Some tools to buy to practice finishing and maybe some basic metal work

I've had a downstairs artroom for years, but I've decided to resituate it in my bedroom to make way for a used workbench & vice (in downstairs artroom).

I'm wanting to have a go at building and finishing a pre-machined model steam engine kit or two, & trying some basic beginner metal work that doesn't require a lathe or mill (if that's even possible with machine side of metal working). So far I'm thinking a couple of metal files, a caliper, metal ruler, some small spannars, a hacksaw maybe. I'd have more of an idea if I didn't spend most of my time so far watching vids of lathes at work. Just thinking if I do end up getting a Stuart kit, I'll want the tools and a bit of prior experience to give it a good finish.

If anyone has any suggestions or links it'd be appreciated. Ta.

Edited By Michael Moore on 19/09/2022 01:27:05

As far as pre-machined kits go, you should just need a few small AF spanners and a slot screw driver. Maybe a set of long nose pliers for good measure. I would be very disappointed if one turned up needing any appreciable filing beyond basic deburring!

As well as brushes and paints obviously...

Have more fun and get a lathe!

Jay

I think Stuart require you to shorten bolts, file, polish and paint. I probably wouldn't be as bothered with a cheap kit but those Stuarts are good models.

I'm planning to practice, filing, polishing and painting metals on those cheap stirling hot air bases or other bits of metal.

I'll buy a set of long nose pliers, ta.

I'd add a small bench vice to that for holding parts you are working on.

Some grades of emery cloth so you can remove any machining marks that are often left on the surface of the premachined parts.

Dremel can be handy soften the overscale texture of castings as the initial step in preparing them for painting which will include filling (car body filler) and sanding

I'm looking at a used bench and vice on an auction site. I'll have a look online at emery cloth, dremel and car body filler now.

Ta.

Buy GOOD files, keep them covered so as not to blunt when not in use, plastic tube for round ones. Go to a garden and chainsaw place and buy round chainsaw files, they are good and not very expensive there are about 6 sizes, 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" Etc. also but a couple of handles. BA (0 - 8) and small metric(2 - 10) open end and ring spanners, small screw driver set( Flat blades). 1/2Lb hammer Various pliers, a few drill bits 6mm down to 1mm. A junior hacksaw and a pack of blades, again buy a good one. If you have the money for a dremel, SAVE IT towards a small lathe. As Jason has said a small vise, Humbrol paint, in small tins, and brushes. I have a Stuart D10 from a premachined kit. That will do to start. Noel

I have sent you a PM.

Edited By noel shelley on 19/09/2022 11:06:17

Edited By noel shelley on 19/09/2022 11:08:16

The book "Basic Benchwork" from the Workshop Practice series (no 18) would be a good starting point for you. A couple of addictions to your starter toolkit - an engineers square and a scriber.

I don't know about today but Stuarts use to use odd size BA quite a lot. ie. 5BA & 7BA. Also as regards emery paper you will need wet & dry. I would also forget the junior hacksaw and get a proper one.

Edited By roy entwistle on 19/09/2022 11:07:32

Have you tried to cut a 7BA bolt with a 12"hacksaw ? even with a 32T blade ! Noel.

Two recommended books:

The Novice's Workshop by Ian Bradley, and the more modern Metalworking by Mike George.

PS Did anyone mention Tubal Cain's Handmaiden? A model engine built entirely by hand methods serialised in Model Engineer.

Edited By ega on 19/09/2022 11:25:15

Thanks for the suggestions. I've just bought the "Basic Bench work" (workshop 18) off an auction site for under £5.

I suppose I'll make a start this coming weekend. I've been putting a bit away each payday for CMS or Stuart kit, but I think I'll use it to secure a used bench and vice, then start collecting some tools, measuring tools, a few good files (protected), a junior hacksaw, emery paper (wet/dry), a set square and scriber.

Is that Tubal Cain an American chap? There's a fantastic set of vids I've been enjoying from an older gent in the US who often shows the drawings to whatever he's doing. I've watched so many different lathe workers now but if I recall his name is Pete.

Ta.

I'll take a look at those two other books, Ega.

There's a lot for me to work through and buy in all the above suggestions, it's appreciated. Ta.

The Tubal Cain often referred to was Tom Walshaw who used to write articles in Model Engineer. He wrote several books as well and designed quite a few steam engines. I think he died about 1998.

Edited By roy entwistle on 19/09/2022 14:33:13

A similar previous thread

Definitely get a junior hacksaw. The blades are harder and thinner than a regular hacksaw and cheaper to replace when trashed on a hard spot.
If getting new files put red tape on them and save for brass and aluminium. When blunted move to steel. Meanwhile get used files from boot sale etc for steel. Make handles using scraps of copper pope as ferules - no you don't need a wood lathe to make a file handle, square will do or a bit of broom handle.

If you are anywhere near St Albans we are having our club exhibition with a used tool stand nest weekend, 24/25 Sept.

I chanced on this video which from about 2 mins 30 secs on concentrates on the use of simple hand tools:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W3S-sh490Q&t=164s

Unfortunately I'm in Brum. Thanks for that link and suggestions.

The T.D (Tubal Cain) Walshaw "Handmaiden" was a Stuart Turner casting set built using hand tools only. He used a core drill on the cylinder block, which may prove both difficult and expensive to get hold of.  The original article was published sometime in the summer of 1982.

Edited By Rob McSweeney on 20/09/2022 22:03:15