Hand Made Holding Tool

I have watched all the FujiTV show’s Plamo Tsukurou shows and I noticed a lot of them were using these metal rods with alligator clips stuck in to Styrofoam. Turns out they were Gunze Sangyo’s”Mr. Almighty Clip II”. I looked in to get a sets because they did seem to be very useful and a good idea till I saw they were 30 bucks. So I gave up and went on about my usually things till I was cleaning out the shop building throwing out some old lumber used to build the shop. Then it occurred to me make my own clip set from my lumber. I quickly found my drill, 3/8”s drill bit, and marked off an inch square grid. Then drill a small hole where each line intersected. I then went down to Hobby Lobby and bought three 3/8” dowel rods, and then at radio shack and picked up two sets of alligator clips (large and small). I cut the dowel rods in to tall, medium and short lengths and put the alligator clips in on end of each rod and used a bit of masking tape to make they fit snug or where held in place. A few of the rods do not have clips and I use blue poster tack, to hold model pieces on to the stick. The rods fit smoothly in the holes but are not too loose let them wobble. Once finished I figure I had made it for about 5 dollars and I have used it quite a bit. I have made 4 “bases” of different shapes. One is a 2x4 about a foot long, it is great for long hulls or if I am priming a bunch of small parts I can line them up on it and run the spray can down the line. I figure I could get alligator clips cheaper some else but I new radio shack would have them. If you have the spare time and tools I would suggest you make one of these, they are very useful both as a place to hold and prime you kits but also I use the rods with clip to hold small parts while I air brush them. Depending on the part you may want to use blue tack instead so the “teeth” do not leave bite marks on the parts (which I have never had a problem with)

Contact me at josborn@happinessismandatory.com