Need a tool

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have some parking meters from Walters city details package that I need to sink into my styrene sidewalks. The posts are quite narrow and I have only one small drill bit and even that is slightly too large, but that is not the problem. My LHS has plenty of small drill bits to choose from. The problem is the sidewalks are too narrow to allow me to drill vertically because the building fronts are too close to the edge of the sidewalk. Some of the buildings could be removed but I have Walthers Merchants Rows I and II and the sidewalks are part of the foundation of these structures and have been cemented into place. Trying to remove them would risk serious damage.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a tool that could get within 3/4 inch of the building fronts to drill, ream or press a vertical pilot hole into the sidewalks. I only need to go about 1/16", possibly even 1/32" would be enough to get the parking meter posts to stand vertically with a little cement.

2

You could try twirling an Xacto in the sidewalk to make a recess. I have never tried this but it sounds plausible, try it on a scrap first.

3

This little baby from Micro-Mark tools should do the trick ($8.95):

4

You need an inexpensive “pin vise”. This will hold drill bits down to #80 and can get as close as 1/4" to your buildings. Think of a pin vise as a small metal dowel that has a chuck for small drills on the end. You just rotate the dowel with your fingers and the hole id drilled. Very accurate.

5

If you have a dremel…a flex shaft attachment can be priceless when working in close quarters. On the other hand, the suggestions already put forward will work well too but the Dremel has MORE POWER, ARRGG ARRGG ARRGG! [;)]

6

Hello take a piece of brass rod the same size grind a point on the end . And heat the end up it should make dent or a hole that your post should fit in. But the doll rod with the drill bit in the end should work fine. Hope this helps Frank

7

I have one of the hand drills like what Joe showed, and they work great provided you have room to manuver your hands a little to make it work. Barring that, what about making an awl to do what you need? All you’d need is some brass rod thats the right size. Just sharpen the end and then you could secure it to a piece of metal stock or wood for a support handle.

EDIT: Oops! Guess I should have read the post above mine! Great minds think alike I guess!

8

This looks like just what I had in mind.

Thanks to all who responded.