Karabean Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I picked up some gale force 9 rods and bits, but they don't list their gauge or size or anything, (I've emailed them to ask what the sizes are already, I'm hoping the smaller sizwe will work to pin together Jolie) which got me wondering; where do people usually shop for their pinning rods when they're not using sewing pins or paperclips? I've tried rio grande and firemountaingems but all they sell is wire. Have you found any good sizes that play well together, gauge and bit -wise? Have a good one folks! Kara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maltique Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I don't know about anyone else, but I have a tendency to use sewing pins. They are just about the right size. and really cheap. I also use little bits that are for making jewelry. They are a little thicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I generally just use paperclips for my pins. They are strong enough, easy to cut and easy to get. Depending on the brand and size they will use different gauge drill bits, but I just hold them up next to the bits to find the right size. ITs not like you need a precision fit, just close enough is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruggs Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I use brass rods. They are sold at my hobby shop near the brass sheets and plasticard. The rods come labeled with the size in 10 inch tall packets. I have yet to go through one package with all the pinning I have done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 (edited) Hobby Emporium, Inc 440 Middlesex Rd Tyngsboro, MA Right next door to Trader Joes. They are primarily a model train store, but they have all the requisite matierials you need for most mini related projects. Edited September 8, 2009 by Qwyksilver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilvish the Deliverer Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hobby Emporium, Inc440 Middlesex Rd Tyngsboro, MA Right next door to Trader Joes. They are primarily a model train store, but they have all the requisite matierials you need for most mini related projects. Great store! I practically used to live there when they were in the Royal Ridge Mall in Nashua. Got my first set of minis there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lastman Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 http://www.ksmetals.com/ K&S Engineering sells brass rods in a variety of sizes. They sell tubes and small sheets too. Ace Hardware usually has a kiosk. I've heard from old-timers that non-brass rods will corrode over time. From their site: Full Line Metal Specialists - Tubing, Shapes, Wire, Tools and Accessories for the Hobbyist Our products can be found at the following retail locations: Local Hobby Shops Ace Hardware True Value Hardware Do It Best Hdwr Hobby Lobby Orchard Supply Pearl Paint Blick Art Materials Utrect Art Handy Hardware Azel Art Stores McMaster Carr MSC Industrial Small Parts Travers Tool If you want to be able to swap weapons on a model two of these tiny magnets be set into a model's arm and shoulder: NEODYMIUM DISC MAGNETS Flat and round. The most common and economical shape for neodymium magnets. http://www.kjmagnetics.com/categories.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Bedlam Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I use straight pins and paperclips for pretty much everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Ditto on the paper clips. Been dipping in the same box for almost a decade now. Although I don't pin much any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizard Hlavaz Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hobby Emporium, Inc440 Middlesex Rd Tyngsboro, MA Right next door to Trader Joes. They are primarily a model train store, but they have all the requisite matierials you need for most mini related projects. Great store! I practically used to live there when they were in the Royal Ridge Mall in Nashua. Got my first set of minis there. Definitely a candy store for the modeling junkie. So many nifty tools and gadgets and supplies. Very easy to get carried away spending on sanding sticks, knives, sealants, terrain materials, etc., etc. You'll be in range of the store on Saturday, Kara. In answer to your question, I often use 2" eye pins for jewelry making. You can get them at Michael's. They're softer than sewing pins, so easier to cut. And they're slightly smaller in gauge than most paperclips, so they fit smaller connections. For tiny parts (like on Rackham metal models with slender wrists), I clip a length of my drill bit off and use it. I have a bunch of 1/64 Polished Jobber Drill Bits that I use in a micro pin vice. The bits are quite long and threaded only on the lower third. So I clip the shafts and use them for pins on tiny pieces. You can find them online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karabean Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 So many great ideas! The store is _very_ tempting. I've tried putting my first assemble mini together and what do you know, I broke the bit off in the joint, pretty close to flush. Now I have to see if I can pry it out or drill right next to the stuck bit. There was plenty of cursing going on, luckily I don't have kids ^-^ Paperclips sound like a nice cheap way to go, except for those pesky small joints. For this one, Jolie, I went with a smaller diameter rod because her arm isn't that wide and I didn't want to poke through by accident. I'm not sure I'd recommend the pin vice I used though, it's a bit small for my hand and doesn't grip the bit tightly enough to always keep it from slipping. Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilwarin Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I use paper clips :) They're cheap, easy to use, and easy to find pretty much anywhere both in house or in a store! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnrrrg Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 http://www.miniaturemarket.com/inc/searchr...ng&n=777811 Actually, like others here I use paperclips, but had to get a drill somewhere. They had a good Galeforce 9 kit that included drill, pinning rods, cutters, files, and some other things but I think i bought the last one (that was a while ago but I haven't seen any others advertised since). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwyksilver Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 No need to pay for an overpriced set. Any decent modelling shop will have individual pin vises for sale, without the logo mark-up. Personally, I just use a Dremel for most of my drilling needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizard Hlavaz Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I've tried putting my first assemble mini together and what do you know, I broke the bit off in the joint, pretty close to flush. Now I have to see if I can pry it out or drill right next to the stuck bit. There was plenty of cursing going on, luckily I don't have kids ^-^ Been there... Too many times. You'll learn to become very patient with hand drilling... A few twists... back out... clean the bit out... back in... a few twists... etc. Slow, I'll grant you, but keeps you from transforming into the Hulk when you snap a bit off in the damn model. (and always flush, right? Never so you can use the bit as your pin and forget about it...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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