Preventing damage to finished models

[Blind Bruce]

What are some good ways to not damage delicate pieces while working on them? I refer specifically to installing new couplers on a nicely detailed steam loco.
I have some soft foam that I use for flat sided items like boxcars, but the loco is tippy when laying on its back.
Thanks from Bruce in the Peg

[Anonymous]

You can buy a shaped foam cradle to hold rolling stock when working on it. I have one, it has a depression in the middle so the model can sit partially on its side to be worked on. The foam is black and soft, great for protecting models. Try checking out Walthers or Micro-Mark.

Bob Boudreau

[Medina1128]

I made some using the black foam that used to come in Athearn locomotive boxes. I don't know if they still do, since I haven't bought an Athean in about 16 years. Or you can buy sheets of foam rubber from Wal-Mart or crafts stores and cut them out and glue into a box or to a 1/2 thick piece of wood. You want the base to be steady. You'd really hate for the whole thing to roll onto the floor!!

[dharmon]

I have a couple of cradles I made from some 3 x 4 inch or so thick foam pieces. I used an electric carving knife to notch a V in them. Use them all the time.

[nobullchitbids]

I successfully have mounted my locomotives in a small, portable vise (called a "vacuum vise"). Slip a paper napkin into the vise first to prevent the jaws from scratching the model. If the model is plastic, be careful about tamping down the screw, and if brass, tamp the screw down firmly enough that the model will not shift while under any downward pressure.