(Part 2) Best products from r/metalearth

The mandrels were a great purchase, as were the pliers I got from Amazon here:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNY9TKW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Those and the slanted tweezers are pretty much all I use.

I did the Roosevelt awhile back so I knew what to expect this time because keeping those levels even was the most annoying part.

The other biggest tip is always bend around objects. If you need to do a cylinder, wrap it around a drill bit. I used one on this even for this tiny circular corners for those walls. Find household objects to press against when you need to do complex bends and it will always turn out better than trying to do it by hand.

Like with Iron Man https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Qn15g8N5L._SL1080_.jpg I was using that baster to get the sloping curves for his legs, torso etc. A marble for the head and the joints that make his shoulders. It pays to be creative.

Well the to-do pile is a bit out of control. I have 100+ waiting and i got 9 on order lol. I keep my inventory up while i have extra money. I plan on doing some home improvements next year and will not be able to spend as much. The shelves i get from amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015QDZLJA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Advice I got from this thread, pick up one of these when you can, great little twister.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GXGNMV2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_4VNvCbM29TDAC

Personal advice, always twist 90° and always twist clockwise. That way you know which way and how far when you need to untwist it.

Also (learned from other resident experts) an exacto knife (something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KRSWM6/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_PZNvCbZ40WD5) is great for getting under those tabs when you need to pry them up. You can dull the edge a little, or live dangerously.

Good Luck! I am also using Crab Spoon and metal Madler.
(https://www.amazon.com/HIC-Lobster-Japanese-Stainless-8-Inches/dp/B0041HRJVQ/)

If anyone in the UK wants the 3 important tools, then they're £7 on Amazon right now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Redline-67924-Handles-3-Piece/dp/B011IL426C/ref=sr_1_3?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1480297623&sr=1-3

Wish I didn't pay £18 at Hobbycraft now!!

I have this (or something very similar to it). I've enjoyed it very much.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-PHIVE-Magnifier-Adjustable-Workbench/dp/B07MYXSW5V/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=desk+adjustable+magnifying+lamp&qid=1567711345&s=gateway&sr=8-11

But I also used these for quite a long time and for 10 bucks its worth a try.
https://www.amazon.com/SE-Illuminated-Dual-Flip-Magnifier/dp/B003UCODIA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3VAS1BS7X2RI7&keywords=jewelers+magnifying+glass&qid=1567711408&s=gateway&sprefix=jewelers+m%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-5

If you get Optimus you need to get Megatron to go with him. Both are very fun builds, and there is a double pack on amazon for $24:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z3TA59E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_B7ACCbF50H0AF

I love these. The blades are small enough to get into the really small areas.
https://www.amazon.com/XURON-170-II-Micro-Shear-Flush-Cutter/dp/B07BSSG48F

I prefer super glue with an activator these days, I use this stuff. Sets in a couple of seconds and you can use it on places you won't be able to get UV light to cure the resin.

These things are amazing https://www.amazon.com/WRAPPING-MANDREL-WORKING-MAKING-JEWELRY/dp/B00WIXWSWK

I use mandrels. Here is a mini one and here is a larger one that I use. I have used wooden dowels in the past to help achieve a certain roundness.

HALO: Forerunner Phaeton

Sitting on a Iron Man for a while. Kinda my reward for finishing one of my novels that has been stuck at 71K (of 75k) for a bit. Other than that, waiting on tax returns. My budget is tight. Yeah, $10/mo tight.

Rayley Electrical Cutting Plier Wire Cable Cutter Side Snips Flush Pliers Tool 170 Flush Cutter Internal Spring Cutting Pliers Small Wire Cutters Running pliers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R2M513/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uY8WCbQH8KG7K

These work pretty well for me.

do you mean these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00340T4IM/ref=asc_df_B00340T4IM5373269/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00340T4IM&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216503370645&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2643335347203857780&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008148&hvtargid=pla-350338810685

I've seen some at AC Moore, and thought about getting some but didn't know what I would need them for. If you mean the ones without the three stages on them like the link, I think it is the same sort of thing, its for "looping" wires or something in jewelry making. searching for "jewelry looping/looper pliers" should get you quite a few kinds of results.

Michael's has coupons for one item at 50% off from time to time so I was able to get the cases for $30 each.

Here is the light strip that I got:
https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Non-waterproof-Christmas-Decoration-Daylight/dp/B00HSF65MC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094562&sr=8-5&keywords=led+light+strip

This is enough to do both cases. For the power since I do not have them hung up where I would like them to be yet I just got a battery pack. This is the one that I am using now:

https://www.amazon.com/Octopak-2-s-Tm-Battery-Supply/dp/B00LH31OC2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094692&sr=8-3&keywords=led+light+strip+battery+pack

I then bought the a Y adapter so that I could power both strips at the same time.
https://www.amazon.com/ESUMIC-Power-Female-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B00G6G5DJ0/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500094769&sr=8-2-fkmr3&keywords=led+light+strip+battery+pack+splitter

Thanks so much! It was quite a learning experience. I think I need to buy some sort of drill bit set for rounding. I bought this but it doesn't really help when you have a long piece you need to round off.