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Purchasing Lifetime Supplies

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  • Member since
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Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:34 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
I'm so practical the last two cars we have owned were nearly identical. In 2012 we bought a FORD FLEX. It was totaled in a crash in 2015. We bought another FORD FLEX with nearly identical features and options. And for those who don't know, the FORD FLEX has not really changed in its 11 years of production. I will be sad when I cannot buy a third one...........

Still some new 19s on the lots.  Go grab one!   

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:22 PM

When I was growing up, our garage was a storehouse of things my father used.  If you needed a nail or a washer, he had coffee cans and jars full of them.

The problem was that nothing was sorted.  You could spend a half-hour looking for just the right bolt.

I fell into the same trap, and for years, after looking through my bins and containers, I would just go to the hardware store and buy more.

When I retired, one of my bucket list projects was to take care of that.  I collected about 30 plastic peanut butter jars, bought a label maker, and I sorted every single bolt, nail, washer, nut, and screw I had.  I ended up with a nice organized collection.  I also threw away a bunch of things that I would never use again.

Now I have jars of nails and screws that I will never use in this lifetime, but they are all neatly arranged on my shed shelves for my children to throw away after my funeral.

York1 John       

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:03 PM

SeeYou190
 
richhotrain
By the way, can you spare a few #78 drill bits?

Just kidding! I have never actually used a #78 drill bit.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:01 PM

richhotrain
By the way, can you spare a few #78 drill bits?

Rich, They are packed away in boxes for the remodel, and I cannot get to them easily right now.

Only 5 days until the dumpster gets delivered! I am so excited!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:41 PM

No hording is an impotant subject and large numbers of things tend to go there in these times. Model railroading is unique in this as we buy stuff over the years for a purpose but we really don't know all the facts at the time of purchase. I bought out a local hobby shop of all the code 70 track they had (they were only going to carry code 100 and I got ba fantastic bargin). This was 20 years before I got the time to use any but a few peices. Finally I just sold all the #8 turnouts on e-bay, #6 may be next as I use mainly #4's.

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:36 PM

SeeYou190

Rich, got your point.

I did not foresee that the conversation would go that far down the rabbit hole of hoarding.

-Kevin 

LOL

I knew you would, Kevin, and you took my comment in the spirit in which it was intended.

I will say this. My innocent comment to Brakie about this forum isn't what it used to be has apparently generated a lot of controversy, none of which I intended.

By the way, can you spare a few #78 drill bits? After I read your initial post, I checked my supply, and I only have one left.  Laugh

Rich

Alton Junction

jjo
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Posted by jjo on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:33 PM

I do have the "packrat" mentality of don't throw away anything..You might need it someday :) 

But then , periodically, I have to do a thinning out and throw out the junk, telling myself "you're never going to use/need this item"...Oh well....

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:24 PM

Rich, got your point.

I did not foresee that the conversation would go that far down the rabbit hole of hoarding.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:22 PM

SeeYou190

I started this thread to talk about purchasing lifetime supplies all at once instead off a little at a time. I do not want to discuss hoarding.

SeeYou190

It started with #78 drill bits, I bought 1,000 of them at once because I never wanted to buy them again.

Is this something normal, or is it a sign of hoarding.

ConfusedConfused

Alton Junction

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:11 PM

SeeYou190
I actually found a brass locomotive I forgot I had!

That happened to me, too. A little over 40 years ago, that loco was packed up and stored in a moving box, which moved unopened a number of times with us. I rediscovered that treasure only a couple of years ago. Still runs nicely!

 

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:09 PM

I started this thread to talk about purchasing lifetime supplies all at once instead off a little at a time. I do not want to discuss hoarding. Can we please drop the hoarding discussions, or you can start a new thread if you think this is a problem that needs to be worked out.

My house is neat, everything has a place where it can be put away, and I have no problem throwing away items that are not needed.

We used to have three daughters here, now we have space for our hobbies. Not a bad thing at all.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:07 PM

MARTIN STATION
As far as "stocking up on a lifetime supply" of things, as I have been cleaning out and organizing my Train Room during this "shelter in place" down time, I discovered that I have been doing just that with many things over the years and didn't even know it! I have been pleasantly surprised at some of the treasure I am finding.

I have also been cleaning a lot. This has nothing to do with the lockdown, but my remodeling of the bedrooms. I have been packing up the workshop that was constructed in one bedroom. The other bedroom was my 30 by 30 photo diorama studio.

I actually found a brass locomotive I forgot I had!

For the most part, I am pretty happy with all the things I am finding. I have purchased quite wisely.

My only mistake was about 7 years ago I went on a 1/48 scale military model building binge. I bought about 12 armoured vehicles and another dozen aircraft kits that are all still sealed in the boxes. These were a poor decision, but I might get back into it one day.

-Kevin

 

Living the dream.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 1:51 PM

rrebell
This used to be just an extra forum untill the one I was really involved in was sold.

I ended up here after I was booted off of the wargaming forums.

I don't have time for more than one forum, and Model Railroading has always been one of my hobbies, so here I am.

hon30critter
Personally I am quite happy with the forums. Everyone is polite and supportive, and the moderaters are doing a great job of politely keeping us all in line.

Me too, 100% agree.

MARTIN STATION
I always thought of the Fourm as a group conversation like people used to have at the hobby shops on Friday night or Saturday mornings except we use our fingers instead of our tongues

Me too again, and I enjoy the "Coffee Clutch" mentality that some like to complain about. I think we are a great social group.

York1
But I can get help when I need it, I can report on things I've done, I can talk to people I probably wouldn't otherwise, and when a forum gets too political, I just don't read it anymore. This site is now about the only online site that I regularly use. I really hope that Kalmbach keeps this going.

This is the only social interaction on the internet that I have. I do very much appreciate it, and throw my support back to Kalmach in appreciation (subscriptions to MR, FSM, SAE, and MR V-P).

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 11:59 AM

I really like this forum.  I've only been a member for a couple of years, so I can't say what it used to be.

But I can get help when I need it, I can report on things I've done, I can talk to people I probably wouldn't otherwise, and when a forum gets too political, I just don't read it anymore.  This site is now about the only online site that I regularly use.

I really hope that Kalmbach keeps this going.

York1 John       

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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 11:31 AM

I have been downsizing for years now, still got a bunch to go, mostly craftsman buildings (to be built) and rolling stock. I have always been a bottom feeder so the way I fiqure it, when done, is I broke even with the hobby costing nothing. I will tell you the price of things on e-bay in the train area are down, glad I sold a majority of the extras, years ago. Used to get close to $20 for a new in the box Shinohara switch but now closer to $10, which is about what I paid.

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Posted by MARTIN STATION on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:56 AM

 By the way, I found lot's of stuff from scenery material, tools and even BB locomotive parts (and the locomotives to go with them) as well as building kits to build a retro 80's layout in HO.

Ralph

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Posted by MARTIN STATION on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:55 AM

Hi all,

  I always thought of the Fourm as a group conversation like people used to have at the hobby shops on Friday night or Saturday mornings except we use our fingers instead of our tongues. Everyone had an opinion but we could all be respectful. And just like then I learned a lot more by listening to what everyone had to say and testing it out for myself. The fourm still one of my most important tools.

  As far as "stocking up on a lifetime supply" of things, as I have been cleaning out and organizing my Train Room during this "shelter in place" down time, I discovered that I have been doing just that with many things over the years and didn't even know it! I have been pleasantly surprised at some of the treasure I am finding. I have spent some happy moments enjoying some of those "someday projects" with some of the advice and knowledge I've learned right here. And with that I will say a heartfelt "thank you" to all of you and get back to work.

Ralph

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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:49 AM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 
richhotrain

 

 
BRAKIE
 
richhotrain

That is really true, Tom. Technical threads draw a small audience of truly dedicated forum members. Post a whimsical thread with a clever title and you will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of views.

Rich 

Rich, Was this forum ever that serious? I reall the flame wars over just about everything when I join back in 2001.  I think this forum is more  like a club then anything technical other then the DCC forum..

The only "serious" forum I know is the Atlas Rescue Forum and there is a lot of complaining there about models some times even a member that has a different view gets yelled at. 

Be that has it may I am a member there because I can get the detailed reviews of new releases including any minor or major flaws. I simply judge what is being said about a certain model to see if it fits my guide lines.. My IM GP10 was such a locomotive as was my Scale Trains "Operator" SD40-2.  

 

 

Was this forum ever that serious? Larry, you raise a good question. I really don't know the answer.

 

Back in 2004 when I joined the forum, it seemed a lot more serious than it is now. Maybe it is because so many serious modelers have left this forum for other forums and so now the whimsical threads are more prevalent.

I can say this. When old, dormant threads are resurrected, I always notice how many screen names appear that are now long gone. In any event, in my opinion, this forum definitely is not what it used to be.

Rich

 

 

 

Well, that was my point to Jim earlier. Whenever I take a more serious view, I am either bombarded with negitivity (which never really bothers me) or there is little interest.

When I joined this forum 10 years ago, I was ridiculed by more than a few people because I dared to challenge the idea that DCC was the perfect control system for every layout.

I will simply continue to post what I am doing that I think might interest others, and offering my opinion to other posts if I feel so inclined.

Sheldon

 

 

I  am with you and only got into DCC because I got a deal and it was a Digitrax Zepher and an MTH engine with sound and other parts for $200 out the door. The control didn't grab me, it was fine but I don't run mutiple engines at the same time but the sound, that was the game changer. Then I bought some DCC sound engines from Bachmann and wow has that company improved and they were dirt cheap too, a 2-6-0 for $90 and an S4 for $65 if I remember right from a bigbox mailorder store to boot.

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Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:31 AM

tstage

 

 
riogrande5761

Sometimes I wonder if this forum is a kind of "therapy" for some of the members.  The general section has largely become a sort of "coffee clutch" for some time now.

 

Truer words have never been spoken, Jim...

 

 
I wonder how some will deal if/when MR closes the forum down, which I expect will be coming; it seems like a matter of time.

 

Someone recently commented to me that, should that happen, someone could start an "MR Rescue Forum" like they did over at the Atlas website.  That way some folks won't suffer from delirium tremens of not having the forum around.

 

This used to be just an extra forum untill the one I was really involved in was sold. It still exists but is a shell of its former self. I liked that one because a alot of the constant posters were running model railroad manufacturing. Also they really didn't moniter things but let thing die a natural death and the people with a program just faded away very quickly. Now maybe MR can't because they are venders of generaly distributed items like their magazines.

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Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:09 AM

Sheldon, I don't know if it's human nature, but I think we are more tempted to reply when we disagree with someone than when we agree. I probably agree with the vast majority of statements made here (even contradicting comments can be correct, depending on the circumstances), but I guess I don't want to clutter the forum with simple "I agree with..." statements.

Simon

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Posted by Marc_Magnus on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 6:45 AM

Back to the title of this thread

 

I have a good inventory of what I have acquired during 45 years of dream modeling.

I have always dream about the construction of a huge layout; now I'm sixty, and this dream has come true.

The dream follow a big move from Europe to Quebec already more than six months ago.

I have the unique chance to move with my layout and all the suff acquired in this long period of dreaming.

Because an inventory was necessary for the move and the customs, I have bring with me, not included the layout around 5 m³ of train stuff put in boxes, this includes, materials, paints,  tooling equipment, benchwork, model trains, model structures, electrical and electronic stuff and my collection of magazines and trains books.

Never had believe I had so much things about train; some where a rediscovery when i put them in boxes for the move.

But I have buy all these things with the idea my dream come true one day.

So basicaly 98% will find a use in my new project; I have try to buy stuff which can be used in my layout emphasis and no stuff which can't be used for the big layout project.

The new ongoing plan includes already for the most all the structures I have in stock, acquired during a 45 years of dreaming time.

So I'm sure I will not stay with a lot of stuff unused in a near future.

In fact I already need more.

 

 

 

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 6:11 AM

richhotrain

 

 
BRAKIE
 
richhotrain

That is really true, Tom. Technical threads draw a small audience of truly dedicated forum members. Post a whimsical thread with a clever title and you will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of views.

Rich 

Rich, Was this forum ever that serious? I reall the flame wars over just about everything when I join back in 2001.  I think this forum is more  like a club then anything technical other then the DCC forum..

The only "serious" forum I know is the Atlas Rescue Forum and there is a lot of complaining there about models some times even a member that has a different view gets yelled at. 

Be that has it may I am a member there because I can get the detailed reviews of new releases including any minor or major flaws. I simply judge what is being said about a certain model to see if it fits my guide lines.. My IM GP10 was such a locomotive as was my Scale Trains "Operator" SD40-2.  

 

 

Was this forum ever that serious? Larry, you raise a good question. I really don't know the answer.

 

Back in 2004 when I joined the forum, it seemed a lot more serious than it is now. Maybe it is because so many serious modelers have left this forum for other forums and so now the whimsical threads are more prevalent.

I can say this. When old, dormant threads are resurrected, I always notice how many screen names appear that are now long gone. In any event, in my opinion, this forum definitely is not what it used to be.

Rich

 

Well, that was my point to Jim earlier. Whenever I take a more serious view, I am either bombarded with negitivity (which never really bothers me) or there is little interest.

When I joined this forum 10 years ago, I was ridiculed by more than a few people because I dared to challenge the idea that DCC was the perfect control system for every layout.

I will simply continue to post what I am doing that I think might interest others, and offering my opinion to other posts if I feel so inclined.

Sheldon

 

    

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 6:10 AM

richhotrain
In any event, in my opinion, this forum definitely is not what it used to be.

Rich,

Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I'm not sure I understand your point.

Personally I am quite happy with the forums. Everyone is polite and supportive, and the moderaters are doing a great job of politely keeping us all in line. I used to get stressed regularly by some of the responses to my posts because of my depression issues, but the offenders are long gone (good riddance!).

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 5:44 AM

Bob Dylan put it in better words!

 

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

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Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 5:32 AM

richhotrain
Not sure I get your point. Rich

I think the point is, this forum is like a flowing river. There are similarities from day-to-day but the current is forever changing and the water you see flowing by today is not the water that was there yesterday.

I'll get off my philosophical soap box now.

I rather embrace change and new ideas. We are here to discuss those ideas. I believe Ulrich's reference to Waldorf & Statler is that you can get stuck in a rut and pine for the "way it used to be" but the current will continue to flow, participants here will fade away and others will soon arrive.

The only constant is change.

 

       2 ¢  —  Cheers, Ed

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 4:37 AM

Tinplate Toddler
 
richhotrain
this forum definitely is not what it used to be. 

So is the world! Things are changing, whether you like it or not. Joining the ranks of Waldorf and Statler doesn´t help. 

Not sure I get your point.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Tinplate Toddler on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 4:26 AM

richhotrain
this forum definitely is not what it used to be.

So is the world! Things are changing, whether you like it or not. Joining the ranks of Waldorf and Statler doesn´t help.

Happy times!

Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)

"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 4:22 AM

BRAKIE
 
richhotrain

That is really true, Tom. Technical threads draw a small audience of truly dedicated forum members. Post a whimsical thread with a clever title and you will draw hundreds, if not thousands, of views.

Rich 

Rich, Was this forum ever that serious? I reall the flame wars over just about everything when I join back in 2001.  I think this forum is more  like a club then anything technical other then the DCC forum..

The only "serious" forum I know is the Atlas Rescue Forum and there is a lot of complaining there about models some times even a member that has a different view gets yelled at. 

Be that has it may I am a member there because I can get the detailed reviews of new releases including any minor or major flaws. I simply judge what is being said about a certain model to see if it fits my guide lines.. My IM GP10 was such a locomotive as was my Scale Trains "Operator" SD40-2.  

Was this forum ever that serious? Larry, you raise a good question. I really don't know the answer.

Back in 2004 when I joined the forum, it seemed a lot more serious than it is now. Maybe it is because so many serious modelers have left this forum for other forums and so now the whimsical threads are more prevalent.

I can say this. When old, dormant threads are resurrected, I always notice how many screen names appear that are now long gone. In any event, in my opinion, this forum definitely is not what it used to be.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Renegade1c on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 11:20 PM

Three Things I keep in abundance. Drywall screws, LED's and 1K resistors. I literally have bought all three by the thousands. I have red, green, yellow, orange, warm white cool white, and blue LED's that I always have around. The warm white ones are surface mount (0603 and 1204) and cool white is 0603. The cool whites one I use for industrial lighting. For example I have installed well over 200 LED's throughout the refinery. I really need to get them all hooked up and get a night shot. The red, green, yellow and orange are used for control panels.

As for drywall screws, practically the entire layout is built from them and 1x4's


Colorado Front Range Railroad: 
http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/

flag

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 9:31 PM

Southgate
I'd have stocked up on those switches that you did, and other commodity items.

I bought the DPDT toggles at Skycraft in Orlando. One day they had boxes of 50 of them for $100.00, so only a couple of bucks each. You cannot say no to that price.

richhotrain
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them.

Well, that is not me, hardly anything in that description sounded like me. I love throwing things away. My wife says I look at an empty garbage can the way an artist looks at a blank canvas.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
But if you need a wire nut, or screw or other mechanical wigget, there is a good a chance I will have one........

Same here. Virtually anything that goes wrong in the house can be fixed with supplies on hand and with tools that are here. I even have supplies to patch back together after a hurricane. 

That is all just being a respsonsible homeowner.

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
But here is the list of things purged when or before we moved:

Only six days until my roll-off dumpster gets delivered, and oh-boy-golly will there be a purge then.

Here is a partial list:

About 600 DVD movies

2 Desks

2 End Tables

1 Train Layout Segment

All kinds of damaged wargames terrain

1 Set of Patio Furniture

1 Set if Bedroom Furniture

3 Bookcases

Plus everything that has to be demolished from the house for the bedroom remodel.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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