hon30critter CG: Do you (or anybody) know of any live steam forums? Maybe Garden Railways? The guys who build their own engines would certainly have some suggestions for drill presses. However, I doubt that they will be cheap unfortunately.
CG:
Do you (or anybody) know of any live steam forums? Maybe Garden Railways? The guys who build their own engines would certainly have some suggestions for drill presses. However, I doubt that they will be cheap unfortunately.
Good idea. I will take a look.
Thanks,
CG
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter Reviews for WEN drill presses on Amazon are quite good but several reviewers commented on a tiny bit of chuck wobble.
Reviews for WEN drill presses on Amazon are quite good but several reviewers commented on a tiny bit of chuck wobble.
I read those reviews too. It is also larger than I would like, since I already having a ten inch Ryobi.
I would like to find a smaller drill press with decent quality, but most of those available seem to be hit and miss at best. Anyone have a suggestion for a quality model maker's drill press at a reasonable price?
I don't know if anybody mentioned it here, but a good set of snippers, such as the Xuron flush cutter for cutting track. Also some other small snippers work well for small cutting jobs. Also a razor saw; I don't know if a "snap saw" is the same thing. And, a good, common every day utility knife comes in mighty handy too.
I bought a small WEN drill press on Amazon last year for about $70.00 with free shipping. I am very pleased with it.
Kevin:
Atlantic and Hibernia a small drill press would be really great to have
I'd love to have a drill press. There are so many things that it can do besides just drilling. However, I haven't been able to justify the expense. I agree with 'small' but that shouldn't be equated with cheap (I'm not implying that you were). My Dad was famous for buying cheap imported bargain priced tools, one of which was a 'drill press' that you strapped a regular hand drill into. Piece of junk! I would use stronger wording if I could!
The Dremel drill presses get poor reviews too.
Although not strictly on topic, I have reached the point where a small drill press would be really great to have
kevin
Well, with all the recommendations so far, better also get some storage racks (for the styrene sheet), storage bins (pull-out drawers for small parts), tool holder systems (clips, as a problem with using magnetic strips is...they can magnatize the tools), trays/racks for paint, small bins to hold bottles and tubes of glue/putty/polishing paste, and so on.Keep things neat and on hand, so 6 months down the road you won't have to buy a duplicate of a tool you know "is in there somewhere"...
Black styrene sheets are great for roofs and roads...roughening them up with sandpaper lightens the black color to a dark grey.
Thank you, all, for the incredible list! I'll be cross checking with what I have already and what I need or want to upgrade. Thankfully, a few years ago, I got a Dremel as a Christmas gift. Been using it around the new house every few weeks to initial items or some other odd jobs. Might be hitting up the discount bins for basic supplies and browsing Micro Mark for the others. Please feel free to add to the list!
Toothpicks, Q-tips, micro-brushes, and cosmetic foam "wedges," isopropyl alcohol (I have 90%, 70% and now Wal-Marts's 50% for different uses), India ink, old toothbrushes, small spray bottles (for india ink + alcohol sprays). Several kinds of clamps. Dental pics. Spray cans of DullCote. Fresh #11 blades in bulk.
There are many glues and cements and everyone seems to have their favorite. Just in the last year, as a result of a Miles Hale instructional DVD, I started to use Faller's Expert and Super-Expert plastic cements and man, am I ever a convert. I have the other popular brands too but I now regard the Faller as an "essential."
On something of a whim I purchased some black styrene sheets from JMD.
http://jmdplastics.yolasite.com/
They work no better or worse than white but some interesting uses have turned up so I am glad I have it in my arsenal. Essential? Perhaps no but having a good assortment of styrene sheet thicknesses, strip sizes, shapes, and common scratchbuilding surfaces such as corrugated, wood siding, etc. makes you ready to start modeling on a moment's notice.
In year's past I would have said, by all means be frugal, but never, never skimp on the quality of gin you keep in the house. My finger wagging doctor has instructed me otherwise so now I have good wine, in moderation, so each sip counts. (Sigh.)
Dave Nelson
Micromark Truck Tuner
Joe Staten Island West
In addition to the above, several DeWalt trigger clamps, a $5 full size plastic mitre box, and 2 Pony Clamps (all are Home Depot items), 1-2-3 blocks (Amazon $15 a pair), and when the budget permits, a Dremel tool (also Home Depot).
Glue: I like Plastruct Bondene solvent, and Loctite Gel Control super glue (WalMart $2.86)
Weathering: I see WalMart also has Pan Pastels $49 seven color set for $32. I also use a lot of black & brown India Ink. You don't say where you're living but I make a lot of use of Sally's Beauty Supply for spray bottles and cotton cosmetic swabs in lots of different shapes that are firmer than Q-Tips and don't shed. Sally's is all over the US & Canada
Painting: Some day an air brush, but for structures you can do a lot with rattle cans.
I'll second Paul's list and add a handy dandy tool a three or five prong gripper. For me my gripper is used far more then my scale ruler that hasn't been out of my tool box in four or five years.
http://www.micromark.com/gripster-holding-tool-set-of-3,12033.html
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I'll add
Lots of lighting
Optivisor
Emory boards
Tweezers - needle nose, bent nose
Sprue nippers
Tool holder
NMRA gauge
Graphite
Small hammer with changeable heads
scale ruler
small miter box
xacto knives and spare blades
sand paper
Enjoy
Paul
To me, blue painters tape (or yellow/green delicate surfaces equvialent) is the hobby equivalent of the handyman's "secret weapon", duct tape. Use it for masking, for holding small parts while painiting/finishing, securing material when cutting/sanding, labeling, and so on.
As I'm getting back into the hobby and looking at the supplies I had over ten years ago, it might be time for me to check if I have the essentials for kit building, weathering, and painting.
I have what I'd consider the basics; small set of screw drivers, small pliers, wire cutters, and files. Some chalks for weathering (hopefully these are in good condition).
What I'm looking for are the basics every modeler should have on, in, or next their workbench or in their toolbox. I plan to purchase a work mat, a foam support for working on locomotives and cars, and need some new glue.
What recommendations do you have for myself and other new modelers? What glue is best for putting freight kits and building kits together? What do you recommend for painting locomotives - tapes, paints, decals, etc...? What should I use to seal the chalks after weathering?
When cleaning out and focusing my collection, I sold off some of the entry level books that likely had some of this information. Thank you for your help!