riogrande5761 The most important model railroading tool is money. You need lots of it so you can afford a house with a nice good sized room or basement to build a nice layout. Second most important tool us stability...
The most important model railroading tool is money. You need lots of it so you can afford a house with a nice good sized room or basement to build a nice layout.
Second most important tool us stability...
Ah, but there's one above even those, cuz without it, their use can be choked out: ---Just gotta brag a little--- A WIFE like mine!
(see my last post in "Wish List") Dan
doctorwayne kasskaboose My favorite is the one between the ears. I misplaced that one years ago, and still can't find it. Wayne
kasskaboose My favorite is the one between the ears.
My favorite is the one between the ears.
Wayne, I thought I saw some kids playing dodgeball with it...The folds lend to a better grip.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Late to the party, but:
An aluminum surface plate (10" x 12.5" x .5") with track-gage slots cut in one side.
Ed (other)
Pretty much everything you see here, and then some...
IMG_2704 by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_7287_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
One thing I use nearly every day that I haven't seen mentioned is that 5 amp-30 Volt DC power supply with meters (hiding behind the Miller can). Testing and running locomotives before decoder installs or running in locos, another handy tool are a set of driving wheel stationary rollers (the Bachmann ones are actually quite good quality). Also good for testing LED circuits.
https://tinyurl.com/y9apko5e
Speaking of electrical, a decade resistor box is a pretty handy gadget, too.
https://tinyurl.com/y7s4rbge
Plus a good multimeter.
JMRI, ESU decoder tester and Lokprogrammer and a Sprogg II test track are also handy if you have a decent-sized DCC roster.
There's tons more good stuff. I'll think of it later
Thank You, Ed
Second most important tool us stability. You need to be stable in the same place for enough time to build and enjoy a layout. Moving a lot tends to get in the way of the hobby. What good is having a chest of nice hobby tools if you don't have space and stability?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My collection of 35mm color slides not only provides the inspiration for the projects that employ the rest of my tools, they also provide a time machine back to 1978-1986, when they were shot. They ARE my most important tools.
SouthgateThis Athearn Hustler for example has a frame milled out to make space for the custom made flywheels, and axle bearings were turned for it also. The plastic axle and gear were mated as well on the lathe from delrin rod and Atlas gears. A very smooth slow ride for a Hustler.
.
That is an amazing execution of an upgraded Hustler! Great job.
I had a different solution for mine, but yours is much better.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
maxmanDremel Man, Dremel Man Dremels everything that he can. Dremel Man, Dremel Man Holds a Dremel in each hand. Watch out! He's the Dremel Man. (you have to hum this to the Spider Man theme song.)
I thought it went pretty well to the Black Sabbath song " Psycho Man"
Rust...... It's a good thing !
maxmanDremel Man, Dremel Man Dremels everything that he can. Dremel Man, Dremel Man Holds a Dremel in each hand. Watch out! He's the Dremel Man.
I was trying to sing it to the tune of "Partical Man" by They Might Be Giants until I saw your explanation on the last line.
Now it makes more sense.
All the above, at any given time. But biting the bullet and getting a well accessorized Sherline 4400 lathe and 2000 vertical mill and a rotary table (primarily for a long anticipated"dream" project in a larger scale) sure opened up a world of possibilities on the HO layout.
I've used the mill to modify metal locomotive frames, remove bulky details from cast metal models, make precision duplicate parts in brass and styrene, and many more uses.
The lathe has been great to make flywheels for many locomotives, some are very specifically made to fit and fill just the space available. It's also used to drill out and modify nickel plated wheelsets to fit other than their original application. And make bearings and other parts.
This Athearn Hustler for example has a frame milled out to make space for the custom made flywheels, and axle bearings were turned for it also. The plastic axle and gear were mated as well on the lathe from delrin rod and Atlas gears. A very smooth slow ride for a Hustler.
Sagami Can I sold an old truck to get some of the Sherline stuff, and it's definitely high on the favorite tools list. Then bought the truck back later! I would like to add that a small harbor freight drill press gets a great deal of use as well, and they cost less than the average new HO locomotive these days. It's well within reach of most hobby budgets. Dan
Sagami Can
I sold an old truck to get some of the Sherline stuff, and it's definitely high on the favorite tools list. Then bought the truck back later! I would like to add that a small harbor freight drill press gets a great deal of use as well, and they cost less than the average new HO locomotive these days. It's well within reach of most hobby budgets. Dan
I sold an old truck to get some of the Sherline stuff, and it's definitely high on the favorite tools list. Then bought the truck back later!
I would like to add that a small harbor freight drill press gets a great deal of use as well, and they cost less than the average new HO locomotive these days. It's well within reach of most hobby budgets. Dan
Believe it or not, outside of my Dremel, the good 'ol utility knife. I use it much more than my X-Acto knife because it is more durable and I don't have to change blades in it near as often.
A basin to contain the small parts that I tend to drop. Also for small parts a good set of micro screwdrivers is invaluable.
I put my locomotive cradle inside the basin and use the screwdrivers to change couplers and such.
Joe Staten Island West
Exacto, chopper2 and razor saw. I also think my fingers are pretty good tools too, eyes and nearsightedness not so much. Generally I use my optivisor in conjunction with these tools ... therefor my optivisor maybe my favorite tool.
Dremel Man, Dremel Man
Dremels everything that he can.
Holds a Dremel in each hand.
Watch out!
He's the Dremel Man.
(you have to hum this to the Spider Man theme song.)
Well......
There's no point in having any tool's , if you dont have a workbench !!!
Other than that, I couldn't live without my Pin-vice's or drill bit's.
Heartland Division CB&Q I had a blade break off of an Xuron rail cutter, and it flew like a bullet to the other end of the room.
I had a blade break off of an Xuron rail cutter, and it flew like a bullet to the other end of the room.
Me too. They don't seem to include that sort of stuff in their ads.
Favorite? You're talking about my children here.
No one has mentioned razor saw, helping hands, micro brushes, Chopper II
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Eye protection should be on everybody's list. You do not want to injure an eye if a particle is projected into it with one of your tools.
I had a blade break off of an Xuron rail cutter, and it flew like a bullet to the other end of the room. It could have injured an eye if it went in that direction . Other tools are also potentially hazardous.
....
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
So that is why my Sister says I am such a Tool.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I could Not resist:
Every tool I own is My favorite.......when they get the job done!
Been known to make My own tools.......building diesel/nitro/gas engines, since 13yrs. old (1955).
Take Care!
Frank
I guess my favorite would be the ones I use the most: (In no particular order)
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
My most used tool is my Optivisor. (Better than other brands), (Better with glass lens instead of plastic)
Next would be my lamps
After that would be
Needle nose tweezers.
Flat toothpicks to apply glue
Plastic lids to hold the glue after sqeezing it out of the tube.
Xacto knives to cut with
Piece of oak wood to cut on
Ball handle pin vise and drill bits
Paint brushes and paints
And then everything else above (except the CAD) plus a whole bunch of more tools - enough to fill a rolling tool cart with 5 drawers and a double pedestal desk and some left over.
Paul
The ones I use the most:
Sprue Cutter
X-Acto Knife
Needle Nose Pliers (Bending Wire for Airlines, Brake lines, etc.)
Pin Vise
Nail Files
Dremel Tool, Battery Operated.
Metal Straight Edge
Assorted Screwdrivers
Disecting Needle
Cutting Pliers
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
While I have the normal every day basic modeling tools there is one I can not live without- a four prong holder that does several jobs including starting truck and coupler box screws.
A perfect tool for those of us that suffers from the fat finger syndrome.
https://www.micromark.com/Long-Gripster-Tool-Set
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I have most things that a well equipped hobbyist has mostly because I use to scratch build R/C airplanes so when I got back into MRR I was ready to go. The one thing that I got that I wish I had been smart enough to buy right from the get-go was a soldering station. A soldering station would be at the top of my list for a Model Railroader.
I am the type of guy that does not hesitate to go buy a speciality tool if I want it thus I have a bit of everything. However, the most indespensible tool I have is my head visor magnifier. I work in N scale and many details are too small for my old eyes to deal with effectivally when building stuff. For everything else, I find that there is more than one way to cut/slice/trim/etc thus no one tool stops me if it turns up missing.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's