Tentacles Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 I'm sure I'm not the only Britmodeller with short arms & deep pockets. What are your thrifty modelling hacks? Mine: - blunt no.11 blades: superglue applicators - shiny packaging cardboard: glue pallette - plastic containers for soft cheese and such: thick plasticard for reinforcing unseen areas... and of course storage for sub-assemblies 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 I've got an old No. 11 Xacto blade with a broken tip that I use for superglue. I put a drop on the blade and using an old sewing needle with the eye cut mostly off, I apply small drop of CA to where I need it. After the CA has set hard on the blade, I use another old blade to scrape the glue off for reuse later. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobL Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 (edited) I'm currently recycling plastic shot glasses, which I use for mixing paint/thinners, either leaving them to dry, then using them again regardless of what was in them, or giving them a good clean with IPA 99%. Mostly because they seem to be stupidly overpriced online or just not available in my usual places (Tesco) at the moment. Not something I'm willing to go hunting around town centre shops for either... Edited November 19, 2021 by RobL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 No need for fancy clamps and holders when you have a large ball of blu-tack and toothpicks.👍😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckw Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 2 hours ago, RobL said: I'm currently recycling plastic shot glasses, which I use for mixing paint/thinners, Be careful - plastics vary. I recently had placed some Mr Hobby self levelling thinner in a robust looking plastic tub. All seemed well, and I left it overnight (with a cover). Next morning I found it had eaten through the plastic and leaked onto the workbench. Fortunately no other serious damage. Cheers Colin 8 hours ago, dogsbody said: After the CA has set hard on the blade, I use another old blade to scrape the glue off for reuse later. I use a lighter to burn it off Cheers Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macsporran Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Not sure what you call them, but pills are packaged in a flexible plastic container housing the tablet under a foil lid. After pulling the foil off, the plastic bit makes an ideal palette with small chambers for mixing paints and thinners. Ideal for oils for figure painting or washes for weathering. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacles Posted November 19, 2021 Author Share Posted November 19, 2021 ⬆️ Genius - and less wastage compared to using a traditional mixing dish, so you make a further saving on thinners & paint if you only need a very small amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobL Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 29 minutes ago, ckw said: Be careful - plastics vary. I recently had placed some Mr Hobby self levelling thinner in a robust looking plastic tub. All seemed well, and I left it overnight (with a cover). Next morning I found it had eaten through the plastic and leaked onto the workbench. Fortunately no other serious damage. Cheers Colin I use a lighter to burn it off Cheers Colin Yeah I don't use lacquer thinners in them, not for long at least. Had exactly what happened to you happen once myself, although I left it outside so it wasn't an issue. The shot glass was a shrivelled up melted mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckw Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 My favourite bargain is a plastic box of cotton buds - usually 50p or less from the supermarket. Of course the cotton buds themselves have many uses, but in addition, the plastic used for the box does not react with superglue ... I use the lid to pour out a small pool from the Pound store tubes, and it remains viable for a considerable time. You can use it for other glues and paints as well. And the box itself is a handy size for putting things in. Perhaps the most value for money in modelling! Cheers Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tijuana Taxi Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Ocado spice jars (and many others no doubt) have a hinged lid that reveals a cap with round holes in. Ideal when empty for standing paint brushes in whatever fluid you desire. I find one with a brush or cotton bud inserted in airbrush cleaner is handy for nozzle/needle tip cleaning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Individual aluminium fruit pie dishes for paint or epoxy mixing. You get to eat the pies too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasermonkey Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 A few that I've used over the years: Rigid sanding sticks using wet'n'dry glued to lolly sticks. Just sand the sticks flat first. Micro chisels made from cheap and nasty jewellers' screwdrivers. Grind to shape using a Dremel (or similar) and a cut-off disc. Glue and paint mixing palettes using old plastic milk or fruit juice bottle caps. Pringles lids can be useful for mixing or decanting glue too and being flexible, it's easy to remove the dried glue for reuse. Plastic takeaway containers are useful for the storage of parts, tools and decals. Just make sure you've thoroughly removed any traces of the vindaloo that previously inhabited it! Spice jars for the storage of thinners and cleaning solutions for immediate use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bowcat Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 The blister packaging that contact lenses come in. Perfect for when a small drop of paint is needed for detail painting. Also the cases that are used to store and clean contact lenses overnight are good for storage of small parts, or for paints. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 3 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said: Individual aluminium fruit pie dishes for paint or epoxy mixing. You get to eat the pies too. Top Tip - Eat the pie first! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimpion Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 5 hours ago, ckw said: I use a lighter to burn it off I'm not a chemist, but isn't there a danger that you could liberate cyanide? As for thrifty tips, the plastic inserts from boxes of chocolates make great paint palettes. As do the plastic bits from any small blister packs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelmaker Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 6 hours ago, Macsporran said: Not sure what you call them, but pills are packaged in a flexible plastic container housing the tablet under a foil lid. After pulling the foil off, the plastic bit makes an ideal palette with small chambers for mixing paints and thinners. Ideal for oils for figure painting or washes for weathering. Yes! Me too! Ideal for a little puddle of superglue and a small amount of talcum powder, perfect for mixing as a filler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelmaker Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 The lids of margarine tubs ('scrape' as my dad used to call the stuff) is very useful if you have a homemade (or bought, I suppose, but that wouldn't be thrifty) vac forming codge up like I made. The lids vac form very nicely and are ideal, at least I find, for , undercarriage doors and the like. Less good for clear parts of course but THAT'S where clear plastic boxes that Christmas cards often come in, as well as sundry other things. Not all clear plastic works, and the results can be a bit thin, for better or worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 7 hours ago, Mr Bowcat said: The blister packaging that contact lenses come in. Perfect for when a small drop of paint is needed for detail painting. Have a pile of those as mrs fatfingers is a contacts user. As you say they are perfect for small amounts of paint 👍 Regards, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Some of the items I've saved from the trash over the years. On the left is a small glass. I have no idea of it's original use. It was in a box of stuff the wife wanted tossed. I saw and saved. Next, the lower cup is the cover off some spritzer bottle one of my daughters uses. Something make-uppy, I think. Above that, I have no idea now. Next are three small thin jar-like items and their screw-on covers. Again, something make-uppy from my youngest daughter ( I have 3 girls ). These are great for mixing paint. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Another vote for the pill packaging (sure sign of our demographic) for small reservoirs of thinner grades of superglue… Pop them back out with the end of a paintbrush and attach with double sided tape to a card base… best, M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentacles Posted November 19, 2021 Author Share Posted November 19, 2021 54 minutes ago, cmatthewbacon said: (sure sign of our demographic) 😆 Probably something to do with all the vodka shots & pies we've obviously been having. I'm sure I remember reading on here about someone doing something clever with metal sheet sourced from a beer can.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 31 minutes ago, Tentacles said: 😆 Probably something to do with all the vodka shots & pies we've obviously been having. I'm sure I remember reading on here about someone doing something clever with metal sheet sourced from a beer can.... You need to burn or sand off the coating on the inside; it shrugs off paint ! best, M. 😜 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted November 19, 2021 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Caps from plastic bottles are excellent for mixing/thinning water-soluble acrylics. Also for small batches of epoxy. The vacuum lids from coffee cans are an excellent building material source. 6 mils, easily cut, hold their shape. The raw material is shown above with slats for my 1/48 Lysander I use some stainless steel cups from the art store for mixing solvent paints; they clean readily. I use one the bottom of an upside-down cup for CA; scrape or burn hardened CA to clear. Popsicle, a.k.a., craft sticks, make good painting fixtures. Wrap some masking tape around the stick with the sticky side out and attach flat parts to the tape. Peel the tape when done. You can also drill holes in the wood for items with shafts. Carry-out food trays and their lids are used for holding small parts and assemblies. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 One that I picked up from @The Spadgent was a polystyrene tray (nicked from work), with toothpicks (pence in the supermarket) with crocodile clips crushed onto the tip end (£3-£5 online) instead of the 8 item specialty holders from Tamiya and Gunze (£20-£25). Another self learned tip, don't buy materials in hobby stores. A pack of Revell droppers has about 8 for £5 but I picked up a box of 100 for the same price from a medical supplies store, along with gradient medicine cups (flexi shot glasses basically) for £3/4 for 50. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 I’ve collected a few of those tiny glass marmalade and jam jars you get at hotels and B&Bs. Ideal for containing small quantities of the more aggressive thinners and brush cleaners. Seem pretty air-tight too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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