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ModelWorks Foden
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Recommended Tools |
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ModelWorks Foden
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Recommended Tools |
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| I have put these notes together to give constructors who are new to assembly of ModelWorks kits an idea of the sort of tool kit that is required. The list is not exhaustive but I believe I have list the majority of tools that I regularly use for kit assembly. Any "specials" can be purchased as and when needed. |
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Vice A vice is essential to hold the parts whilst they are clean up. My vice came from B&Q along with the kitchen units to bolt it to! To prevent marking the parts I use "soft jaws" made from 1" aluminum angle. |
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Files A good set of files is essential. My files range in size from small needle files to large 12" files. As they are mainly used for cleaning up I recommend getting the finest grade available (fine teeth). Try and avoid cheap files as they blunt very quickly. |
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Spanners A small set of metric spanners is required. The Majority of the Bolts are M5 or M6 requiring 8 & 10 mm AF spanners. There are likely to be some BA heads so I recommend getting a set for these. When it comes to the large nuts on the steam fittings these are imperial and a 1/4" to 7/8" AF set is recommended. |
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Socket Set An inexpensive 1/4" drive socket set is very handy. The 1/2" drive set for the car is probably to big as most of the time I am using with the 8mm or 10mm sockets. |
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Allen Keys ModelWorks use a lot of high tensile hex head bolts in the hidden places of the engine. Get a quality set and don't lose any. |
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DIY Tools Occasionally I find a pair of pliers useful and also a screw driver. When a hammer is required Steve usually calls for a hammer with a soft head. A hacksaw, junior or full size, is useful to shorted overlong bolts and correct other problems. |
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Power Drill The drudgery of cleaning up the components can be eased by using a flap wheel in a power drill. As the flap wheel puts a slide load on the drill one with quality bearings is recommended. |
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Mini Drill For many constructors this is an indispensable tool. I occasionally use mine with an abrasive head to grind away excess metal. |
| 'Optional Tools' The tools listed below are not be necessary as any rogue part can be returned to ModelWorks for replacement or repair. I use them to speed construction or avoid returning a part to the factory. Buying additional tools is a good opportunity for novice constructor to start building a Model Engineering tool kit but don't buy a tool that you are not competent to use. Besides the obvious safety implications it is possible to ruin an expensive component. A good place to purchase tools and other sundries is at one of the annual exhibitions. As I have a comprehensive Model Engineers Tool Kit it would be perverse of me not to use them when appropriate. Rather than list the everything I have I will list the most useful items and add additions when used. Having produced my initial list I am surprised how small it is but I don't think I have omitted anything I use regularly. |
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Taps and Dies I use these more for cleaning up a thread rather than cutting afresh. Great care is needed not to "cross thread" the original either by using the wrong size tap, or not using it squarely. I investigate if I need to apply anything other than gentle force. The Foden will use Metric, BA and Model Engineer threads. Taps are more useful that dies. I usually buy mine from Tracy Tools. |
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Measuring Tools It is always useful to be able to measure things whether it be to investigate a problem or decide how much to cut off a bolt. Most useful is the humble steel rule - I recommend a 1/2" wide 12" flexible steel rule as it can be got into most places. Digital verniers have fallen to ridiculously low prices since I brought my genuine Mitutoyo verniers some years ago. |
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Thread Gauge Before engaging a tap or die to clean a thread it is sensible to check the pitch of the thread. The Foden used a mixture of mixture of Metric and Imperial threads and so a combine set is needed. The gauge consist of a series of "saw tooth" templates which are offered up to the unknown thread. When the one that fits perfectly is found the thread is known. In practice this does not take long as the likely candidates are soon learned. |
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A lathe is not needed - read my notes |
| Other sections that may be of interest to new visitors to the Foden Diary |
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| Recommended Tool Kit | Machine tools not required | About Foden Builder | |
Web site Copyright 2005 Julia Old
