Your workbench and tools

[CP5415]

True, Sears doesn't have Canadian Tire money, but they do have Sears Points & the wife is planning on using them to get her new stove this fall.
Good points for both retailers. [:)]

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I have pretty much the same tools as you all. One item I have which I must say I make the most use of are spring clothes pins. I have these in the as supplied configuration and also modifide, by pulling apart, reversing both wood parts and inserting back through the spring from the other direction. What this gives, is a very cheap clamp with a longer grasp than a normal clothes pin. These things are extreamly handy for every job in the hobby! I can't take credit for the modification, I think I read about doing this from R/C Modeler Magazine, back when I used to "build and fly R/C model airplanes. Ihave 20-30 of these clamps, in both configs.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

I prefer Craftsman myself Fergus. They have all that as well here in Canada
Sears, for all your tool needs!!!! [;)]

Gordon

As far as I can tell many of these tools are made by the same manufacturer. My big tools such as Mitre saw, Table saw etc are craftsman But Sears doesn't have Canadian Tire Money!!!

Oh and if it's not on your list yet
Small clamps of every size
Multi Meter
Safety Glasses
Particle masks
Fire extinguisher
Latex or Nitrile gloves
Soldering irons
Bifocals or other magnifying device
portable vice
Good lighting
Small vac

And what ever you do never ever leave oilsoaked rags in a pile. They can and have spontaneously cumbust. Linseed oil is extremely bad for this.

[Budliner]

duct tape

[dave9999]

Let's see,

Power tools:
Drill
dremell
soldering iron
hot glue gun
foam cutter
jig saw
cicular saw

Hand tools:
Hobby knife w/ blades
rail nips
wire strippers
trip pin pliers
scissors
dial calipers
micrometers
screwdrivers
mini screw drivers
tweezers
paint brushes
files
Probably more, but I'm not in the train room right now. Dave

[Anonymous]

I have 3 workbenches. One in my woodshop for large projects. One is a small hide-a-away roll-out shelf under the layout. The third one is the kitchen table.

In the woodshop I have all the standard sized hand tools I've gathered over the years plus drill press, bandsaw, tablesaw, router, jigsaw, grinder, paint booth and power hand tools. I also have a flammables storage cabinet (vented to outside) in this area. I built the hide-a-way workbench on the layout using 100# capacity drawer slides with a 22"x46"x3/4" piece of oak plywood on a 2"x2" frame. On this bench I have tools for building and upkeep of the track and layout. The kitchen table is where I do my model building. I have made 3 portable trays, one for parts, one for hand tools and one for my Dremel and accessories. I have a 18"x36"x1/2" work surface I made of hardwood (pieces glued together like a cutting board so it won't warp) and covered with a piece of 1/4" plate glass. The kitchen table "workbench" is completely portable so it can be put away when company comes. I have a 4-drawer chest-of-drawers in the bedroom for storage of non-flamable modeling materials.

In the realm of model building I think the most used power tool is the Dremel tool and the most used hand tool is, well, a toss-up between the X-acto knives, dental picks and reverse tweezers (pinch to open, release to close). The one workbench "item" I use most is the 7" dia. 5x lighted magnifier which can be clamped to any of the workbenchs as well as the drill press.

The most "unique" tool I use is popcicle sticks. I shape them as needed to make "finger extenders" and sanding blocks for getting into those imposible-to-get-to places. Another good sanding tool for rough sanding is emery boards, they too can be shaped as needed.

[Anonymous]

For my model work, I use a "5 dollar garage sale" wooden desk, that I beefed up, and modified to have swivel casters under one end, and rubber feet under the other. The top is about 48" x 18", covered with some cherry planks I got for free, and sanded them down, biscuit jointed them together. The drawers are really handy. Under the desk I put a "deck" to hold my machinist toolbox...there's still some room for my feet....mainly because my midsection keeps me back a bit.[:0]
I have the usual assortment of modellers hand tools accumulated over 50 years or so...tip...don't ever buy "no-name" blades for your knife holders.[xx(]

In addition to those listed above, I recommend adjustable work light & adjustable magnifying light, a small weigh scale, swivelling vise, lots & lots of clamps, surface gauge, vernier calipers, small sheet of plate glass.[:p]

Power tools...many are great for model work, as stated above.
Canadian Tire & Craftsman ( and Rigid ) are all tools made by other tool companies, ( like Ryobi & others ) as house brands...they are all pretty good, mainly because hobby work is not heavy-duty in nature, and because they have good warranties.[8D][:)]
regards,
Mike

[IRONROOSTER]

I use a roll top desk for a workbench with a 2x2 piece of birch plywood to protect the top. I have the usual assortment of Dremel, tweezers, pliers, etc. The odd tool that most folks don't have or at least don't mention is a small anvil. I don't use it often but it is handy when I need it.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

The most important tool on my workbench is my cuss jar. When ever I'm working on something and I swear I put a 25 cents in the jar. Believe it or not I had enough in the jar after only about four months to buy a Kato SD70MAC. It might actually be the most used tool on my workbench besides my trusty mini phillips and flat head screwdriver I've had for years.

Thanks,
Jeremy
aka potty mouth[:D]

[Hawks05]

just have some screwdrivers my grandpa gave me. best thing i have so far. really helpful. they are like .3 mm or something. also have different tweezers, pliers, dental tools, exacto knives, toothpicks, and some other little things. not a lot but i have what i need. i want to pick up a little drill and one of those coupler benders.

my workbench doubles as my desk. i have my tool box on one side and a light on the other. its kind of crowded but it works.

[CP5415]

I prefer Craftsman myself Fergus. They have all that as well here in Canada
Sears, for all your tool needs!!!! [;)]

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Canadian Tire has been selling a "Rotor" tool fro $99 Cdn and what you get in it is phenomenal! a large roto tool which you hang c/w 2 speeds, full set of bits, grinders, buffers, cut off wheels, etc, ZIp handle for ripping light plywood or Drywall, router handle, and an extension flex shaft with a LED at the end where the chuck is. Can't be beat!!!

[CP5415]

Dremel, one corded drill, one cordless drill, hobby screwdrivers, soldering gun, power pack, 1 case full of drill screwdriver bits & drill bits, various styles & sizes of plyers & tweezers & the list goes on ......

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I decided against a Dremel on price, I have a warrior which I think must be nearly as good and aquarte the price. However the accessories are rubbish so I have bought some Dremel accessories to replace the old stuffed ones and they are just great. This is a very useful tool indeed.

Ian; Kawana Island Tropical Railway.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Mine is a total disaster (I didn't use the "M" word Fergie[;)]) its so bad that I don't even use it, especially in the winter since it is in the garage. I have a hard time keeping it picked up because I have so much stuff. If I can find a clean piece of benchwork, that's great , if not I build more. Those tweezers sound great, I have a splinter that I'm having trouble with.[swg]

[Anonymous]

forceps are a must along with the following

dremel c/w full set of attachments
jeweller's screwdrivers
cleaning brushes
files of every size and shape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
X-acto blades of every shape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drill bits (1/100 and larger)
small jeweller's hammer
etc, etc, etc.......

[pbjwilson]

I've been buying tools and stocking my workbench lately. My favorite purchase is a bent nose tweezer with a very fine point. Also picked up a pair of pliers with a sprung handle- very nice. So whats your workbench like? Any interesting or unique tools. My dentist actuallyy gave me some old dentil picks which are great! I had to promise not to use them on my teeth!

Paul the painter