What are some modeling tools that an effective Model Railroader should always have availible?
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
The tools I have in hand the most are miniature screw drives. Second would be an exacto knife. Then wire stripper and Soldering iron. A magnifying light would be up there as well
Springfield PA
Depends on what I'm doing. The most important tool is the one correct-for-the-task which, hopefully, I'm using.
Mark
For starters: a set of small precision screwdrivers, NMRA guage, coupler height guage, truck tuner, coupler pliers, digital scale, voltmeter, soldering iron, xacto knife, razor saw, dremel tool pin vise and assorted drills.
Xuron rail nippers and a small flat file for getting good ends on cut rail.
Needle nose pliers and tweezers for holding small stuff.
Wire clippers for cutting things other than rail. Wire stripper for, well, stripping wires.
Toothpicks for applying small amounts of glue.
Paper clips to unbend into a U and use to hold track down to foam while the glue sets.
Woodworking tools for benchwork, particularly a framing clamp for making corner joints.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Band-aids. Gary
When I take the modules out on the road I take along a small tool kit with several small needle nose pliers of differing bends, a screwdriver assortment, Exacto knife with extra blades, and a rail nipper. For added insurance I take along a bottle of ACC. These basic tools will keep the trains going for the shows.
My home workshop has accumulated tools over a forty year time span and is way too numerous to list here. I probably have fifteen different Exacto knives. They each have a different blade for different jobs plus custom shaped blades. I have more files than a hardware store stocks. To think, I started with a couple screwdrivers and a very early Exacto knife decades ago. And I still buy tools.
Pete
PS Almost forgot the most important tool of all. A good comfortable pair of SAFETY GLASSES.
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Staples?
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
Very well stated. A hobbyist or handyman is ALWAYS buying or replacing tools. AKA "Tool-man Taylor" ha ha
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
My Train Page My Photobucket Page My YouTube Channel
Money is a tool. it works for me, only I don't have enough.
Johnboy out..............................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I'm rather surprised that no one mentioned soldering tools...
For me, tin snips are essential - but not everybody uses steel studs for almost everything.
How about a serious power drill? Mine gets used for everything from basic benchwork assembly to drilling holes in the right-of-way for rail power drops.
Lots more, but I have a couple of toolboxes full of special-purpose widgets.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Eyedroppers.
Syringes.
Pipettes.
I had mentioned soldering iron.
I actually have 3 that I use. A standard 15/30 watt electric, A propane one, and a Solder gun for buss wiring.
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
The three most important tools every model railroader needs are a Hot Glue Gun, An American Express Platinum card and the Micromark catalog
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
A cap with leds in the brim.
This is really helpfull working under the layout.
You can put light right were you need it, hands free.
Happy Railroading
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
Old business cards. Use them for masking, window shades, shims, a place to hold a dollop of glue or paint, the list goes on.
Round toothpicks. You'd be amazed at the number of uses for these. I even have a few Yellow Box locomotives with the couplers held in place by a toothpick jammed through the coupler box into the shell.
I good strong work light.
Reading glasses (well, for me at least...)
Masking tape. Use it for paint masking, holding small pieces, roll roofing. Just good stuff to have around.
Those diecast vehicles from Life Like and Malibu and others? The lids for the cases those come in make excellent small part holders.
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
Here's some from my list:
I'm sure there a few others I would add to the list but that's all I can think of at the moment. Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
BEER! And lots of it to hold down that freshly caulked track and roadbed. Beer also works well for attracting people who are good at under bench soldering.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN BEER! And lots of it to hold down that freshly caulked track and roadbed. Beer also works well for attracting people who are good at under bench soldering.
But, do you trust their work?
I find the beer most appropriate for AFTER I'm done.
Back OT, items I don't remember seeing the following listed above: