Basic Tools

B a s i c T o o l s

Article and photos by: Jim Picton - B C Meccano Modellers

We do not need a lot of fancy tools to get a few jobs done. In fact you may have most of what is needed already in your toolbox.

A small Drill Press Table Vise is most handy for a majority of our projects. We will not be doing any heavy duty modifications so clamping the vise down onto a bench top is not required making it easy to move around.

A 6 inch Hack Saw - Available in several makes and models.

Pick up extra blades - make sure they are for metal cutting though as I bought some from Canadian Tire what could barely cut wood.
The ones I use come from Home Hardware

Tapered Hand Reamer - Available as a single unit or just a separate bit which can be inserted into a "T" Handle.

This one is a one piece unit sized 3M to 13M - which will fit into a standard Meccano sized hole enabling you to bore it out to 1/2".

I used it bore out motor mounts (as shown) or Wheel Discs to use as a back-plate to enable flush mounting of a Bush Wheel to a plate (allows clearance to the boss peening).

Here we have two versions of Tap Holders - either works fine. On the right is a Die Holder. Note: These come in different sizes so make sure the one you get fits the die you have. For our purposes we will be using a B.S.W. 5/32" x 32 Die.

Taps and Dies are available from several UK Meccano Dealers.

I bought this Mini Tube Cutter to make Gun Barrels from 3/8" O.D. Brass Tubing for my Army models and to make sleeves to build up motor shafts.

This particular model is made by Benchmark and is adjustable from 1/8" to 7/8" ( 3mm to 22mm )

Really good for the Gun Barrels as it tapers the outer end slightly making for a snug fit to the Muzzle piece. Not so good for shaft sleeves though as it leaves an inside burr on the piece that would have to be filed out.