My new tender suffered minor damage getting out of its foam. The two rear steps are off. I would like to use two hands while replacing them. A cradle is OK for top and bottom but not for ends. What else is there?
73,
[:-^]
Morning Bruce,
How are things down #1 east this morning. Hope all is well.
I purchased the “Dremel” bench vise about a year and a half ago for that very same reason.
I lay a piece of thin packing foam shaped like a “U” in the jaws and it will hold those type items very tenderly.
It has worked well for me.
I picked it up on sale at Home Depot for $39.95. I think it is usually $10.00 more.
Hope this gives you an option.
Have a great week.
Johnboy out…
Never mind. Delete
For working on the end of a tender (or any rolling stock for that matter), I’ve always wrapped the item in a thick paper towel(s) and stood it up in a heavy ceramic coffee mug.
Both good ideas friends. I do have a Dremel like vise that I tried o hold the tender with a piece of 1/2" foam rubber on each side. The friction holds the car in place with little tightening of the vise required.
The paper towels in a mug idea has a lot of merit as well.
Thanks
Similar to the coffee mug, I use a heavy beer mug, which is usually taller than most coffee mugs. I wrap the model in cloth or foam. For a better working height, I place it in the drawer located over the kneehole in my work desk. This is also useful for decaling the reporting marks and car numbers on freight car ends.
Wayne
Another option:
Those thick styrofoam blocks that come in DVD, TV, game, and stereo boxes that people often throw away are great for holding model railroad rolling stock in vertical positions. Simply cut a square hole opening large enough for your rolling stock to fit in and you’re good to go.