Tools - How to Equip a Basic Workshop

[Armortek]

Hi, I've just written a full post to update the Knowledge Base topic on basic tools to support assembly out of the box. Please comment on any addition, subtractions or amendments, so that it truly reflects our collective body of knowledge. It has a brother, the Advanced Workshop topic for custom building, which I'll get to in the New Year.

Hope it's useful.

Stephen

[Adrian Harris]

This post doesn't seem to have hit the forum yet

Adrian

[Stephen White]

Happy New Year Adrian and all.

It's here

http://www.armortek.co.uk/Forum3b/viewt ... =34&t=5813

Comments welcome as ever.

Stephen

[Greg Stephens]

ohh..So I should put my grinder away then?

[Paul Morris]

Hi Stephen.

In my opinion the best tool I have bought for general assembly not on your list is a powerfile ... only about £30 and indispensable in my opinion at least.
Cheers Paul.

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Paul,
Agree 100%
B&D Powerfile and assorted belts are a great investment.
That and the Dremel (mains powered) get used every day.
Have taken to wearing generic work gloves as have done DIY biometric data erasure with both tools
Happy new year all
Fabrice
PS advised by engineer chum not to use dust collection bag with Powerfile as alu and iron/steel filings can equal...thermite! Sounds like a Mythbusters theory, but why risk it?

[Adrian Harris]

> Have taken to wearing generic work gloves

I tend to wear Tiger Grip nitrile gloves when in the workshop now, simply to reduce the hand washing needed after a session. They're thicker than normal 'hospital' blue nitrile gloves to offer a bit of protection when sanding and generally handling things.

Adrian.

[Adrian Harris]

And I would steer clear of Draper / Sealey / Clarke tools, and especially Silverline.

Adrian.

[John Heath]

If someone else was paying it't be a Makita powerfile but the B&D is more than adequate when the money is coming out of my pocket.

John

[Armortek]

Thanks for the comments and input. I've added gloves to the Basic thread.

Power tools in general are probably more appropriately covered in the Advanced thread, which is intended for anyone customising or modifying their model, rather than using simple hand tools to assemble out of the box (which is the intention of the Basic topics).

The division between Basic (assembling out of the box) and Advanced (customising and modifying) is a bit artificial in practice, of course, but we'd like to keep a clear distinction so that someone building their first Armortek model isn't overwhelmed with too much information. Hope that makes sense.

Stephen

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Stephen,

What a sad note to end 2015 on. Micro-management is poison to creativity.

I am, as an admirer of your lead in the most innovative craftsmanship in model engineering and R/C systems design, slightly puzzled as to how you can suddenly class simple hand power-tools together with Milling Machines, Lathes, RSMs etc etc which are de facto advanced machining/turning/soldering tools. You know this, you own and demonstrate them with consummate skill!

This thread is about equipping a BASIC WORKSHOP. Everyone knows from the Armortek product descriptions that all the Kits can be assembled with basic hand tools to a fully functional, basic standard. That does not require a workshop, basic or otherwise, just at kitchen table or workbench.

If Armortek have been now advised by their "product liability" insurers that advice or recommendations as to utilisation of power tools via the Forum, somehow leaves them liable for injury or loss, then scrap the Knowledge Base. Simplz

Actually I have found my Powerfile a useful and timesaving device vs hand files in assembling out of the box models. My advice: Learn how to do a job by hand then learn how to use a powertool to save time doing the same operation. I have yet to meet *anyone* who can fabricate extra hours in the day.

Yes the Tiger Grip Gloves are great, especially in Orange. Makes you look like Ed China in "Wheeler Dealers"! Of course you do not need them when only using hand tools..

Full circle.

Regards
Fabrice

[Michael Cecil]

I've found both this thread and the Knowledge thread very helpful indeed, as I 'gear up' for the 25-pdr build. Much of what already exists in the workshop (for full scale restoration) can be applied (including the powerfile!) but there are a few smaller devices I'll have to acquire to suit the 'delicacy' of the scale. In all, very, very useful threads, along with some private advice I received from Stephen White soon after acquiring the Kompact Kit (thanks Stephen!).

Thanks to all who contributed!

Mike

[Armortek]

Happy New Year to all.

Fabrice, you deserve a fuller explanation.

Liability isn't the issue. We simply don't want to imply that building an Armortek model out of the box requires such metal to be removed that would demand an investment in anything other than hand tools. Your point exactly about the kitchen table build. I'll certainly include power files in the Advanced topic.

I did make the point that the division into Basic and Advanced topics is a bit artificial. It's designed to highlight relevant topics for two distinct communities, those approaching or considering their first Armortek build with no engineering resources or experience (Basic) cf those for whom the bug has already bitten, who may have both (Advanced). Hope that clarifies.

All the best.

Stephen