I am still fairly new to all of this and was wondering, what tools should I be looking at getting ahead of time so that I’m not stuck needing a tool at 8pm on a Saturday night?
Depends. Really. For what might you need them? Are you building a layout, and if so, what type of construction, what materials, and thereafter, what sub-roadbed, what topographical structures and of what construction, and so on?
Saw, hammer, 14-18v cordless drill, 13/4" and 3" brass wood screws, carpenter’s glue, square, level, clamps, sanding material, shop vac, dremel-type hand tool, hearing protectors, lung protectors, sense of humour, Advil, coffee, good lawyer, doctor on speed-dial, the list is endless. [:D]
[#welcome]
Make sure you have a reliable power drill (like a DeWalt) and some drill bits. Also, get as many screws as you think you will need. You will need more than you think. Make sure you have either a reliable table saw or a good jigsaw. You will need a pair of rail nippers, Xuron is a good brand. You will need some small screwdrivers. Make sure you have some CA to glue things. I am somewhat of a newbie myself, so I don’t know everything there is to know. Just some advice
I can make a few suggestions on mrr tools that you will find useful. You’ll eventually collect a lot, but here are some of the more basic ones that you need to start accumulating. You don’t need them all at once.
set of misc small pliers
set of jewelers screwdrivers
set of jewelers files
tweezers (a set of different ones, if possible)
scale rule
set of xacto knives (I’d recommend the wood boxed set with three different sized handles and an assortment of blades - but to start at least get one handle and a bunch of #11 blades)
Razor saw (w/ miter box, if possible)
pin vise and some small drill bits
small pencil soldering iron
NMRA track guage
sprue cutter (optional - I like it)
Xuron (or other make) rail cutter (use it only to cut rail)
Regards
Ed
Good set of paint brushes
Pin vise with at least a dozen of all the smaller bits.
A decent dial or digital calipers. If I had to pick just 3 tools, I would have calipers, a hobby knife with a #11 blade and a pin vise (with drill bits). I can do 90% of my kit assembly and scratchbuilding with those 3 tools.
Dave H.
In addition to what has been mentioned before:
Good light - I use a high intensity lamp on the layout and on my work bench. This is in addition to overhead lighting or other lighting.
An Optivisor - magnifying glasses.
Personally, I prefer #16 blades over #11
Small hammer - with interchangeable heads
flat toothpicks - for applying glue
cheap paint brushes, cut off most off the bristles and use for Testor’s liquid cement.
emory boards for sanding
Enjoy
Paul
I second that about a magnifying lens !!!
I have one of the arm-lens-light types that is VITAL for me to work - and that’s HO scale !!!
A Dremel set is nice, too !!!
I would like to add a tool that I found absolutely necessary was the metal ‘framing jig’ with magnets. This jig will keep your project walls square and give you a way to hold things steady as the glue dries. I used it extensively when I was constructing the bents for a trestle bridge. Worked great!!
I like Ed’s list above, and would add a Kadee #205 coupler hieght guage or equivalent (Micro Mark has an equivalent).
I think csxguy’s advice is over the top; a reliable variable speed 3/8" drill to drive screws and drill holes can be had far less than $50; my favorite for driving screws is a Skil 3/8" 1/3hp vsr hammer drill; $40 at Menard’s. I have driven over 50lbs sheet rock screws, drilled thousands of holes in wood and metal, and hundreds of holes in concrete with it in the twenty years I have had it. I recently replaced the chuck on it, and it is back to a good as new. The Skil brand is owned by Bosch, the replacement chuck arrived in two days. Friends who have used it, noted that it provided a bit more torque than they were comfortable with, but I guess I am used to it. The downside of the hammer drill is that it is not compatible with a keyless chuck.
Patients. And occasional alcohol if your old enough…
I got a $20 Dremel knock off this year and I think it’s the only tool I own that’s paid for itself. (what?? No 24/7 hobby shops in Canada??)
loathar
It’s interesting what tools are important to some! I’ve been modeling for about 25 years and have had a lot of successes, all without owning a caliper! Guess I must be doing something wrong, perhaps I should turn back in my awards for my many “Best in Show” contest wins! [:D]
Bob Boudreau
Depend’s on what phase of modeling you are in
benchwork - power screwdriver
track laying - needle nose pliar’s
KITS -rolling stock - pin vise, KD 2-56 tap/drill set, Jewlers screwdriver set
KITS -building’s - 'squaring jigs, Testor’s styrene cement
scenery - mixing bowls, spatulas, putty knives
For starter’s: NMRA guage, Kaydee 205 guage (for all knuckle couplers)
Advice: Don’t skimp on tool cost’s. GOOD tools perform better plus last a lifetime.
you could have all the tools listed above and 5 minutes after the LHS closes you’re going to find out there is one thing you’re missing . don’t worry about , do something else , there’s always another project to work on [:)]
what i really hate is finding out i’m missing something 5 minutes after getting home from a trip to the LHS , especially when i looked right at the item in the store and didn’t pick it up !
Obviously not, congratulations on achieving all of them without a caliper. But it’s possible that having had a caliper might have made some parts of your projects easier.
I have a real cheap slide caliper. It’s not very exact, but it has come in handy a number of times trying to get outside readings.
Regards
Ed