Model Building Jig on You Tube

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I came across an innovative scratch-built model building jig on You Tube recently that I believe would be very useful for those of us who DIY structures, engines and rolling stock.

Scratch Built Styrene Model Tool - Like having Eight Hands! is the title of the video and

https://youtu.be/bG8saJ_GZpQ is the You Tube location for this, and the author is called “Tinker Terrain”. He is a fine scale modeler and his jig- using metal surfaces, magnets (sheet magnetics and small rare earth magnets) and key stock shapes is well-suited to our hobby.

Although he uses repurposed filing cabinet sheet metal in his version, not having a spare junk filing cabinet available, quick research showed that you can get smaller 22 and 28 gauge sheet metal blanks at Home Depot for between $8- $12. These were double-stick- taped to both surfaces. The magnets and magnetic sheet are available at Walmart (craft/office supplies aisles) and the key stock shapes (box set) is available online thru Amazon.

I don’t recall any particular dimensions, but that can be determined from the video. I guess that 15-18 inches long would be a workable size.

I am going to build mine this weekend!

Cedarwoodron

2

It’s a decent build, I think MicroMark has been offering similar items for years, but I’d think the DIY approach would be cheaper (and more customizable to your situation).
Only catch I see is…you better get that vertical fence at a perfect 90 degree angle with the horizontal work surface or it’s all over for your fine-scale modeling…(I presume he routed out the channel, still, he had to have taken his time).

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Cedarwoodron,

Thanks for sharing that tip [8D][tup]. Definitely am going to build one as I already have the materials on hand.

I have a Walthers Car Shop building as well as a Commisary/Transfer building that I want to build, hopefully next month, after I catch up on my passenger car metalizing list.