Tools of Our Trade

[Wad Cutter]

I'm looking for a tool that will mold paper to form a small dish like object. I'm working on Super Dave's koolwheelz GALILEO space shuttle. The part I'm trying to make is the front cap to the engines. I ended up make a tool that for now will work. I Gorillaed epoxied ball bearings to the end of wooden dowels. By pressing the ball bearning into the end cap resting on paper towels I was able to form it into the shape I needed. There must be a better way. I thought I saw the tool in question here but forgot it's name. Thank you guys. wc

[murphyaa]

what you need are ball burnishers

Here's a thread about them:

Ball Burnishers tool sets requipmended

[Knife]

Your homemade tools look similar to the ready made tools I've seen. I would suggest that you find a rubbery mouse pad to use as a pressing surface. The mouse pad will give a more consistent result.

[JohnM]

Your home made ball bearing tools are exactly what I use Waddie. I have extended the range by epoxy gluing glass marbles onto sticks. However, as these bigger ones often get quite rough usage as internal anvils, I've boosted the handle size by using old felt tip pen barrels.

Suggestion for the domed caps in question ... using a suitably sized ball or marble inside as an anvil, burnish the outside with something smooth and flat, preferably whist the card is still damp from the glue. I mainly use the polished back of a diamond dust nail file (Liberated from the wife's handbag ), but for small stuff during construction, the handle side of my chrome tweezers is great.

I also find just a little bit of damp will help to mold card. ie: Don't spit on it, but just lightly lick the burnishing tool surface. Too much damp will make the card too soggy and will also make the ink colours run.

Knife's recommendation of a softish mouse mat surface is good, but I mostly find that the fleshy bit on the palm of my hand is perfect.

[Vermin_King]

When I attempt to burnish, I've had a little success going the other direction. Instead of using a hard ball on the unfinished side with the paper against a soft surface, I used a medium-soft rubber end of a rocket I liberated from my son's old GI Joe's on the inside and measuring spoons on the finished surface. Whatever works, I guess

[Amccombs3]

I haven't used them, but search for "doll eye sizing tool" or "Kemper doll eye sizer" and you might find something suitable.

[SCEtoAUX]

Dapping block and dapping punches. They come in various sizes and materials.

[at6]

Just looked at the price for such wonders and I may just go the home made route myself.

[Wad Cutter]

After seeing the different materials the ball burnishers are made from of wood or steel I'm wondering which of the two is better. Any opinion on this question. Thank you again. wc

[Vermin_King]

When I have tried using wood for burnishing, even though the wood is smooth, I always got abrasion issues. I also have some fairly hard plastic balls and pen end caps that I use for shaping before gluing