Questions tagged [tool-selection]
Selecting a tool based on requirements of a specific application or project.
72
questions
10
votes
4answers
4k views
Trying to turn a vintage wash basin into a vessel sink. How can I get rid of this standing water?
First off I screwed up where I drilled the hole for the drain. The middle of the bowl is actually raised so the water pools in a circle around the drain:
I'm curious what my options are now... Is ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
Whats is the mm equivalent of US / old UK knitting needles?
When converting from US or old UK knitting needle sizes to mm, what are the conversions for these?
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Why and how do some people use circular knitting needles when working flat / not in the round?
Some people use circular knitting needles when they are working flat, aka not working in the round. Why is that and how does it work?
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Engrave a design into slate sheets
I currently have multiple sheets of slate measuring 8"x12" at 1/4" thickness, and various gauges of colored wire (picked up the wire from the Beading section of a hobby store).
I have been scaling a ...
2
votes
2answers
55 views
How Can I Create the Metal Comb of a Music Box?
I want to design and create my own music box by hand. I'm looking for a way to create the metal comb/teeth. It would need to be a thin but sturdy metal in order for it to make tones.
I'm looking for ...
2
votes
1answer
40 views
Gloss coat then matte coat?
I’ve heard that matte coatings are less durable than gloss ones.
The claim was that gloss coatings form a hard protective shell, whereas matte ones do not.
The recommendation was to first apply a ...
5
votes
3answers
77 views
Building an elliptic paraboloid
How would I build a shell of an elliptic paraboloid as accurately as possible (in terms of its mathematical properties (all parallel rays end up in its focal point)).
Preferably it should be:
Made ...
2
votes
2answers
52 views
How can I recreate/restore small text and graphics on a painted surface?
I'm refinishing an old Bausch and Lomb Stereo Microscope and I am trying to recreate the graphics and text on the body, but I am not sure of the method used during manufacture. I would like a method I ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
What is the purpose of different needle felting needles?
For needle felting there are different types of needle points and different sizes to choose from. How do you select the right ones/what do they do?
1
vote
3answers
59 views
Easter crafts, any besides eggs?
Are there any home crafts regarding Easter besides eggs? Easter will be coming fairly soon calendar-wise after all.
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Affordable micromotor for jewelry
I'm trying to find a cheap micromotor or small dremel suitable for drilling, sanding and polishing jewelry and precious metals.
I'm not sure if it's possible to find something usable for under/around ...
13
votes
1answer
96 views
How to get spray paint off of concrete, wood, and metal
I was working in my basement studio and a piece of acrylic punctured a red Krylon outdoor paint spray can which exploded onto the unfinished concrete floor, concrete walls, metal cabinets, and wooden ...
5
votes
3answers
103 views
Tool To Create Folding Plans
I'm trying to design a leather box, I've got the plan penciled out - but now looking to create a scale model out of card.
I'm looking for a tool that will allow me to make my scribbles into a to-...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How do you open Castin’ Craft resin cans?
Ok. I have this can of Castin’ Craft brand polyester resin that is brand new. I unscrewed the top and was confronted with a second metal barrier:
I’ve tried:
Prying it with a screwdriver.
Grabbing ...
3
votes
1answer
199 views
What is the best technology to 3D print sextoys?
Most 3D printing technologies create a rough surface. It cannot even be polished without leaving porosities. This is anti-hygienic. The surface has then to be coated with silicone or epoxy gel. The ...
5
votes
1answer
95 views
How to cut a small cylinder out of a chunk of foam with some precision
I have a parallelogram shaped chunk of foam, the kind of foam you find in headphone ear pads. Let's say it's 50mm long on both sides and 5mm thick.
What is the best way to cut 5mm long, 2mm diameter ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
What tool is available for protecting the box cutter and the surface of the table while using box cutter?
Which tool is most suitable for cutting thick cardboard with ease?
The tool you are looking for is called a box cutter which is just a razor blade in a handle. Make sure to put something uncuttable ...
3
votes
3answers
115 views
How to drill a hole on diecast toy using dremel?
I just bought a new-ray helicopter diecast toy. I want to modify it a bit, and one of the plan is to make holes for the windows (square, around 5mm by 5mm). What I'm thinking is to use dremel to drill ...
4
votes
1answer
108 views
What can cut curve curved glass? [duplicate]
Let's say you want to cut around a jar which is very curved, a traditional glass cutter wouldn't work well, so what would you use?
2
votes
2answers
68 views
Building a stop-action rabbit figure
I am constructing a stop-action character in the shape of a rabbit, and I am looking for suggestions about materials and techniques that I can use to build its major body components and fur. I am ...
2
votes
1answer
343 views
Best way to restore my old vintage wooden Cricket bat- (See description)
I own a vintage, wooden bat which I wanted to restore by myself, for myself.
Some of the areas where I required help are:
1) Removing stickers and their marks:
There are these old stickers on the ...
2
votes
5answers
77 views
What type of printer should I use for cardstock?
I am going to be printing my own greeting cards in high volumes. I am looking to buy a printer that can handle the high volume and colors.
What type of printer do I need for this, an ink-jet or laser ...
6
votes
1answer
50 views
book arts: how to make cut outs
What kind of tool should i use to make small cuttings in paper for an art book? I have been using an exacto knife right now but the result is messy and ragged. The paper is cardstock, double layer ...
4
votes
2answers
622 views
Smooth ends of steel wire after cutting it?
I'm cutting steel wire and inserting one end into a wooden base and the other end will be exposed and used to hang items from. I believe it's around 16 gauge, possibly larger (I can't measure it right ...
2
votes
1answer
3k views
How to cut and remove sharp edges on aluminum sheet using a Dremel Rotary Tool or other tool?
I'm working on a project that uses rolled aluminum, the kind for repairing chimney flashing, eavestroughs, etc. It's 0.0125" thick and has very sharp edges, especially after making sized cuts from the ...
7
votes
2answers
260 views
Tool for sealing paper ends
Is there a tool that can seal paper similar to a paper wrapper on a plastic straw. Or how else can a fold the end that will look neat?
4
votes
2answers
498 views
Pliers for chainmail that don't scratch the the rings
I enjoy chainmailling in my free time, although I am still no expert.
I wanted to know if there are special pliers that exist that one can use to open and close rings without scratching the rings or ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Ceramics and shellac
I'm exploring water etching by painting designs on bone dry clay with amber shellac. I paint on 2 coats (wait 30 minutes between coats) and then wait overnight before I begin the water etching process....
2
votes
2answers
541 views
What is a good set of tools for a beginner in leather working?
I've always wanted to craft a small bag out of leather for myself, and I've seen so many different tools to use for leather.
For a beginner, what types of tools would you recommend?
Are there any ...
6
votes
1answer
133 views
How can I use soft pastels with an easel?
I am a beginner artist, and have been exploring the medium of soft pastel for some time now and I absolutely love it.
Recently I was looking into different kinds of easels and which one to buy. But ...
1
vote
1answer
92 views
What's the best approach to drawing a colored picture [closed]
I'm not an avid artist, but when I draw, I usually just sketch in pencil because it's such a simple and forgiving drawing tool. I thought I'd try drawing a colored picture, but I'm a bit lost at how ...
6
votes
3answers
140 views
Which tool to use as watercolor paper press
Is there a tool I could use as watercolor paper press?
Most of the time, after my drawing dries, the paper buckles. I would like to have some tool to put paper inside like a sandwich.
I guess I need ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I cut a near perfect circle out of a plastic bottle?
I am hoping to make a simple spinner treat dispenser for my Australian shepard. Basically it is plastic container with a rod/dowel suspending them in the air. Treats or food are put inside and the ...
8
votes
4answers
100 views
Sports fan: Need economical ideas for alphabet t-shirts
We are seven friends planning to watch a sports game, and we are trying to get seven t-shirts that has the letters F E D E R E R. Buying them online seems expensive, and where it's cheaper you need to ...
7
votes
4answers
725 views
What is the best way to create a stencil for a large spray paint image?
I am looking to create a stencil for the attached image that I edited in Photoshop:
My girlfriend is a big fan of Bowie's work and her birthday is coming up. My plan is to spray paint the image onto ...
3
votes
2answers
928 views
Ways to cast a rod shape out of resin?
I'm looking for a way to cast a rod out of clear epoxy resin. (Yes, I want to make a fake lightsaber. Gosh.)
The most obvious way would be to use a hollow cilinder shaped mold, but I'm wondering if I ...
2
votes
3answers
4k views
How can I cover a large posterboard with glitter?
I have a 22"x28" posterboard that I'd like to cover in glitter. What can I use to get the glitter to stick to the posterboard?
3
votes
2answers
326 views
Machine shear for cardboard?
Is there a special kind of cutter for cardboard? I know I could use a laser cutter, but I don't want to spend thousands.
I need an automatic shear of some kind, ideally with an adjustable kerf, so ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I cut gemstones in half without a lapidary saw?
I'm looking for ideas on how to cut small raw gemstones (1" or less in diameter) in half without damaging the crystals and preferably without spending hundreds on a lapidary saw. I've been told tile ...
3
votes
2answers
60 views
At a minimum what would I need to repair a fracture in a gold pendant?
I have a dragon pendant that I am sure is 10k gold. I have had for at least 15 years. The tail of the dragon is exposed so it bends from time to time. Some time in the past a small fracture started. I ...
6
votes
2answers
298 views
How to cut a pinewood derby car to look like a super car
Most of the pinewood derby cars I've ever seen have very crude designs and simple shapes that can easily be cut with a saw. I thought it would be cool if I made a pinewood derby car that looked like a ...
6
votes
1answer
190 views
Rerooting dolls; needle keeps breaking?
I created a homemade rerooting tool as found on google somewhere. It's an exacto knife with the blade removed, filled with some cork and a needle stuck in with the sharp end. I cut the eye of the ...
4
votes
3answers
135 views
Confused on what kind of drill bit I need for my sheet metal project
I have been looking at drill bits, and I have found so many kinds that I am overwhelmed on what I will need.
Firstly I found a few types. Regular drill bits, step drill bits, countersink bits, spade ...
9
votes
2answers
181 views
How to color with an even darkness?
I want to draw a certain design from a stencil and fill it in evenly in black, but using any drawing utensil I know of, like markers, sharpies, colored pencils, paints, etc., I will inevitably be able ...
5
votes
1answer
100 views
What specs should I look for in a hobby milling machine?
I am thinking about buying a small milling machine for home usage. I have worked with this one during an internship and really liked it. It is a bit too large and too heavy though, to put in my small ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Does a minimal difference in hook sizes really change the outcome of a project?
For example: Is there a significant difference between a 15.75 mm crochet hook and a 16 mm crochet hook?
I have a pattern that calls for a 16 mm crochet hook, but all I was able to find was a 15.75 ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
How to keep scratch art paper clean and free of pencil and eraser marks?
I was introduced to scratch-art in high school and have loved it ever since. The problem I repeatedly encounter is in keeping the surface of the paper unmarked where I want it to remain black. I have ...
2
votes
2answers
91 views
What size saw blade should I look into for cutting letters out of a 1/32" sheet of metal (I think steel) with a saw
From this question How would I cut out lettering from a stamped piece of thick-sheet metal
I am looking to use a Jeweler's saw to cut through a piece of what I believe is stainless steel. According ...
1
vote
3answers
90 views
How to draw a grid over and image that won't be printed?
In high school, I used to print images, draw grids over them and carry them around in my sketch book. Now, I have my smartphone with me all the time and am almost never near a cheap and easy printer. ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How would I cut out lettering from a stamped piece of thick-sheet metal
I have a piece of thick-sheet metal that has letters stamped in it that looks like this
to which I am looking to cut the lettering out of the metal. I am curious what tools would work for this? ...
