Anybody use these? The soldering tool, track tool (keeps rails aligned for cutting), parallel tool, and ballast spreader all look like they’d be useful. I know I’d probably never use them again once the track is down, but since i’m working on a room sized layout, I was wondering if it would be $20-$25 well spent.
I think it would be well spent because you may want to make changes or you may need to make adjustents/repairs. I would get most of them. I have not heard good things about the ballast spreader.
Tom
even with the small layouts thoose tools cna help alot you never know when you might need them and its not that bad of price.
Fiatfan, what have you heard that wasn’t good about the ballast spreader? I’ve never seen one up close so I can’t really tell if it would come in handy or not. Last RR I built I just used some cardboard cut to the apprx demensions of the track and roadbed and spread the ballast that way.
I have all of them, here is what I think.
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Soldering tool. Used it once. Found it just as easy to use a hot iron and a quick soldering job without it. The few times I had melted ties, I just pushed them back into place with a screw driver before they cooled and they were fine.
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Track tool. I do use this, but as a template for marking since I cut my track with a track cutting plyer rather than a saw. I place the tool and mark the cut points with a sharpie.
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Parallel tool. The best of the lot. This in conjunction with the flex track staightening tool I used all the time in the yard and on long sections of straight track.
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Ballast spreader. I use it to pour the ballast from the top. I found that when used as designed, it puts the right amount of ballast in the center of the track, but not enough on the shoulders. I would not buy one again.
Simon, would it be possible to drill slightly larger holes on the sides of the ballast spreader in order to dump more ballast on the shoulders?
I’ve been looking on ebay, and I’m just trying to decide if I should get the complete tool package (6 tools for apprx $30 +shipping) or just buy the ones I need (apprx $5 ea plus shipping).
Thanks again guys!
Jshrade, You can save a bundle by making your own. A couple scrap pieces of small hardwood will do the trick. The only one that might be a bit difficult to make is the flex track tool (which I did use to line up the roundhouse tracks on my turntable). The cutting tool, soldering tool (which is intended to keep the rail in gauge), and the parallel, a simple hacksaw and a piece of wood. Spend the $30 plus shipping on something else, like a new box car or two.
The ballast spreader just simply sucks. I’m amazed it’s even still on the market. A spoon and a brush (which you still need to use with the spreader) will do the same thing. Again, Save your cash for something else.
my [2c]
ageed on the solder tool, used it once, found it was more trouble than it was worth
I like the solder tool, track spacer is a great guide, but the ballast spreader is a pincel holder. When I used it the between the rails sweeper piece would cause me to stop lift the unit and brush off the ties so may as well use the spoon method. Its faster and you have much more control.
I agree that you should spend your money somewhere else.
I have seen Ballast spreaders made from a solid block of wood with no sweaper for the middle, just use a brushas you go. It looked to work very well.
The best ballast spreader I ever found is my finger. It works very well.
I would replace the soldering tool with a couple of metal track gauges. These will hold the rail and act as heat sinks. A heavy one like the Kadee coupler gauge would do nicely.
I use a paper coffee cup and a brush for ballast.
A soldering tool? um maybe a soldering iron, some wet tissue paper, solder lol, only half joking.
Track aligning tools I make myself.
Hope this helps.
Stephen