Uncle Pete Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I've had a look on the internet for jigs that hold planes steady during building and painting. Do any of you experienced guys use them? Are they worth getting or do they "catch more fishermen than fish"? So far I've been muddling through with blu-tak, knees, teeth and bits of bent wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I recently built one and have been semi-using it. I think it's not totally devoid of value, and I'm grimly determined to get my money's worth from it, but it's kind of a hassle and in retrospect I would not have purchased a wooden one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Hmmm, interesting experience PC - is that the bi-plane jig I've seen in recent photos? Like this one: I was thinking of getting one of those but maybe not I have two types of stand that I find really useful (for my 1/72 builds). The first is from Sphere Products and I've just ordered the bigger one for a 1/48 build (or two 1/72!) You do need to drill out the prop mount so you won't get spinning props (you have to glue it on afterwards) but once the widget is in the front it grips really well on the back of the hole so it doesn't split the seams like pointy sticks do. You can either use the supplied stand or, as seen above, any other thing with a hole. The other stand I have is from JH Models (I got mine from Modelling Tools) and I use it all the time when applying decals. You can adjust the supports so that the model is stable, or just use it to prop things at an angle: HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I'd rather build than buy, so I made my own from bits of scrap and four pencils (with rubbers). To my surprise it works quite well. The cylindrical side bits swivel. I have thought that an improvement would be to add small but strong magnets to the end of the pencils (with a bit of padding glued at the end so as not to damage paintwork) and then glue washers into the wings, but I haven't got around to doing it yet. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Nice build Gorby 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnerboy Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 oh I like that,simple but ingenious ( bit like me ) would look much better with matching pencils tho 😉 mind if I copy? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 There is also a use for Lego. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 12 hours ago, sinnerboy said: mind if I copy? Feel free – I'll expect to see matching pencils though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 When I’ve needed to jig something in the past, as bentwaters suggested, good old Lego did the trick. Couple of quid for a bucket of it at a car boot sale plus cardboard shims stuck on for adjustments. The pound shops probably have some of that knock off Lego if needed. Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelmaker Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 I bought some Wilko ersatz Lego recently to help align the wings on things like (old) Ju-88s which are difficult with the gondola underneath I find. Works quite well for lining things up, quite cheap and you'll probably find other uses too. I'll post some pictures when I get home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Yep, another vote for Lego too for those 'bespoke' stands. I find the 'roof tiles' particularly useful when trying to level things out: ... and I also put some BluTak on the ends to allow precise adjustment and secure attachment of tailplanes. My new Sphere Products Medium stand arrived this morning too. Post over here but here are the small and medium together: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickoshea52 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 On 18/05/2018 at 18:22, Gorby said: I'd rather build than buy, so I made my own from bits of scrap and four pencils (with rubbers). To my surprise it works quite well. The cylindrical side bits swivel. I have thought that an improvement would be to add small but strong magnets to the end of the pencils (with a bit of padding glued at the end so as not to damage paintwork) and then glue washers into the wings, but I haven't got around to doing it yet. Genius. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy350 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 On 25/11/2019 at 21:40, Rickoshea52 said: Genius. Superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerazzurri Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 On 5/18/2018 at 6:22 PM, Gorby said: I'd rather build than buy, so I made my own from bits of scrap and four pencils (with rubbers). To my surprise it works quite well. The cylindrical side bits swivel. I have thought that an improvement would be to add small but strong magnets to the end of the pencils (with a bit of padding glued at the end so as not to damage paintwork) and then glue washers into the wings, but I haven't got around to doing it yet. I'm obviously late to this topic, coming across it whilst thinking about something that might be useful to me. Shame we can't see this image now. Did anyone build something similar I could see please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonlanceHR Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 On 11/7/2022 at 11:28 PM, Nerazzurri said: I'm obviously late to this topic, coming across it whilst thinking about something that might be useful to me. Shame we can't see this image now. Did anyone build something similar I could see please? Click on the link and you will see the image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerazzurri Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 15 hours ago, dragonlanceHR said: Click on the link and you will see the image. The link doesn't work for me 🤷🏻♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonlanceHR Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Copyright by Gorby 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerazzurri Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 1 hour ago, dragonlanceHR said: Copyright by Gorby Nice one, thank you DL. And what a great DIY jig 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpoud117 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Hey everyone, It's been a few years and a lot more options are available these days. I'm considering getting one and I'm wondering what you guys are using? Is it actually useful in general? Wood, plastic, else? I saw some with felt like material padding the contact surfaces, does that help or is it a gimmick? Thanks in advance for your insight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpoud117 Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 Hi guys, I took the plunge on a AK interactive "small" stand (MSJ01) after breaking a stupid amount of parts from my phantom (canopy mid section, that fuel dump on the tail must have broke 3 times 🤬) I must say I'm really pleased with the tool. Assembly was easy, there's plenty of adjustment axis to allow a perfect fit and shipping to my corner of Europe was surprisingly affordable on Ak's webshop. All told, if you don't already have a solid DIY solution and no lego stock to play with, it's a decent investment. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamiec360 Posted March 30, 2023 Share Posted March 30, 2023 I 3D printed mine on my Prusa from this stl on thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2953590 works great They have a load more variations with more complexity/adjustability but this one works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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