Tools of the Trade

[dacoda77]

I am new to this and I have seen so many tools and gadgets... all if which I want because they seem to make things look easy.  But I have seen so many things that it is becoming a bit of an overload to the system.  I was wondering if anyone had advice on what a beginner needs to get started and things that I could aquire over time as I start to build my layout.  I am wanting to build a tool and gadget list so I can start getting what I need.  Thanks.

[Hamltnblue]

This is a pretty common theme that comes up quite often.  Maybe there should be a pinned up one.

For starters:

Small screw driver set

Rail nippers

Soldering Iron

Wire Strippers

Hot glue gun

Different sized needle nose pliers

Magnifying light.

Insulated clamp to hold trains while working.

Air brush

Multimeter

[galaxy]

Just buy one of everything you see and you will be fine!

Pin vise and tiny drill bits

Sprue nippers

needle files

drop pin pliers

Tweezers of different sizes

Xacto knife with variety of blades

sanding board {AKA as Nail filing boards}

 razor knife and metal miter box

http://www.micromark.com/   has much of what you need for model railroading, peruse and see what you find, and any tool you need, well, you know it when you need it. Remember: small and handy is the key.

[TerryJ]

You didn't mention what scale, but I wouldn't do N scale without an Opti-visor, it's also handy for HO.

Micromark is your friend, plus it's a great catalog just to peruse.

You should always buy the best tools you can afford. That being said, except for the rail nippers, air brush, and Opti-visor, you can probably get by with less than top-of the-line tools until funds allow.

[BRAKIE]

A simple tool box will suffice.

Here's what I use.

Dremel tool-a handy around tool.

NMRA Gauge.

Screw Drivers-from jeweler size to about 4 inches.

Files: Jeweler and 3 flat files.

Pliers-needle nose and regular.

Small plastic fly boxes for couplers,springs,extra wheels,trucks,screws etc.

Small vice grips.

pin vices.

side cut piles(dikes)

KD trip pin pliers/coupler height gauge.

Rail nippers

Sprue cutter

X acto saw

X Acto knife with different blades.

 3 prong holder-excellent for holding small parts and starting small screws.

I find these tools will handle any modeling work.

 

[dacoda77]

I am working with N Scale.  Well I am trying to put together a list so that I can have something for me to go from so I can get all the tools I need.

[BRAKIE]

dacoda77

I am working with N Scale.  Well I am trying to put together a list so that I can have something for me to go from so I can get all the tools I need.

 

Those tools in my reply handles  N Scale and HO modeling and track work...

I model both scales-N at home and  HO at the club.

I also belong to a  N Scale club.

[cowman]

Things I would add to the above list is a good set of hobby knives, caulking gun and some cheap latex caulk (not a tool, but they go together).  If you are going to be building structure kits or scratch build, I would suggest some sort of gluing jig either corner clamps or Micro-Mark has a metal tray 60394, (go to your local hardware store and get some small less powerful magnets, theirs are great, but I find them too strong, thus hard to move, for fine work).  A scale rule is often helpful.  A set of needle fines and or reamers as holes in kits aren't always the right size.  A coupler height gauge will reduce coupling problems and a truck tuner (Micro-Mark 82838) will make your rolling stock roll more freely.  A pin vise and set of small drills.  If you are scratch building, a small miter box and saw.

The rail nippers listed are great if you are using flex track.  Not a necessary if you are using sectional.  I've lived without a hot glue gun, but if you are doing cardboard lattice type shell, I understand they are very helpful, can be used for other things too. 

Some tools you can get away with el-cheapo, other things a good quality tool is far superior.  You just have to kind of look at and decide.  If it is something that will be used a lot, lean toward quality, though that is not the only determining factor.

What tools are really helpful is sort of a "what you are doing" thing.  As you do new things, think about the articles and forums written on how others have done it.  Do they mention a tool that sounds like it would help.  Is it worth the price for the difference it will make in time required to do the job the way you are doing it.

There are many handy tools, most of which can be done without, but they sure make life a lot easier.  Just slowly add to your collection as you go along and are expanding your horizons of what you are doing on the layout.

Have fun,

[dstarr]

Ah yes, the urge to have a fine tool collection runs strongly in all of us.  The trick is to collect tools that we actually need, as opposed to beautifully made tools that fill the tool box but are seldom used. 

   For myself, I wait til I start a project and buy what tools that project needs.  This insures that the tool will get used at least once.  Tools have legs, and will walk right off the job.  A real toolbox serves as a corral for wayward tools and keeps them around for the next project.

    Model rail roading comes in a variety of flavors, track laying, bench work, wiring,  scenery, kit construction, scratch building, DCC installation, and others.  The tools needed for each flavor are different. 

For trackwork the essentials are

NMRA gauge. needle nose pliers. small file, single cut "mill" file is good.

For bench work the essentials are:

Steel tape, combination square, carpenters square, screw drivers, a saw, hammer,  1/4 inch electric drill and some bits.   Screwdrivers can be traditional or electric.  Saw can be hand or electric, a saber saw or a skillsaw can make some jobs much easier. 

For wiring.

Wire stripper. soldering iron or gun. needle nose and linesman pliers.  Multimeter. 

For kit construction

Xacto knife. small files.  set of jewelers screwdrivers.  paint and brushes.  Pin vise and set of bits size 60-80.  tweezers. 

For scratch building. 

Scale ruler, architects scale, dividers, plus the kit construction tools.

 

 

[IRONROOSTER]

Lot of good ideas above.  Let me add:

Safety glasses. Even if you're using hand tools, things can fly unexpectedly.

Light, lots of good light.

Sturdy table, desk, bench, etc. to work on.

A comfortable chair.

Tackle box, one with lots of trays, to hold all the tools.

Enjoy

Paul

[AltonFan]

You definitely want to get the Micro-Trains N Scale Coupler Starter Kit.  The tools and the coupler height gauge are very useful when converting couplers and making repairs.

Make sure you keep up with coupler conversions as you acquire new rolling stock.

[HHPATH56]

Hamltonblue's list is a great starter. Let me expand on each item on his list, as to my experience. The "small screw driver set' comes in a plastic holder, as is essential for any addition or repair of parts that are screwed together. I use the "rail nippers" all the time. One should not use them to cut stainless steel wire. To "nip" HO track, you cut with the flat side of the blades from "top to bottom" of the rail. Whereas, for cutting "N" gauge rails, you cut with the blades on the sides. Be sure to get a "soldering iron" with a small round tip, of sufficient amperage. Battery operated soldering irons, are not hot enough. I use a pistol grip soldering iron for attaching feeder wires to rails, and use Suitcase connectors to attach the other end of feeder wires, to the larger "bus wires". "wire strippers" are essential, if you are not using "suitcase connectors" My next purchase, will be a "Hot Glue Gun" They make a lot of gluing jobs, quicker and more efficient. Different size (and off set),"Needle Nosed Pliers" are essential, for all sorts of holding and placing of tiny parts. I have a flexible "Magnifying Light", on a metal stand. that one uses for intricate bench work, and on the layout. If you plan to modify locos, rolling stock, or structures.there are various types of clamps available. One good source is Micro-Mark I have never used an airbrush, but many modelers wouldn't be without one. They are mentioned in many Forums and MR articles. For lengthy trackage and reverse loops, a "Multimeter" is a good future purchase. A fine toothed file and small Exacto-knife are also handy tools to have. Many of these tools, you probable already have. Bob Hahn

[SidecarJoeG]

Being a hobbyist auto mechanic, wood worker, musician, recording engineer, and model railroader, you can imagine how many tools I've accumulated over the years.  Needless to say you can never have enough knives, needle nosed pliers, and soldering equipment.  As for jigs, well I prefer to make my own out of scrap wood that I have laying around.  Of course, having some of the wood working equipment crosses over into model railroading.

[tstage]

My must-have starter tool kit would contain the following:

• Magnification visor* - I'm in HO and I use these for practically everything
• Good task light
• Sturdy workbench - I picked up a nice 5' collapsible version at Costco
• (3) Tweezers: Needle-nose, Flat-nose, and Locking
• Flush-cutting wire nippers - I use these for removing parts from sprues
• Set of mini-screwdrivers: Philips & Standard
• X-acto knife handle
• X-acto knife blades: #11 (pointed) & #17 (chisel)
• Cutting mat
• Rail nippers (Xuron) - Do NOT use them for cutting anything else other than rail!
• Files - Lg flat and small flat
• Soldering iron - I prefer the stations with solder "pencils" rather than guns.  Weller is a very good brand.

*#1 most used tool in my arsenal!

This is not an exhaustive list but what I would consider essential for starting out.  Hope that helps...

Tom

[dacoda77]

I have to say I am really enjoying this thread.  I am definately getting a list of items that I am going to get.  If there is anything else that I may find handy please feel free to let me know.   

[dacoda77]

I have compiled everyone's suggestions into one list.  If anyone would like to continue to add to it that would be great.

List of Tools

Magnification visor

Task light

Sturdy workbench

(3) tweezers:  needle nose, flat nose, and locking

Flush-cutting wire nippers

Mini-screwdrivers

X-acto handle

X-acto blades: #11 (pointed) & #17 (chisel)

Cutting mat

Rail nippers (Xuron)

Large flat file

Small flat file

Soldering iron

Hot glue gun

Needle nose pliers

Wire strippers

Multimeter

Micro-Trains N Scale coupler starter kit

Safety glasses

NMRA Gauge

Steel tape

Combination square

Saw (manual/electric)

Hammer

Electric drill

Linesman pliers

Paint brushes

Paint

Pin vise

Scale ruler

Architects scale

Hobby knives

Caulking gun

Micro-Mark metal tray 60394

Magnets

Dremel tool

Small vise grips

Side cuts (dikes)

Sprue Cutter

X-acto saw

Opti-visor

Sanding board

Metal miter box

Air brush