Posted in Modeling Tools & Accessories

Small Model Building Tools: Discover the Micro Tools Collection

In the previous post, we discovered what are the news for 2021 of the collection of small model building tools called Micro Tools, made by Artesania Latina. In this article, we will show which are the products of this type of small tools that have enchanted our modelers friends in recent years.

MICRO SHAPERS A & B (27300 y 27301): SMALL MODEL BUILDING TOOLS

These are the most the best-selling Micro Tools for modeling and crafts, on its two versions, no doubt: the Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers A (27300), the Micro Moulding Scrapers B (27301) and the Micro Moulding Scrapers C.

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers A & B.

Artesania Latina’s Micro Moulding Scrapers or Micro Shapers are the ideal tools to mold any type of model: a boat, a dollhouse or, for example, a building. By means of these, the modeler or crafts artisan can shape or outline both plastic and wooden strips, thus creating moldings with different shapes to decorate the creations.

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers A, B & C.

Presented in packs of three units, both type A and type B. Each of the three plates comes with 15/16 profiling shapes thanks to which the modeler or the crafts artisan can get more than forty different reliefs and designs to decorate your creations.

The Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers A (27300) have the following measures: 0.039’’ x 0.118’’, 0.039’’ x 0.157’’, 0.039’’ x 0.196’’, 0.078’’ x 0.078’’, 0.078’’ x 0.157’’, 0.078’’ x 0.196’’ and 0.157’’ x 0.157’’. The Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers B (27301), which comes next: 0.059’’ x 0.118’’, 0.059’’ x 0.157’’, 0.059’’ x 0.196’’, 0.078’’ x 0.118’’, 0.118’’ x 0.118’’, 0.118’’ x 0.196’’ and 0.196’’ x 0.196’’. The Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers C (27304): 0.059’’ x 0.196’’, 0.039’’ x 0.118’’, 0.078’’ x 0.118’’, 0.059’’ x 0.157’’, 0.078’’ x 0.157’’, 0.118’’ x 0.157’’ and 0.196’’ x 0.157’’.

How do all Micro Moulding Scrapers / Micro Shapers work? Exactly, these small model building tools have to be used passing them over the wooden or plastic strip several times until they can achieve the desired effect. Of course, previously it is recommended to use a sandpaper on the material that is going to work to suppress burrs, roughness or small irregularities. On this aspect, it would be an idea to slide it gently in one direction, upwards. To know how to work with this tool through a video tutorial, we leave one below these lines.

MICRO SAWS (27302) FOR PRECISION CUTS IN WOOD, PLASTIC AND RESIN

Also made of stainless steel and presented in high quality photo-etched, the Micro Saws is a kit that also belongs to the small model building tools collection Micro Tools. It is essential for any modeler or crafts fan who needs to make precision cuts, for example, in wood, plastic and resin. Any part that needs to be cut, and if it is even smaller, has now the right tool: our Micro Saws.

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Saws, Scriber and Adhesive Applicators.

The best thing about this set of saws is that it does not come with one or two, but six micro saws for wood and plastic. It also has a scriber and twoapplicators for cyanoacrylate (glue).

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Saws, Scriber and Adhesive Applicators.

The scriber is used, above all, in plastic models, to make decorative lines or stripes: airplanes, boats, cars, etc. On the other hand, with the two cyanoacrylate applicators, you can paste any scale model parts or any manual work with extreme precision.

As usual, for a better use of the Micro Tools -except for the Micro Shapers and the Micro Template of Wooden Simulation- Artesania Latina recommends the use of the universal cutter handles.

MICRO RULERS (27325): SMALL MODEL BUILDING TOOLS

The Micro Drawing Set or Micro Rulers Set is designed expressly for modelers and manufactured in stainless steel. It has rules, triangles and parallel ruler, all of these very useful to build models when taking accurate measurements in small dimensions.

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Rulers Set or Micro Drawing Set.

The two malleable rulers (one of 1.96’’/50 mm and one of 3.93’’/100 mm), with metric and imperial systems, that brings the pack are perfect to even measure model curved parts. The modeler can fold them when needed and then put them back on its natural position. They can not only serve for the model maker, but also for any crafts fan.

Small Model Building Tools. Micro Rulers Set or Micro Drawing Set.

In addition, the Micro Drawing Set also comes with two squares, both with chamfered corners to avoid glue. They are very useful when used as mounting brackets. And, finally, a parallel ruler.

In order to facilitate workshop organization, all the rulers have a hole to hang them in the place you want. To check the components of this set on video, click on ‘Play’ under these lines.

MICRO TEMPLATE FOR WOODEN SIMULATION (27322): THE NECESSARY CLASSIC TOUCH

The last of the tools for modeling and crafts belonging to Artesania Latina’s Micro Tools Collection, but no less important, is the Micro Template for Wooden Simulation.

Micro Template for Wooden Simulation.

With this tool, with a good varnish and with the help of an airbrush, the modelers and crafts artisans can provide a wooden color to their scale models, doll houses or any object, thus acquiring a total resemblance to the commented material.

This type of painting greatly favors, for example, our wooden and metal aircraft models: Fokker Dr. I (20350) and Sopwith Camel (20351).

To know how to use this tool, just click ‘Play’ in the video below this text.

To see many other crafts and modeling tools from our catalog, click here.

Click to Know the New Products…

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!

Read the first part of the post…

Read the third part of the post…