The Best Metals For Model Makers

http://www.rapidmetals.co.uk/
The Best Metals For Model Makers
When looking for metals for model makers, you can find just about everything you need in a hobby shop, but it will come at a significant cost. This is especially true of hard to find materials. You will probably be surprised to learn that these materials aren't so hard to find in non-model industries, and you can save a lot of money purchasing from non-traditional sources. In this article, we will review various types of metals and give suggestions for good sources. Read on to learn more.

Search Online For Good Internet And Local Sources And Purchases

An online search can yield good results in metal suppliers/depots. Refining your search by looking for "miniature" metal tubing and other components may be helpful in finding the most useful sizes and shapes for your purpose.

Aluminum and/or brass tubes can be used for a variety of details on models (e.g. antennae, cannons, machine guns, etc.) Brass tubing is good for making wheel bushings to get just the right fit for wheels that may be a bit loose on your axles. You can get aluminum and/or brass tubing from fuel tank manufacturers.

You will find many uses for brass plate and aluminum plate in model building. Remember that aluminum is the lighter weight choice, but if you want to solder a part onto a plate, you should use brass.

If you are building model planes, you will need dural aluminum plate to make your landing gear. You'll use soft aluminum plate for crafting parts such as DIY control horns, internal mounts and a number of other items. You can also use 1/16 aluminum to create templates if you need to make several identical parts.

Purchase Wire By The Roll Rather Than Paying For Stingy, Pricey Kits

You can use plain electrical wire found in any home supply store to make battery charger cords, servo extensions and other electrical connections. Brass and/or copper wire from your local home supply store is quite handy in model building. It is excellent for holding small parts together prior to soldering.

Music wire is a high carbon steel wire that is useful in building landing gear for model planes, creating throttle push-rods and in a number of other applications. It is available in a variety of sizes and is far less expensive to purchase in bulk (roll or rods) online than in tiny increments at a craft and hobby shop.

Always Be On The Lookout For Metal Components You Can Use

There are a number of off-beat ways of getting a good collection of the best metals for model makers. Try perusing the fishing tackle aisle at your local sporting goods shop. You may find many items you can re-purpose in model building. Open your mind and use your imagination to think of novel ways to use these relatively inexpensive supplies.

It is also possible to get random collections of metal tubing, rods and plate by purchasing one-pound bits and pieces grab bags from popular hobby suppliers. These are end pieces and remnants, but a little skill and creativity will go a long way toward helping you craft just the metal part you need to skillfully build your model.

Gather A Comprehensive Collection Of Model Building Metals

If you just build a model every once in a while, you may think it's fine to purchase smaller amounts of supplies at higher prices from hobby shops. If you are an avid builder, your hobby will surely burden your budget if you make this a regular practice. Really, if you plan to build more than one model in your lifetime, it pays to purchase metals for model makers in bulk from novel sources. These non-perishable supplies will last forever when properly stored, and with a good supply on hand you will always have what you need to build or repair models.