4 ms·

I've noticed that there is a lack of quality miniature wood/acrylic working tools that are equiv to full sized versions. Specifically, I'm looking for a mini t

I've noticed that there is a lack of quality miniature wood/acrylic working tools that are equiv to full sized versions. Specifically, I'm looking for a mini table saw, router table, etc suitable for something like 1/4 inch wood or acrylic and pieces about the size for making miniature buildings (for model railroading) or other small items. Ideally I'd like to see a miniature Shop Smith multi tool.

convolvatron 4y ago
the unimat was pretty cool. I had one for a while and gave it to a friend. like all the other mini-tools it took a long time to configure for a particular job. but it was more solid than the sherlines, and had a great lego-ish quality to it.
- walterbell 4y ago
  Looks like they are still being sold, http://www.unimat-1.com http://www.unimat-1.com & https://thecooltool.com/en https://thecooltool.com/en
Blackthorn 4y ago
Miniature tools where you introduce the workpiece to the tool (like the ones you listed) seem pretty difficult in small size. Are tools where you introduce the tool to the workpiece (like a dremel instead of a router) no good?
- derekp7 4y ago
  The main reason I was thinking of a fixed tool is it seems that it would be possible to have more precision with it. One example that I've been wanting to do for a while is make my own slide rules. For that you need to cut 1/4 inch boards (or plexiglass) into 3/4 inch wide (or so) strips, then make a tongue and groove cut. What I came up with so far is an adjustable router table for a Dremel that you could use with a 1/16 inch engraving bit, designed for my 3D printer. Just finished making my most recent prototype, but need to rough cut the stock on a regular table saw to try it out. My initial prototype design is here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5395048 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5395048 however I've made a number of tweaks to it (things like getting the screw thread sizing dialed in to account for tolerances on my 3d printer, etc -- eventually I'll post a fully parameterized version that can be tweaked individually). Right now it is designed to hold the Dremel in one hand, feed the work piece through the other. It has a primary pivot fence with 1/32 inch scale marks, and the second pivot fence can be attached to center a work piece (my current design eliminates this second fence and replaces it with a button that works just as good). My next Dremel related 3d design will be a mounting system that attaches where the plastic screws are that holds the motor brushes in place, then I'll see if I can do a lathe, table saw, hand held circular saw, etc).
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
walterbell 4y ago
Lee Valley has a line of miniature hand tools that they make in Canada, but not much in the mini-machine tool category, https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/tools/brand/veritas/miniature-tools https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/tools/brand/veritas/miniatur...
rje 4y ago
For model making table saws and sanders I highly recommend Byrnes Model Machines https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/
- dtgriscom 4y ago
  A tool for making miniature rope! Awesome! https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ropewalk5.html https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ropewalk5.html
  - walterbell 4y ago
    > Rope-making is a skill which dates back to pre-historic times ... scale rope making is, in many ways, even more difficult than making lengths of full-size rope. But no more! Jim's variable speed Ropewalk is a precision machine which will produce scale rope in any length you need ... Wow, immortalizing one human's craftsmanship in a configurable robot.
h2odragon 4y ago
Harbor Freight has a 4in blade "mini table saw" for about $40, iirc. not "quality" probably but may serve the need.
- blip54321 4y ago
  At this point in my life, I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever buy a cheap table saw. Table saws are where fingers come off, where work pieces get chucked at you, and where blades sometimes explode. It's probably the second-most dangerous tool in any shop. A good circular saw and guide can do much the same thing as a cheap table saw, safely. Nice table saws can do some precision work a circular saw can't match (such as various kinds of notches), but not a $40 HF mini table saw. But 90% of what a table saw does, a circular saw properly used will do just as well, only with a bit more work setting up guides. Other tools can handle those rare precision notches a circular saw won't do. Things to be aware of: - You can adjust height and angle on a circular saw. It's more finicky than a table saw, and you might need a protractor, but once you set it, it's good. - You want a long guide you can clip to the piece. - You want something like a Kreg which attaches to the table saw and guides it for e.g. cross-cuts of the same length. If you do want a cheap saw on a table, I'd consider any other kind (e.g. a scroll saw).
- EricE 4y ago
  My favorite review of that saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hd_m0LAsAs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hd_m0LAsAs
panzagl 4y ago
Are you aware of Micromark? (www.micromark.com) Not sure of the quality of what they carry, but they've been around forever.
- larrywright 4y ago
  They carry Proxxon tools in addition to their own stuff. I learned of them from Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame), who spoke highly of them.
mturmon 4y ago
Have you seen the Jointmaker from Bridge City? It’s a very high quality sliding table that holds the workpiece, and is moved by hand over a fixed saw blade. It’s used by musical instrument makers and others who do fine work with small parts. https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro
muro 4y ago
I have the Proxxon micromot. Not bad, but not great either - it wobbles a bit. Could be user error, though.

convolvatron 4y ago

the unimat was pretty cool. I had one for a while and gave it to a friend. like all the other mini-tools it took a long time to configure for a particular job. but it was more solid than the sherlines, and had a great lego-ish quality to it.

walterbell 4y ago
Looks like they are still being sold, http://www.unimat-1.com http://www.unimat-1.com & https://thecooltool.com/en https://thecooltool.com/en

Blackthorn 4y ago

Miniature tools where you introduce the workpiece to the tool (like the ones you listed) seem pretty difficult in small size. Are tools where you introduce the tool to the workpiece (like a dremel instead of a router) no good?

derekp7 4y ago
The main reason I was thinking of a fixed tool is it seems that it would be possible to have more precision with it. One example that I've been wanting to do for a while is make my own slide rules. For that you need to cut 1/4 inch boards (or plexiglass) into 3/4 inch wide (or so) strips, then make a tongue and groove cut. What I came up with so far is an adjustable router table for a Dremel that you could use with a 1/16 inch engraving bit, designed for my 3D printer. Just finished making my most recent prototype, but need to rough cut the stock on a regular table saw to try it out. My initial prototype design is here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5395048 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5395048 however I've made a number of tweaks to it (things like getting the screw thread sizing dialed in to account for tolerances on my 3d printer, etc -- eventually I'll post a fully parameterized version that can be tweaked individually). Right now it is designed to hold the Dremel in one hand, feed the work piece through the other. It has a primary pivot fence with 1/32 inch scale marks, and the second pivot fence can be attached to center a work piece (my current design eliminates this second fence and replaces it with a button that works just as good). My next Dremel related 3d design will be a mounting system that attaches where the plastic screws are that holds the motor brushes in place, then I'll see if I can do a lathe, table saw, hand held circular saw, etc).
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]

walterbell 4y ago

Lee Valley has a line of miniature hand tools that they make in Canada, but not much in the mini-machine tool category, https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/tools/brand/veritas/miniature-tools https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/tools/brand/veritas/miniatur...

rje 4y ago

For model making table saws and sanders I highly recommend Byrnes Model Machines https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/

dtgriscom 4y ago
A tool for making miniature rope! Awesome! https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ropewalk5.html https://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/ropewalk5.html
- walterbell 4y ago
  > Rope-making is a skill which dates back to pre-historic times ... scale rope making is, in many ways, even more difficult than making lengths of full-size rope. But no more! Jim's variable speed Ropewalk is a precision machine which will produce scale rope in any length you need ... Wow, immortalizing one human's craftsmanship in a configurable robot.

h2odragon 4y ago

Harbor Freight has a 4in blade "mini table saw" for about $40, iirc. not "quality" probably but may serve the need.

blip54321 4y ago
At this point in my life, I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever buy a cheap table saw. Table saws are where fingers come off, where work pieces get chucked at you, and where blades sometimes explode. It's probably the second-most dangerous tool in any shop. A good circular saw and guide can do much the same thing as a cheap table saw, safely. Nice table saws can do some precision work a circular saw can't match (such as various kinds of notches), but not a $40 HF mini table saw. But 90% of what a table saw does, a circular saw properly used will do just as well, only with a bit more work setting up guides. Other tools can handle those rare precision notches a circular saw won't do. Things to be aware of: - You can adjust height and angle on a circular saw. It's more finicky than a table saw, and you might need a protractor, but once you set it, it's good. - You want a long guide you can clip to the piece. - You want something like a Kreg which attaches to the table saw and guides it for e.g. cross-cuts of the same length. If you do want a cheap saw on a table, I'd consider any other kind (e.g. a scroll saw).
EricE 4y ago
My favorite review of that saw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hd_m0LAsAs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hd_m0LAsAs

panzagl 4y ago

Are you aware of Micromark? (www.micromark.com) Not sure of the quality of what they carry, but they've been around forever.

larrywright 4y ago
They carry Proxxon tools in addition to their own stuff. I learned of them from Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame), who spoke highly of them.

mturmon 4y ago

Have you seen the Jointmaker from Bridge City? It’s a very high quality sliding table that holds the workpiece, and is moved by hand over a fixed saw blade. It’s used by musical instrument makers and others who do fine work with small parts. https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro

muro 4y ago

I have the Proxxon micromot. Not bad, but not great either - it wobbles a bit. Could be user error, though.