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:

 

[TrucTrain55]

Tom. I like the frying pan idea