Questions tagged [tool-selection]
Selecting a tool based on requirements of a specific application or project.
83
questions
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Can you use a standard ceramic kiln to melt bronze for casting?
I'm starting a home foundry, based in the UK to make small metal casts in aluminium and bronze - practicing with aluminium and moving on to bronze once I've got the skills and equipment set up right.
...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
How much should I budget for a soft tipped clay sculpting tool?
I have been using hard tipped sculpting tools to crate parts and effects on Warhammer scale figures for a couple of years. I am looking to move to a much larger scale and I am looking for soft tipped ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
What do I need to buy to run an airbrush on this compressor?
I've used airbrushes before, but only in art classes, so I know very little about them beyond using them to paint with.
This is the compressor that I already own. I'd rather not buy another as I don't ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
What are good nippers for metal minis? [closed]
I can find a lot of recommendations for good nippers to use for plastic and resin miniatures (Tamiya, Godhands, DSPIAE and so on). However, when I look at their descriptions, they specifically say ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Trying to find a specific, sable hair watercolor brush, plastic/resin handle [closed]
My grandfather, Ed Maryon, painted watercolors professionally, and was both Dean and Chair of Fine Arts at the University of Utah. When I was younger, I was fortunate enough to have some private ...
3
votes
2answers
142 views
What binding options are there for an A3 sketchbook that I can rearrange or add pages to?
I want to start a project sketchbook where I will put all of my existing notes for 1 specific project, separated into different sections, and with a table of contents, to arrange them and have a ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
is there such a thing as a wide belt sander attached to a flex shaft?
I want to sand/polish resin mold crafts. Most of the pieces I work with are around 2" on their widest sides. I am looking into a belt sander to avoid the manual process of sanding by hand. So far ...
6
votes
4answers
83 views
Paint or marker for insulated cup decoration
I am looking to decorate one of those “Yeti” brand insulated coffee cups for my brother for Christmas, and I am not sure what to use so that the decoration does not wash off. I have researched a bit ...
4
votes
1answer
109 views
Guidance on what to look for in a paper cutter/trimmer
I have been drawing and painting for a while now on smaller paper sizes, i.e. up to 11" x 14". I am looking to "go bigger" upwards to 18" x 24" possibly even 24" x ...
0
votes
2answers
71 views
Rolling the rope of a kite
The base question of the problem is here. Another related question here.
Additional to the material of the rope, I also need to be able to deal with the said rope when lowering the kite, when the fun ...
9
votes
1answer
414 views
Double-sided Eyelets?
I have some cheap eyelet pliers and aluminium eyelets. They produce reasonable attractive results on one side but an ugly mess on the other.
Often this doesn't matter as you only see one side, but ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Does a flex shaft need to be on a stand?
I am thinking of getting a flex shaft for jewelry and stone setting. I have seen most installs require a stand but every once in a while I'll see a video/pic where someone has forgone the stand and ...
11
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
230 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?
5
votes
3answers
159 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
99 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
278 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
230 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
170 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
220 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
124 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
63 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.
2
votes
1answer
56 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
280 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
138 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-...
7
votes
1answer
2k 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
1k 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
260 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
211 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
457 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
396 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
139 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
736 views
Best way to restore my old vintage wooden cricket bat
I own a vintage, wooden bat which I wanted to restore by myself, for myself.
Some of the areas where I require help are:
Removing stickers and their marks:
There are these old stickers on the bat ...
2
votes
5answers
233 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
58 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
4k 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
6k 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
563 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?
7
votes
3answers
960 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
260 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
590 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
341 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
101 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
165 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
3k 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
137 views
Economical ideas for lettered t-shirts
We are seven friends planning to watch a sports game, and we are trying to get seven t-shirts that have the letters F E D E R E R. Buying them online seems expensive, and where it's cheaper you need ...
9
votes
4answers
1k 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
2k 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. (I want to make a fake lightsaber.)
The most obvious way would be to use a hollow cylinder-shaped mold, but I'm wondering if I have ...
4
votes
3answers
6k 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?
4
votes
2answers
472 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 ...
