St. Simon Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi, I've been thinking that perhaps now is the time to start investing in a good set of tools to make up an engineers / modellers tool box for my future career, but it got me thinking, what tools should there by in such a tool box? Obviously there should be stuff like a knife, files, ruler, glue etc, but what else should there be? Personally I'm only looking for a smallish tool box (one that I can carry easily around with me), but for others it might be interesting too hear your thoughts on whatever should go into a proper tool box? Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornbyandbf3fan Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 A pen, always useful. Screwdrivers Soldering Iron Tweezers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddys-blues Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 A nice decent size piece of glass to use as a flat plate for checking the square of kits and such. 12" Steel rule, a 12" steel scale rule, scalpels and blades, pin vice and various small drill bits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Files selection wire pliers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Another couple of basics - scriber and square. If leaning towards things electrical then add a decent soldering iron between 18 and 30 watts with a selection of bits and a decent multi-meter. I would always want to be able to measure current in addition to voltage and resistance. A selection of insulated crimps including butts and eyelets and a suitable crimping tool always are useful, as are automatic wire strippers. On the mechanical side, I include a small 1/4 drive socket set to 13mm with screwdriver, torx and hex bits. A 150mm adjustable wrench is good too. A standard set of flat and cross types screwdrivers with insulated shafts and three sets of pliers - standard, cross-cut and long nosed, again insulted to 600V. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
corax67 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Elastoplast fabric plasters - to deal with the inevitable cuts from the scalpels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 27, 2014 You need two tool boxes to do either job properly in my opinion. I have always had toolboxes in fact as many as 4, house tools lump hammer bolster chisel plumbob etc car tools metric spanners half and quarter inch drive sockets etc plant fitters box three quarter and inch drive socket sets scaffy bars range of hammers AF spanners (CAT) metric combos big screwdrivers etc and a model box range of knives files glass as said tweezers soldering irons etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2014 A digital vernier caliper is very useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 You need two tool boxes to do either job properly in my opinion. I have always had toolboxes in fact as many as 4, house tools lump hammer bolster chisel plumbob etc car tools metric spanners half and quarter inch drive sockets etc plant fitters box three quarter and inch drive socket sets scaffy bars range of hammers AF spanners (CAT) metric combos big screwdrivers etc and a model box range of knives files glass as said tweezers soldering irons etc. Hi, I was thinking I may have to do something along those lines, a smaller modelling tool box to take to exhibitions with layouts, and a slightly larger one for work / other things Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Razor saw Sanding sticks Small centre punch Modelers' mitre block Assortment of small scraper blades for removing unwanted mould lines or detail Small Dremel style tool with bits Pin chuck and mini hand drill. Assorted small drill bits Good quality non-misting super glue Solvent for plastic Small paint brushes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 A digital vernier caliper is very useful. Hi, I've just spent two days learning to use analogue Vernier Calipers and Micrometers, in both Metric and Imperial and I've always been told that a analogue one is superior to a digital as it stays in calibration longer. So they will both be going in the box! Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi, I've just spent two days learning to use analogue Vernier Calipers and Micrometers, in both Metric and Imperial and I've always been told that a analogue one is superior to a digital as it stays in calibration longer. So they will both be going in the box! Simon I use mine on the making of aerospace components and have had no complaints with accuracy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddys-blues Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi, I've just spent two days learning to use analogue Vernier Calipers and Micrometers, in both Metric and Imperial and I've always been told that a analogue one is superior to a digital as it stays in calibration longer. So they will both be going in the box! Simon Keep any measuring devices such as verniers and micrometers in their own little packing boxes, as to avoid any damage or knocks to keep their measuring trueness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 27, 2014 I use mine on the making of aerospace components and have had no complaints with accuracy. I suspect your vernier was not a tenner tops from aldi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi, I've just spent two days learning to use analogue Vernier Calipers and Micrometers, in both Metric and Imperial and I've always been told that a analogue one is superior to a digital as it stays in calibration longer. So they will both be going in the box! Simon I bought a cheap digital vernier from Lidl and tested it on slip gauges. Very accurate. If you want to measure accurately you really want to use an analogue micrometer because, with experience, you get the 'feel' of the micrometer on the workpiece and can achieve readings down to half a thou in imperial or 0.005 mm. When you first start using them, generally you tend to treat them like 'G' clamps and get incorrect readings. I find that analogue verniers generally, due to the thin jaws, are not so good for precision turning because they have a different feel and can deflect depending on the position of the jaws on the workpiece. They're still good to about 0.05mm though if you use them right and read them accurately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted February 27, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 27, 2014 I suspect your vernier was not a tenner tops from aldi. Maybe so but those ones are ideal for modellers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Simon Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hi, I thought that the digital / analogue comment might start a debate, but if people have been happy with a digital Vernier, that's fine with me, I don't doubt it, but personally, I'll be purchasing an analogue one as I prefer using them anyway. Blimey, we are getting quite a list now, keep them coming! Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazz Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I would not be able to get everything in a tool box or even two. By the time I fill it with a dozen different pliers, three types of bending bars, two rollers two sizes of pillar drills. three soldering irons, two soldering stands, three large spools of varying solders, two bench lights. Various bottles of acids and cleaners. four types of adhesives. At least thirty various files. Five types of tweezers. three boxes of jewellers screw drivers. Boxes of drills of all sizes, Two boxes of nuts, bolts, screws, washers, split pins, rivets. Plus many more items to list. Plus all that has already been mentioned in the above posts. Can I manage without any of the above, noooo. Next question? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 A Swann Morton scalpel and a box of 10A blades is a must. Sheets of various thicknesses of plasticard and microstrip come in useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I would not be able to get everything in a tool box or even two. By the time I fill it with a dozen different pliers, three types of bending bars, two rollers two sizes of pillar drills. three soldering irons, two soldering stands, three large spools of varying solders, two bench lights. Various bottles of acids and cleaners. four types of adhesives. At least thirty various files. Five types of tweezers. three boxes of jewellers screw drivers. Boxes of drills of all sizes, Two boxes of nuts, bolts, screws, washers, split pins, rivets. Plus many more items to list. Plus all that has already been mentioned in the above posts. Can I manage without any of the above, noooo. Next question? I have about six modelling toolboxes in the collection, with different purposes. There's one for screwdrivers, nut runners, etc, another for measuring and marking out, one for cutting and 'Dremeling', etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallen Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 A sheet of glass is very useful but please get toughened glass not window glass. A good source is the glass shelf often found in old refrigerators. Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 A good source is the glass shelf often found in old refrigerators. Frank You need to wear gloves though, and wrap up warm. And make sure you can't get locked in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryMeerkat Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Can't believe nobody has mentioned THE MOST IMPORTANT tool in any toolkit/box yet...... A pencil Always kept next to the knife that sharpens it! A pencil will never run out of ink, get to wet or to dry, will work upside down and write on most surfaces. As for tool kits and their contents, good luck with that! When I left school 15 years ago I had nothing, in those years I've managed to amass SEVEN different tool kits for different things. I have my roller-cab with my car tools, 11 drawers and 5ft tall. I have a kit on my boat with specific tools. I have spraying tools, modelling tools, heavy tools, all kept separate and used for very different jobs. And even after 15 years and thousands of pounds spent on every kind of tool you can imagine, I still find I don't have the 'right' tools for some jobs! Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Deltic Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Can't believe nobody has mentioned THE MOST IMPORTANT tool in any toolkit/box yet...... A pencil Always kept next to the knife that sharpens it! A pencil will never run out of ink, get to wet or to dry, will work upside down and write on most surfaces. As for tool kits and their contents, good luck with that! When I left school 15 years ago I had nothing, in those years I've managed to amass SEVEN different tool kits for different things. I have my roller-cab with my car tools, 11 drawers and 5ft tall. I have a kit on my boat with specific tools. I have spraying tools, modelling tools, heavy tools, all kept separate and used for very different jobs. And even after 15 years and thousands of pounds spent on every kind of tool you can imagine, I still find I don't have the 'right' tools for some jobs! Mark Hang on a second.... The pencil goes behind the ear, not in the tool box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve O. Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Anyone mention real Allen keys? Also, a nice, sharp centre punch. Stops those drill bits wandering... Cheers, Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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