tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post5491954885441164343..comments2024-03-29T06:18:19.604+00:00Comments on Phil's Workbench: I can't draw - and I know whyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-44354413661687486452020-10-21T17:14:16.795+00:002020-10-21T17:14:16.795+00:00I always wanted a Guy Williams soldering iron, but...I always wanted a Guy Williams soldering iron, but couldn't find one anywhere. (Actually, I'd quite happily settle for a John Hayes version.) So I make do with a couple of modest Antex irons, and plenty of practice when I have the time... ;-)<br /><br />You and me both, Phil! My father was useless at DIY and most things practical, bless him, so we had very few tools in the house when I started in my teens. All my early efforts were bodges, but I was keen and managed to produce something that I was pleased with at the time, with little or no budget. Perhaps this instills the habit of seeing potential, i.e., model-making, uses for everyday objects?Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12333001638877555364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-50016946072488644392020-10-16T07:47:12.297+00:002020-10-16T07:47:12.297+00:00The number of tools I use on a regular basis is on...The number of tools I use on a regular basis is only a tiny percentage of my total tool collection. There are special tools that I own because they are valuable for the rare times I use them, but I could get by without them. <br /><br />It might be that articles in print and online try to use the right tool for the job - either for commerical reasons, showing off they have the tool or simply because you can't really show bodgery - and this tempts anyone looking for a reason not to get started to think they can put it off until they get the Guy Williams soldering iron that will make them a master modeller. <br /><br />I started when I had no money and so developed the "skill" of making do with what I had. Phil Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673614093646938053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-58884430091896323462020-10-15T13:52:41.652+00:002020-10-15T13:52:41.652+00:00I think Phil has hit on something with the buying ...I think Phil has hit on something with the buying out of fear theory. And often the toolkit you really need and use is different from the one you think it should be. If I look at my modelling one it is dominated by clamps, pliers, broaches and measuring tools. Other than that the tools I use are a good set of screwdrivers, a razor saw, three weights of knife,a couple of pin drills a glass fibre brush and a scrawker. Although I've replaced the soldering iron I was bought for my 16th birthday (from that great and much-missed little model shop in Birmingham's Burlington Arcade) my current Antex is pretty basic - although I would advise people to buy suitable bitsJames Finisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-78065357119065405162020-10-15T08:00:25.707+00:002020-10-15T08:00:25.707+00:00I remember a forum member saying they were going t...I remember a forum member saying they were going to have a go at soldering once they had aquired all the different temperature solders, fluxes etc. Basically, they had read a lot, alighted on "step soldering" and decided that was the ONLY way to do things. <br /><br />As Paul B says, the basic equipment is minimal. I've built a lot of kits and never really bothered with step soldering. I use electrical solder, a bit of low-melt and then glue. But then I'm not a "proper" modeller. <br /><br />My guess is with some that he leap into trying to do some modelling is scary, so by focussing on buying the right stuff and reading the right books, the actually work is put off. You can't fail if you don't try. Phil Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673614093646938053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-63358570293535564092020-10-14T09:24:51.821+00:002020-10-14T09:24:51.821+00:00'Analysis paralysis' - I like that.
Going...'Analysis paralysis' - I like that.<br /><br />Going back to soldering (sorry!) I note that whenever advice is asked for folk start talking about gas torches, temperature adjustable irons, creams and pastes, RSUs etc., when all that is needed by a tyro is a basic good quality 25w iron, some flux, some suitable solder, and something to practice on. Too much advice can be counterproductive, the only way to work out what you need rather than what you think you need is to make a start using the basic kit outlined above and develop your own style. Does the same type of thing happen on drawing forums I wonder?<br /><br />I did write a lengthy blog post about this, but I deleted it before posting as it was too negative/critical and not suited to the overall tone that I want for me bloggy.Paul B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05278773151546187084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-35076875951277125002020-10-12T08:52:38.677+00:002020-10-12T08:52:38.677+00:00Perhaps echoing Paul's point one issue can be ...Perhaps echoing Paul's point one issue can be that what works for one type of modeller might not work for you, for all sorts of reasons. Whilst having a range of books to refer to can help, you can also end up with analysis paralysis where you can't make a start because you can't decide which route to go down. That probably explains why I have so many packs of different types of 4mm couplings lying around.<br /><br />Something I seem to say an awful lot is that it is best to start with a good kit, and not all simple kits are good. A good beginners kit should be relatively easy to build with care, but should basically fit well, have great instructions and introduce the modeller to good practices - by at very least being basically accurate.James Finisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-65561686703608711902020-10-11T16:33:52.598+00:002020-10-11T16:33:52.598+00:00That's an interesting point about soldering.
...That's an interesting point about soldering.<br /><br />To be honest, though, I sometimes wonder if soldering is really a skill.<br /><br />No - I'm not suggesting that it's something so simple, so intuitive, that everyone can do it well, with their eyes closed.<br /><br />Far from it, in fact.<br /><br />This isn't an arrogant boast - but I know that I am very good at soldering - electronic soldering - because a previous job of mine depended on this skill.<br /><br />A major part of this job involved fitting resistance strain gauges to specimens - then wiring them up. This required very neat routing and soldering, often with very restricted clearances available for the wires.<br /><br />I've also done a lot of miscellaneous electronic soldering over the years - even if I haven't had chance to do very much lately. However, I'm pretty confident that, the next time I do any of this stuff, I won't make a mess of it.<br /><br />So, if I'm so good at soldering, why don't I also make similar claims regarding soldering white metal?<br /><br />Perhaps this might be because I know that my last attempt at white metal soldering ended up as a molten mess.<br /><br />I'd probably have slightly more confidence about building etched brass or "nickel silver" kits (assuming that I first got myself a suitable soldering iron).<br /><br />In other words, I don't actually see soldering as a skill.<br /><br />I don't imagine for one second that it's one skill. Rather, I view soldering as a whole suite of skills - which I don't think too many people possess all of.Huw Griffithshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11664683490163937931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20340207.post-50357605921533874452020-10-11T13:08:57.042+00:002020-10-11T13:08:57.042+00:00Folk want to do it all now as well, they want to s...Folk want to do it all now as well, they want to start on their dream kit rather than practice on several easier kits first to develop their skills. Only with time, practice, and mistakes can we advance our modelling/drawing/sporting skills.<br /><br />This especially applies to soldering! Where the waters are often muddied by modellers offering advice that would better suit an advanced/experienced modelmaker rather than a tyro.Paul B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05278773151546187084noreply@blogger.com