building wagon kits

[par]

 
I have been given two wagon kits but I have found that my hands have started to tremble
Iam have great difficulty hold the bits steady .
I wonder if other forum members have they same problem and how they over came the problem
   

[Newportnobby]

I, too, suffer from trembling hands so took the decision not to make kits wherever possible, although I have a few Metcalfe ones to make. For soldering and the like, I use a pair of 'helping hands' + magnifying glass in order to see and grip things although I can't really imagine this would help with building wagons

[Bealman]

Yeah I have set of those which I use all the time in electronics work. However I suspect they could damage plastic parts.

Bluetack, perhaps?   

I too suffer the same problem, by the way... some days worse than others, though. 

[Zunnan]

If you use a helping hand with crocodile clips and are concerned about damaging plastic, a handy tip is to use a sliver of laminate floor underlay folded over to act like a glove. These clamps are brilliant for all manner of kit assembly, plastics and soldering especially as they afford effectively hands free alignment prior to gluing and then a stable position while the adhesive cures. While I prefer to hand hold plastic, my asbestos fingers are pretty dismal, so I need a hand for soldered kits and bits

[Newportnobby]

Hi Par,
Just in case you are wondering what we are referring to:-

http://www.connevans.co.uk/product/1219/MXY057AA/Helping-hand---magnifying-glass

[Bealman]

If you use a helping hand with crocodile clips and are concerned about damaging plastic, a handy tip is to use a sliver of laminate floor underlay folded over to act like a glove. These clamps are brilliant for all manner of kit assembly, plastics and soldering especially as they afford effectively hands free alignment prior to gluing and then a stable position while the adhesive cures. While I prefer to hand hold plastic, my asbestos fingers are pretty dismal, so I need a hand for soldered kits and bits

Hi!

In the words of an infamous Australian politician, "Please explain"

A silver laminate floor underlay? Isn't that going to be a bit harsh on wee N scale stuff?

I envisage in my mind some sort of really thick material!

But that could be my brain material..... 

[par]

 
just a quick thank  you to the replys to my inquiry

   

[Michael Shillabeer]

Hello

I find these very useful for holding wagon sides together

http://finneyandsmith.co.uk/finneyandsmith/right%20clamp.html

Best regards
Michael

[Bealman]

Thanks, Michael!

Great link.... where was all this stuff when I was tryin' so hard?!

And here I am, suggesting Bluetack! Ancient, am I.

Great info! 

George

[scotsoft]

Lego bricks can also be useful for keeping sides square whilst applying some glue 

cheers John.

[Zunnan]

Hi!

In the words of an infamous Australian politician, "Please explain"

A silver laminate floor underlay? Isn't that going to be a bit harsh on wee N scale stuff?

I envisage in my mind some sort of really thick material!

But that could be my brain material..... 

A sliver, not silver I mean the thin foam underlay that is often used for track underlay. Folded over it is about 3mm thick, plus the thickness of the component, under compression it is thinned considerably but it will still largely protect the plastic from the jaws of the clamps.

[Bealman]

Thanks! A SLIVER! Totally my mistake... see what I mean about brain material? 

An excellent tip!

[ozzie Bill.]

Hi, some great links there, especially those 4 square holding tools.
@ par, do you know what causes your trembles and can it be reduced at all through treatment?
my hands occasionally tremble slightly and I find it easiest to rest my hands against something solid when I work on small or delicate items. However, not knowing how bad your tremble is makes it hard to offer useful suggestions. Are you able to share with us a bit  more info?
no intent to pry. Cheers, Bill.

[d-a-n]

This is all very useful for someone who knows several gents who may needsuch things in future years!

What kits are they? Peco snap together or something a bit more tricky? If all else fails, maybe someone at a modelling club could lend you a hand?

[par]

 :hellosign thanks again for all the replys and great ideas .
in reply to ozzie bill not sure what causes the tremble can start at anytime  and anywhere
I never had the problem when I was at work which included welding both electric and gas
and abit of soldering .
Maybe the best answer is to get some help from fellow modelers