First, let’s keep it limited to two. I’m not referring to airbrushes and associated air compressors which, I’m sure, most of us have so let’s consider that as a given. I’m referring to those implements that we have on our workbench and, over time, now take for granted and occasionally realize that we could never get along without them.
Personally my two choices are:
No. 1: Daylight U32500 Triple Bright Lamp
I’ve had my share of desk lamps and workbench lamps but nothing compares to this one and I wish had purchased one earlier even if not for building models. The light output is amazing for its size and none of those useless springs and tightening knobs on the outside of the arms which never seem to keep those freaking lamps in place. Simply move it where you want it and it STAYS. Also, the silvered baffle on the light virtually removes any shadows which can be a very big irritation with other lamps. I actually love this lamp so much I’m seriously considering in purchasing another.
No.2: Carson Optical Pro Series MagniVision
At 70 years of age I’ve been wearing glasses for a good long time and it’s certainly not getting any better. Even though I have progressive lenses I more often than not have a difficult time reading small print much less messing about with what seems at times to be microscopic pieces of PE and painting small details with a brush. The Carson Optical Pro Series lenses are a godsend for me and are not at all that uncomfortable. They come with four sets of lenses although I normally only use one 95% of the time. In other instances the next high powered lens comes in handy. It also has a strong LED lamp on the top, but I rarely have need to use it with the above mentioned workbench light that I have.
Obviously there are a plethora of other items that I (we) could not get along without, but as I previously said, lets try to limit it to the top two.
I also consider a good, positionable light about my most important tool I use one of those fluorescent ring lights with a big magnifying lens in the middle. I love it except for one big problem. The switches all go bad in about two years. I guess the arcing from the starter is just too much for third world switch designers/makers these days. So I would like to find a good, bright LED lamp with a magnifier built on.
I use readers for eye magnification. Recently had cataract surgery, which made the eyes more uniform, and I can now go up over two diopters now. When I look through the magnifier with those readers I get more magnification than I can use with my increasingly fumble fingers
My magnifiers and LED lamp are the two most important workbench purchases. Without these invaluable tools I would not be able to do the modifications that I do in 1/72.
The LED is a Snap on unit rated at 2000 lumins. I made a fully adjustable stand for it.
These are the two magnifiers I use. My favorite is the one with the square lens by EdnaLite Corp. with high quality optics , built in light and multi articulating arm.
The lamp and visor, also. Those I need for working on a kit. The handyest addition for me would be the fishing tackle tray. All my tools are put away after each sitting. Each time I sit down I grab the tray, it has 2 compartments of files, felix and metal. One for the various tweezers. One for tube cement, still my basic. And a compartment for the knifes.
I have 3 my new round 92 led swing arm lamp I found at Amazon a pair of micro fine tweezers and my Touch and Flow really helped my glueing. ACE[2cnts]SES5
I was thinking the very same thing. It looks more like the stockroom of a Hobby store rather than a workroom in a home. No one could possibly have that many models in their stash!
Are those boxes of unbuilt models on the shelves located on both sides of the door??? If so, that is a huge stash.
I was thinking the very same thing. It looks more like the stockroom of a Hobby store rather than a workroom in a home. No one could possibly have that many models in their stash!
My two are pretty pedestrian. First, I bought two four tube T-8 fixtures with daylight temperature bulbs for overall lighting in my 12’ x 12’ modeling space which made a huge differance from the crappy lighting I had before. Those plus an incadescent/flourescent drafting lamp directly over the table really make modelling easier.
The second item is almost ludicrous. Some time in the distant past I acquired a high school biology dissecting kit which has a scalpel (spelling?) blade holder, some very precise tweezers, two pointed probes which sharpened easily to clean dust out of panel lines, and a well balanced hook tool that has become a very useful scriber.
One is another vote for a fluorescent ring light with magnifying lens.
I’ve had several of these over the years and had problems with all of them. Either the arm/swivel mechanism breaks or the part that attaches the arm to your workbench breaks.
This one is a floor standing model. Much more heavy duty. Metal gears and rachets instead of springs. Glass lens. heavy duty light switch. Also, the focus range is much better than others I’ve had. Looks like something from the 50/60’s. Could be from a jeweller or dentist.
$8 at Goodwill! $6 for new bulb.
Two is another light. This is one of those leds that you see some guys attach to the bill of a baseball cap. Very small and light weight. I did have to mount it upside-down to optivisor-like head set to get the light to shine on the work area.
These both do double duty in my electronics repair hobby.
