| GROSSMAN | 27 Feb 2018 10:52 p.m. PST |
I have a bunch of ACW flag bearers with solid fists and have no way to stick a pole through them, what do you do to fix this? |
| wrgmr1 | 27 Feb 2018 10:56 p.m. PST |
Dremel drill or a similar type with a very small drill bit. I had to drill holes in over 300 OG Hoplite hands for spears. |
| GROSSMAN | 27 Feb 2018 10:58 p.m. PST |
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| idontbelieveit | 28 Feb 2018 12:15 a.m. PST |
I use something like this:
link (Not an endorsement, just an example). Drilling out the holes is a bit of a pain on the front end, but in the long run, there is no better way to mount spears than through a drilled out hand. I wish everyone did hands this way. |
| advocate | 28 Feb 2018 12:50 a.m. PST |
Be glad it's not a pike army! |
| Trajanus | 28 Feb 2018 2:33 a.m. PST |
Yeah it's a real pain. If I had 300 Hoplites (were they Spartans?) to do I would use my Dremel but you have to be careful with that. I find it's a bit Sledgehammer and Walnut, particularly if you are working on an angle or doing two holes on the same miniature like someone holding a flag pole. Where that's concerned I use a Pin Vise, as shown in the link posted above, where you have far more control. |
| Cleburne1863 | 28 Feb 2018 3:42 a.m. PST |
Yes, pin vice all the way. |
| Glengarry5 | 28 Feb 2018 3:54 a.m. PST |
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| Perris0707 | 28 Feb 2018 6:27 a.m. PST |
Use a pin to start the hole where you want to drill. Works very well. |
| Col Durnford | 28 Feb 2018 7:01 a.m. PST |
Pin vice for the best control. |
| Winston Smith | 28 Feb 2018 7:04 a.m. PST |
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| laptot | 28 Feb 2018 9:26 a.m. PST |
Foredom flex shaft, but then again I'm a jeweler. Be sure to lubricate the drill and when using power drill, faster is better than slow. Finally, use a scribe point to create a small starter depression in the middle of the fist so the drill won't wonder. A set of reamers is also helpful if the hole is just a bit tight for your music wire. |
| wrgmr1 | 28 Feb 2018 10:07 a.m. PST |
Trajanus – they are Athenians. I did these over 10 years ago, not sure if the Pin Vise was around then.
I also had to drill a hole where the shield arm had to glue on. Not the best sculpts from OG but inexpensive. |
| marshalGreg | 28 Feb 2018 11:39 a.m. PST |
2nd for Dremel drill
I done some 24 10mm Union and conf flag bearer to date.
Starting to do so as repairs with the 15s. |
| Trajanus | 28 Feb 2018 12:49 p.m. PST |
wrgmr1 Pin Vise/Vice have been around forever, as far as I know. IIRC they started out in Clock and Watch making way back Interesting to hear laptot mention using a power tool as Pin Vise were a Jewlers tool back in the day too, I believe. I recall model railway buffs using them way back. I just love them for the control they give. Flag bearers are always cast in difficult poses. A whole bunch of spear fists if they are horizontal or vertical – It's Dremel time! |
| wrgmr1 | 28 Feb 2018 3:47 p.m. PST |
Trajanus – I'll have to get one! |
| Trajanus | 28 Feb 2018 11:37 p.m. PST |
Actually, this thread has reminded me that I need to dig mine out to sort the two guys in my new Raven Banner, Union Infantry in Greatcoats! Ho Hum! |
| Trajanus | 01 Mar 2018 6:58 a.m. PST |
There we go! One Pin Vice, two Dremel steel quality bits (one for a guide hole, one as a reamer) Job Done! Thanks for the reminder guys! |
| Lucius | 01 Mar 2018 1:07 p.m. PST |
Not all pin vises are equal. Spend a little extra for a solid one, an you won't regret it. |
| wrgmr1 | 01 Mar 2018 4:09 p.m. PST |
Lucius – Any specific recommendations? |
| Lucius | 02 Mar 2018 5:21 a.m. PST |
I bought mine 30 years ago from MicroMark. This is a similar one.
link If I ever buy a hobby tool, MicroMark is always my first and only stop. Don't forget a set of bits, while you are there. |
| Trajanus | 02 Mar 2018 7:14 a.m. PST |
I recall model railway buffs using them way back. And just to prove my point, Lucius link shows someone drilling a hole in a freight car! :o) |
| wrgmr1 | 02 Mar 2018 10:09 a.m. PST |
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