Posted in Model Building Tips, Modeling Tools & Accessories

Electric Plank Bender: Learn How to Use an Essential Tool for Naval Modeling

It is, without any doubt, one of the star products made by Artesania Latina. Simply, because it is perfectly designed for the wooden ship modeling. We are talking about an essential and specific tool in these times to properly assemble the hulls of ship models. The Electric Plank Bender is one of the tools that any modeler friend should have at her/his workshop.

Electric Plank Bender for Ship Modeling, made by Artesania Latina (27074-1).

The Electric Plank Bender made by Artesania Latina (27074-1) is the most demanded on the market given its fantastic value for money. During the construction of the naval scale model hulls manufactured in wood, the fan of this hobby suffered folding the strips that are placed to cover the aforementioned area of the ship, given its curved shape.

Electric Plank Bender for Ship Modeling, made by Artesania Latina (27074-1).

Specifically, our Electric Plank Bender helps the modeler to mold strips up to 3 mm thick. And it comes with what is required for its use, we will highlight it below.

CONTENTS ELECTRIC PLANK BENDER KIT FOR WOODEN SHIP MODELING

The contents of the Electric Plank Bender Kit for wooden naval modeling are six different objects, the following:

  • A 220-volt electric soldering iron in blue -it can also be in red, depending on the existing stock-.
  • A brass tip for bending and shaping wooden strips.
  • Metal support that avoids burning the area where the modeler builds the ship model.
  • A very useful screwdriver to fix the tip to the device.
  • Wooden template with compound curves.
  • And a fantastic gift: a jar of white glue to stick parts together.

Electric Plank Bender for Ship Modeling, made by Artesania Latina (27074-1).

If you are a beginner modeler, and even if you are an expert one, you may not know how to use the electric plank bender for ship modeling so precisely. Don’t worry about it.

HOW TO USE IT FOR BENDING AND SHAPING

From now on we are going to explain how to use the Electric Plank Bender step-by-step. We do it thanks to the fantastic help of a video made by one of the professional modelers on our team. Previously, two fundamental tips for those who are going to use this modeling tool for the first time.

  1. Moisten wood to be pre-treated for several hours for best results.
  2. It is not necessary to exert great pressure with the tool to be able to shape the wood.

As you have watched on the video, once you see how to do it, it is much easier to bend and shape wooden parts. This Artesania Latina‘s great product, the Electric Plank Bender (27074-1), it will save you a lot of sweat on your forehead and a lot of frustration in your mind.

SET OF 6 MINI FASTENING PLIERS

If you want the work to look totally professional, we recommend that you also use the Set of 6 Mini Fastening Pliers 30 mm (27200), sold separately. It allows the modeler to fix the already bent and molded strips with an opening of up to 30 mm to, for example, a glass so that they do not lose their achieved shape. Without forgetting that during the bonding processes with adhesive they are essential. The retractable spring of each of these clips causes it to return to its closed position.

Set of 6 Mini Fastening Pliers 30 mm - 1.18'' (27200).

If you also need to know a few brushstrokes of theoretical information about how to build model ship hulls, there is a related blog post. Click here to read it.

NOW AVAILABLE 110-VOLTS AMERICAN VERSION ELECTRIC PLANK BENDER!

The modelers of the American continent are lycky thanks to a 2022 new product from Artesania Latina: the 110-Volts Electric Plank Bender American Version (27074-AM) -you can only see the product sheet if you live in America-. Many times demanded by our client friends, until now we could not send it to be used because it was not adapted to the electrical systems of their homes and workshops. You can use it now!

New 110-Volts American Version Electric Plank Bender for Model Building (27074-AM).

In short, the electric plank bender for naval modeling and its consequent use greatly facilitate the assembly of one of the most complicated areas to assemble on a model ship. Try this ship modeling tool! As soon as you use it, the modeler can only live with it!

Posted in Modeling Tools & Accessories

Micro Tools for Modeling: The Expected New Product Catalog 2021-2022

Artesania Latina decided three years ago to create a specific collection of small tools: the Micro Tools for Modeling are aimed at the model building in general, and the assembly of ship models in particular, naval modeling. There were five different types of micro tools for modeling, all made of stainless steel, which were part of Artesania Latina’s catalog: the Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers A (27300) and Micro Moulding Scrapers B (27301), the Micro Saws (27302), the Micro Drawing Set (27325) and the Wooden Simulation Template (27322).

Micro Tools for Modeling. 2021-2022 Catalog and New Products.

However, after the enormous success among our modelers friends of this type of small size and enormous functionality tool for its precision, Artesania Latina has designed and manufactured five new Micro Tools for Modeling, in order to facilitate to the amateur and professional of this beautiful hobby the daily tasks with the miniature: Micro Mitre Box 45º and 90º (27303), Micro Rigging Tools (27321), Micro Moulding Scrapers C (27304), Micro Easy Ratlines Template 6.5 mm (27311) and Micro Centering Ruler (27326).

MICRO TOOLS FOR MODELING: MITRE BOX FOR PRECISION CUTS (27303)

We show you the first brand new micro tool: the Micro Mitre Box 45º and 90º (27303). This tiny but resistant and effective tools, useful both for modeling and for all types of crafts, allows the modelers to cut 45 and 90 degrees in two materials: plastic and wood.

With total precision, you can obtain the necessary splits so that the parts fit perfectly, such as small strips for a ship model. For this, the Micro Mitre Box reflects two different units of measurement: millimeters and inches.

Micro Tools for Modeling. Micro Mitre Box with Precision Saws.

This very useful mini tool, presented in photo-etched and also made of stainless steel, so its longevity and reliability are assured, is divided into 4 essential elements: the mitre or miter, the fine saw -for plastics-, the coarse saw -magnificent to work the wood- and the MDF base, ideal to protect the area where the cuts are made with this modeling tool. For optimal use of these Micro Tools for Modeling, it is recommended to incorporate the handle of the Universal Cutter # 5.

It is not the only novelty for this year from Artesania Latina if we talk about the commented micro tools for modeling and crafts, then we show you the other great idea in the form of mini utensil.

MICRO OUTILS FOR MODELING: SHIP MODEL RIGGING TOOLS (27321)

It is a Micro Tool specifically for ship modeling, since it only serves to build the riggings of the model ships. We are talking about the Micro Rigging Tools (27321).

The Micro Rigging Tools are made of stainless steel and it comes in photo-etched format, ensuring its functionality and its nonexistent deterioration by rust or the passage of time.

Micro Tools for Modeling. Micro Rigging Tools for Ship Models.

They are used to place each one of the sails and the cotton threads of any naval scale model, any ship model. Specifically, the blister of the Micro Rigging Tools bring the following items: 5 hooks and pushers in order to easily handle the numerous threads and / or to remove any object of the model ship that makes impossible the access to the ship modeler.

These hooks and pushers, in order to be handled or wielded, need another metal attached to the photo-etched: a steel crosspiece to be assembled with each tool. However, we recommend an added handle like the one belonging to the Universal Cutter # 5.

MICRO MOULDING SCRAPERS / MICRO SHAPERS C: SHAPE BOAT MODELS STRIPS (27304)

Another novelty for 2021 in terms of Micro Tools for Modeling are the Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers C (27304). They are used to mold wooden and plastic strips of any ship, dollhouse or building model, among other scale models. After the success achieved with the other two types of Micro Shapers, A and B, Artesania Latina team has created this third variant. Thus we expand the number of ways with which the aforementioned materials can be worked.

Micro Moulding Scrapers C / Micro Shapers C.

The Micro Moulding Scrapers C are also essential for naval modeling. This set includes 3 high quality metal plates with about 15 or 16 different shapes for each of these. In this way, the modeler can achieve around 45 varied reliefs thanks to these specific micro tools for modeling. The existing measurements in these Micro Shapers C are the following: 1.5×5 mm, 2×5 mm, 1.5×4 mm, 2×4 mm, 3×4 mm and 5×4 mm.

Also included special trapezoidal shapes for 1×3 mm and 1.5×4 mm strips. Micro Moulding Scrapers C also facilitate working with sticks and rods of different diameters to reinforce them. They are fantastic modeling tools for model ships rigging.

Decorate your wooden and plastic models by shaping the materials you work with. Get beautiful and many elementary motifs with these new Micro Shapers C. To do this, sand the material through which the plate is going to pass in the chosen shape. Then take the Micro Moulding Scrapers C and pass it over the wooden or plastic strip being treated. Just repeat that process several times until you achieve the desired shape and … It’s done!

MICRO TEMPLATES FOR EASY RATLINES

The last of the 2021 novelties of Micro Tools for Modeling made by Artesania Latina are the Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines 5 mm (27310), Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines 6.5 mm (27311) and Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines 8 mm (27312). The set includes three wooden templates with various widths according to the different shrouds. When building any model ship rigging, in addition to making the assembly process easier for you, the micro jigs will save you large amounts of thread when you are focused on the ratlines.

Micro Tools for Modeling. Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines.The Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines are placed behind the shrouds. With the side ‘combs’ a zig-zag thread is passed in front of them. Put everything and add a dot of glue on each joint of the shrouds and on the thread that you have put in front. Next, cut off the excess threads. Much better to make the scales so knot by knot at each joint.

Micro Templates for Easy Ratlines.

Finally, we recommend you watch the video below these lines. There you can see how are the shiny new Micro Tools for Modeling that the Artesania Latina team has designed and created in 2021. Next post, we will talk about all the previous Micro Tools in the catalog, a total success among our modelers friends.

 

NEW FOR 2022! MICRO TOOLS FOR MODELING: MICRO CENTERING RULER (27326)

We already present a new for 2022 of the Micro Tools for Modeling made by Artesania Latina: Micro Centering Ruler (27326). It allows building models and other crafts with greater ease and precision as it indicates the center of the parts. Made of high quality stainless steel, the Micro Centering Ruler brings a metric and imperial measurement systems, with 3.93” (10cm) for each side. The 0 is on the center of the ruler, which includes a protractor and small holes to mark the measurements with a mechanical pencil or pencil. Indispensable so that everything is square!

Micro Tools for Modeling. Micro Centering Ruler (27326).

Click to know the rest of Micro Tools for Model Building…

Posted in Modeling Tools & Accessories

Buy Modeling Tools: How to Build a Ship Model Made of Wood (Part II)

Buy modeling tools because it is essential for the construction of any ship model. The modeler should know that it is better to spend a little more money on quality tools than buying the cheapest ones on the market. If you choose this last alternative, you could suffer many unwanted setbacks. They are the best friends of the modeler, do not skimp on money in these ones. Good tools for naval modeling will improve the modeler skills, save time and effort, and keep the modeler positive attitude to any kind of challenge.

Buy modeling tools. Specific Modeling Tool Sets.

Like Artesania Latina modeling toolkits, these could be classified into three types: basic, intermediate and expert.

BUY MODELING TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS

The basic tools are essential to build any type of model, without these ones it would be like building a house without cement, concrete or bricks. We list them here: pliers with different shapes; carpenter’s hammer with small ball; set of saws; chisel; cutters and blades; files; drills and drill bits; electric plank bender or the hand one; rasp; needle threader; tweezers; rules, bevels and compass; awl; clamps and sergeants; sanding block and sandpapers; brushes; metal brush; scissors; vise; glue (cyanoacrylate) or white glue; nailer; pins and nails.

Buy modeling tools. Assortment of Generic Tools for Modeling.

MODELING TOOLS FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Buy modeling tools for intermediate level will enable you to work better, especially in more difficult scale ship models, but you must make a greater investment, so if you want to try models of that skill before spending a large amount of money on these tools it would be a good idea: electric drill – better with speed modulator-; electric soldering iron; miter box for cutting; rotary table; waterline marker; universal bench screw; magnifying glasses with LED light and without it; hull support; cutting template for the cover and template for the rigging – not necessary on Artesania Latina models-; and brackets for precision drilling.

Buy modeling tools. Intermediate Level Tools.

BUY MODELING TOOLS FOR EXPERTS

Speaking about the modeling tools for experts – if the model is built from 0 without any modeling kit -, these ones require greater skills by the modeler: electric bench sander with disc and belt; electric bench grinder; lathe; mini vacuum cleaner; electric marquetry saw; and electric disc saws.

Buy modeling tools. Modeling Tools for Experts.

There are also specific micro tools or mini tools for modeling created by Artesania Latina that any modeler must have in the workshop. They are the Micro Tools: micro moulding scrapers / micro shapers, micro saws, micro rules and micro simulation template in wood, to which we will add two more, it will be a surprise!

Buy modeling tools. Specific Micro Tools for Modeling.

TOOLS ORGANIZATION AND MODELER’S WORKSHOP

It is time to organize all the modeling tools and create a workspace, so we will now talk about the modeler’s workshop. This should be as large as possible to be able to build any size of ship model and to house all the necessary tools.

It is convenient that the modeler workshop also has drawers for storing, for example, small tools such as drill bits and blades, and tiny parts of the scale model that is intended to be built so that they do not get lost. You can place the drawers on the table at the ends or behind.

Or if you do not have these, we offer you another Artesania Latina’s wonderful product: the Compact Modeler Workbench and the Paints Organizer.

Compact Workshop (27648) and Modeler's Paintings and Tools Organizer (27648P).

Remember, when you assemble your modeling workshop, arrange the plugs in front of you so that when you use the power tools, the cables reach your work area. Once the day is over, you can unplug them or disconnect them if you use a power strip with switch. Also, on the front, hang in front of where your model is assembling the scale model planes, so you can continually consult any questions about its assembly.

PROTECTION AND GOOD LIGHTNING FOR BUILDING MODELS

It is also important that you protect your work table if you do not want to be full of grooves and holes in the future, therefore, use cutting mats such as these ones: sizes A2, A3 and A4, depending on your needs.

Cutting Mats A2, A3 and A4 to protect the work table.

As for the lighting that the room and the table where the modeler works should have, we recommend that you put two white light LED bulbs of 12 watts on the ceiling, and as a direct table light a white light LED bulb, but in this case 2/5 watts. For this last lighting, we strongly recommend our reading lamp with magnifying glass, 60 white LED lights and three magnifications.

Reading Lamp with 60 LED & Magnifying Glass 3x.

Optimum ventilation is essential when you are working at your workshop, keep in mind that you will continually use products with chemicals such as cyanoacrylates – glues -, white glues, varnishes, paints and solvents. If you are very far from a window, it would be convenient to put a fan, odors and fumes exhaust like those that are usually placed in the bathrooms near your mounting area.

Another need for the modeler’s workshop, if you do not live alone, is the installation of a small sink for rinsing, because it is not good idea to clean the products in a place like the kitchen or bathroom if you live with more people.

Finally, a hung plank, facing the vision of the modeler, to place the tools you usually use would facilitate your work and save efforts. Live the ship modeling with us!

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