Got a new toy today which I have been thinking of for ages but finally justified for the new Hunslet project. I have always had a problem with cutting true circles out of sheet metal or even plasticard and with the imminent need for cab spectacles, wheel inserts and balance weights I finally gave in to a Jewelers Circular hole punch set. This is something I have knocked up myself before but this will do the job so much better. It has a good selection of sizes (except the one you really want of course!), is easy to use and punches out a good clean circle. OK, not the most exciting invention ever but am sure I will find a lot of uses for it. In fact have just thought of another one - making tin hats. Not something most of you will be concerned about but it has been bothering me. Quite a few pictures of the Dick Kerr have a spare helmet hanging off the cab and attempts to make them from Milliput or cast them from existing figures have not been too good. So, punch a circle and then whack with a rounded rod or ball bearing - might work!

Actually, this is not the first time I have resorted to jewellery making sites for supplies. Such places are good for fine fret saw blades, silver solder paste and small tools such as pliers and tin snips. Always good to keep options open and useful things can turn up in the unlikeliest of places sometimes.