spare belts for each one. Got them off of Amazon. Not terribly expensive, and if you work with wood to any degree, they are great.

 

[TLOC]

Good to see these Alan. I have been tempted to pull the trigger on these. My main building is with styrene very little wood. Thanks for sharing.

TomO

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Alan, Those look neat! I have been making sanding sticks all my life using various grits of paper.

 

[Espeefan]

Alan, Those look neat! I have been making sanding sticks all my life using various grits of paper.

I usually buy the cheap foam core emery boards at Sally's Beauty Supply or Wal Mart but these are especially useful for weathering and distressing scale lumber. there is quite a process to go through in some of the craftsman kits. Graining with a fine razor saw blade to enhance grain, removing fuzzies with fine steel wool, adding knots and also distressing and damaging individual boards. I need the stiffness and the fine edges these provide for that. This is not my work but illustrates what these techniques can yield when properly done:

 

[Sole2021]

I have been working at the bench making wire armatures trees. Here is my overloaded messy work bench, located under a portion of the layout and also used as my programming track.

The not special tool is the old wife approved frying pan. I kept making foil trays when I sprinkled leaves on the wire branches. When it comes time to pour back the overage, it was a pain. Now I sprinkle over the pan and whatever it is coated with works great for pouring back in the bag. TomO View attachment 117922

Great looking trees, how did you manage to get your wife's blessing to have a cozy spot like that?

 

[Warner rails]

I need to try that idea. The Mrs. may never miss one of her frying pans.

Greg

My wife's little bullet mixer went missing 4yrs ago. Lol..

 

[Rico]

Yikes, something else might go missing if she ever reads this thread!

And for a reasonable fee she won’t ...