Hobby Store & Tools

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I posted a note a month ago regarding opening a hobby store and what things people want to see. I want to say thanks again for everyone's input and comments they have been very helpful. My wife and I are continuing the development of the business plan and planning, including looking for space and trying to figure out initial inventory size.

One of the areas that we want to make sure is that the store carries a good line of tools for the model railroader of all skill levels.

We are interested in the tools people use or would recommend in having in a well stocked model railroader tool box from the basic types through advanced and very specialty (i.e. kadee coupler pliers).

Thanks again in advance for any replies,
Mike & Celia

[JDCoop]

For starters, I would stock some of the following:

1. Sprue Nippers
2. Pin Vise
3. Drill Bits (for use in Pin Vise)
4. Good Selection of Paint Brushes
5. Sanding Sticks
6. Kadee Coupler Pliers
7. Various Types of Tweezers
8. Files
9. Razor Saws
10. X-acto Knives & Blades

This is no means a complete, list, but some of the items that I thought of off the top of my head. I'm sure others will have more good suggestions.

Jeff

[cwclark]

all the above plus a good supply of bright boy track cleaning blocks, styrene plastic, spring wire, CA glue, brass, balsa wood, electronic devices (ie..train detector circuits, crossing flasher circuits ect...) plastruct scale building material, and everything in the Walther's catalog....Chuck[:D]

[egmurphy]

xacto knives and blade refills
razor saws
tweezers
pin vises
drill bits
scale rulers
needle files
rail cutters
pliers (assorted)
small soldering irons (and small diameter solder)
optivisors
sprue cutters


I'm sure you'll get more suggestions.

Good luck with the shop.

Ed

[Jetrock]

Tools are definitely important--all of the above are good ideas, in addition to specialty, model-railroad oriented tools, like NWSL's line (the Chopper, Quarterer, Puller, Riveter, etcetera.) I tend to be hesitant about ordering tools online or mailorder and generally prefer to buy them at stores--it's nice to be able to see the tool and get a better idea of its weight and heft and general solidity before buying. A lot of tools that look nice and rugged in a catalog don't hold up in person--or if it is something relatively lightweight I'd rather know before purchasing.

Oh yeah, in addition to the above lists, one word: DREMEL!

[Anonymous]

miniature drill bits, the xacto line (esp replacement blades), dremel bits, various sized pliers, jeweler's files, rail cutters and scale rulers.

[Bikerdad]

Scale rulers.
Taps and tap wrench appropriate for modelling.

Clamps

[Anonymous]

Look into the Maxon line. Good stuff!
Small machinist's squares are especially good.
And the Kadee line of tools--their driver cleaner, for example, is one very cool item.
You really need to carry gauges--the various Kadee coupler height gauges and the NMRA gauges are critical.

[willy6]

And a good "bright work light"

[PennsyHoosier]

Great suggestions so far. Along with the rulers, I would add templates for track planning.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments. They are helpful as usual.

Mike & Celia

[Anonymous]

Gotta have a Dremel!! Better have a couple of Walther's catalogs on hand too. Everyone needs one in store just for customer reference.

Good Luck,
Greg

[Virginian]

Sets of the small socket screwdrivers in inch and metric sizes. Invaluable for doing any driving rod or siderod work. If you can find a source that would let you carry the screwdriver handles and bits separately, that would be great.