Special Tools

Grandpa Lee's Miniatures

Special Tools It usually becomes a lifelong hobby once you get into miniatures, but even if you choose to make only one for some special child, it pays to make a modest investment in a few special but basic tools that will make the whole process a lot easier. Some may already be in your kitchen drawer and will do just fine, but there are a few jobs that can be devilishly hard to do without some simple little gadget to help make it easier.

Make Your Own Feel free to make your own version of some of the specialized tools we offer in the following display, but one way or the other you will have to do just about all of the tasks described. As time goes by we hope to introduce several other tools for your convenience as they prove themselves in actual use. Please e-m me from our feedback page if you would like more specific information on any of these items, and be sure to check this page every so often for new products.

Universal Gauge Made of 1/4" high impact resistant clear plastic with nylon locking thumb screws, this gadget serves as an angle finder (shown), straight edge, gluing brace, and most important, as an interior/exterior gauge for getting accurate measurements where it's impossible or difficult to place a larger conventional scale. Once the thumb screws are lightly locked simply transfer the setting to or from a scale if a dimension is required or directly to or from a work piece such as trim molding, wallpaper etc.
$9.95 ea. wt. 4 oz. ea.

Gluing Angles A set of these greatly eases getting the initial shell together which would otherwise remain quite "wobbly" and prone to slip until surfaces in at least three planes are finally together. Made of heavy duty 90 degree angle iron, 2x3x1/4" thick and 1" wide, they assure that outer walls and floors, once clamped to these strong steel angles, will be held square and in position for nailing and/or while the glue dries.
$9.95 Set of 4 wt. 1lb./set (clamps not included)

Standard Outlet Marker I sympathize with those of you who have struggled to get the right spacing for the insertion of large grommets to accommodate the most common type of light and appliance plug. This handy tool takes all the guess work out of this ugly job. After papering, check for current with your test light and then simply press this tool squarely and firmly into the desired spot through the tape, which can be felt under the paper or mapped beforehand, making sure that one prong pierces only blue and the other only copper. Caution- Be sure transformer is not plugged in or you will create a short circuit. This is not too dangerous but you may see tiny sparks, and the transformer will begin to warm up if the tool is not quickly removed. If the circuit is fused, the fuse will blow. Once marked drill squarely into these marks for perfect grommet placement.
$9.95 ea. wt. 4oz. ea.

Mini Drill Kit This versatile kit, including the short handle and chuck assembly for tight places, the large grommet pilot drill with depth stop to avoid piercing the outer walls, and the grommet press guide is all you need to accurately drill for and insert large grommets. This chuck will also accommodate a wide range of drill bit sizes up to 1/4" for other close quarter drilling tasks.
$19.95 Per Kit wt. 8oz./kit

Loop Twister I have found that the best transition from the electrical tape used on the interior of the house to round transformer wires is easily done by capturing "perfect" wire loops formed with this stainless steel tapered twister. These formed loops can then be easily captured under the grommet flange which is in turn pressed firmly into the main electrical tape extending down through the bottom floor in our preferred method of wiring. This process is discussed in greater detail in our "How To- electrify" page.
$4.95 ea. wt. 2 oz. ea.

Perfect Brick nipper Want to make a perfect interlocked brick corner when trimming the bottom of your house? Of course you do and what better way than to use the precision ground perfect brick nipper. Slightly more than one brick in width, it never interferes with adjacent rows of brick and you always get a clean, square cut for that professional bricklayer look without any waste or rework.
$12.95 ea. wt. 4oz ea.

Paint Kit Who hasn't had the obnoxious job of having to paint a zillion small parts one side at a time; all the while trying to avoid a mess and hoping these little parts don't glue themselves to the table while drying? Well fret no more. With this high strength plastic, slotted paint rack you need only clamp it to the table lip, press a "T" pin (one for each slot provided) into each little doodad, hold it for easy painting or dipping, and then just hang it in a slot for trouble free drying over a spread out newspaper-just in case of a final drip or two.

$19.95 per set wt. 4 oz. ea. (clamp not included)

All products are unconditionally guaranteed to arrive in perfect condition and to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. Items may vary slightly from photographs and please allow three weeks for delivery via Priority mail. Also include your e-m address so we can advise you of foreign shipping charges if necessary, notification should there be any shipping delays, or the need for further clarification.

Please add shipping charges for domestic orders per the following schedule: 2 lbs or less $6.95, 2-5lbs $14.95, 5-10lbs. $19.95. Please send a check or money order to;

Lee A. Stensaker, 9923 Westland Drive Knoxville, TN 37922-5119

We look forward to receiving your order.

e-mail grandpalee@charter.net Grandpa Lee

	Universal Gauge Made of 1/4" high impact resistant clear plastic with nylon locking thumb screws, this gadget serves as an angle finder (shown), straight edge, gluing brace, and most important, as an interior/exterior gauge for getting accurate measurements where it's impossible or difficult to place a larger conventional scale. Once the thumb screws are lightly locked simply transfer the setting to or from a scale if a dimension is required or directly to or from a work piece such as trim molding, wallpaper etc. $9.95 ea. wt. 4 oz. ea.
	Gluing Angles A set of these greatly eases getting the initial shell together which would otherwise remain quite "wobbly" and prone to slip until surfaces in at least three planes are finally together. Made of heavy duty 90 degree angle iron, 2x3x1/4" thick and 1" wide, they assure that outer walls and floors, once clamped to these strong steel angles, will be held square and in position for nailing and/or while the glue dries. $9.95 Set of 4 wt. 1lb./set (clamps not included)
	Standard Outlet Marker I sympathize with those of you who have struggled to get the right spacing for the insertion of large grommets to accommodate the most common type of light and appliance plug. This handy tool takes all the guess work out of this ugly job. After papering, check for current with your test light and then simply press this tool squarely and firmly into the desired spot through the tape, which can be felt under the paper or mapped beforehand, making sure that one prong pierces only blue and the other only copper. Caution- Be sure transformer is not plugged in or you will create a short circuit. This is not too dangerous but you may see tiny sparks, and the transformer will begin to warm up if the tool is not quickly removed. If the circuit is fused, the fuse will blow. Once marked drill squarely into these marks for perfect grommet placement. $9.95 ea. wt. 4oz. ea.
	Mini Drill Kit This versatile kit, including the short handle and chuck assembly for tight places, the large grommet pilot drill with depth stop to avoid piercing the outer walls, and the grommet press guide is all you need to accurately drill for and insert large grommets. This chuck will also accommodate a wide range of drill bit sizes up to 1/4" for other close quarter drilling tasks. $19.95 Per Kit wt. 8oz./kit
	Loop Twister I have found that the best transition from the electrical tape used on the interior of the house to round transformer wires is easily done by capturing "perfect" wire loops formed with this stainless steel tapered twister. These formed loops can then be easily captured under the grommet flange which is in turn pressed firmly into the main electrical tape extending down through the bottom floor in our preferred method of wiring. This process is discussed in greater detail in our "How To- electrify" page. $4.95 ea. wt. 2 oz. ea.
	Perfect Brick nipper Want to make a perfect interlocked brick corner when trimming the bottom of your house? Of course you do and what better way than to use the precision ground perfect brick nipper. Slightly more than one brick in width, it never interferes with adjacent rows of brick and you always get a clean, square cut for that professional bricklayer look without any waste or rework. $12.95 ea. wt. 4oz ea.
	Paint Kit Who hasn't had the obnoxious job of having to paint a zillion small parts one side at a time; all the while trying to avoid a mess and hoping these little parts don't glue themselves to the table while drying? Well fret no more. With this high strength plastic, slotted paint rack you need only clamp it to the table lip, press a "T" pin (one for each slot provided) into each little doodad, hold it for easy painting or dipping, and then just hang it in a slot for trouble free drying over a spread out newspaper-just in case of a final drip or two. $19.95 per set wt. 4 oz. ea. (clamp not included)