A basin to contain the small parts that I tend to drop. Also for small parts a good set of micro screwdrivers is invaluable.
I put my locomotive cradle inside the basin and use the screwdrivers to change couplers and such.
Believe it or not, outside of my Dremel, the good 'ol utility knife. I use it much more than my X-Acto knife because it is more durable and I don’t have to change blades in it near as often.
All the above, at any given time. But biting the bullet and getting a well accessorized Sherline 4400 lathe and 2000 vertical mill and a rotary table (primarily for a long anticipated"dream" project in a larger scale) sure opened up a world of possibilities on the HO layout.
I’ve used the mill to modify metal locomotive frames, remove bulky details from cast metal models, make precision duplicate parts in brass and styrene, and many more uses.
The lathe has been great to make flywheels for many locomotives, some are very specifically made to fit and fill just the space available. It’s also used to drill out and modify nickel plated wheelsets to fit other than their original application. And make bearings and other parts.
This Athearn Hustler for example has a frame milled out to make space for the custom made flywheels, and axle bearings were turned for it also. The plastic axle and gear were mated as well on the lathe from delrin rod and Atlas gears. A very smooth slow ride for a Hustler.
Sagami Can
I sold an old truck to get some of the Sherline stuff, and it’s definitely high on the favorite tools list. Then bought the truck back later!
I would like to add that a small harbor freight drill press gets a great deal of use as well, and they cost less than the average new HO locomotive these days. It’s well within reach of most hobby budgets. Dan
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I was trying to sing it to the tune of “Partical Man” by They Might Be Giants until I saw your explanation on the last line.
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Now it makes more sense.
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-Kevin
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I thought it went pretty well to the Black Sabbath song " Psycho Man"
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That is an amazing execution of an upgraded Hustler! Great job.
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I had a different solution for mine, but yours is much better.
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-Kevin
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My collection of 35mm color slides not only provides the inspiration for the projects that employ the rest of my tools, they also provide a time machine back to 1978-1986, when they were shot. They ARE my most important tools.
The most important model railroading tool is money. You need lots of it so you can afford a house with a nice good sized room or basement to build a nice layout.
Second most important tool us stability. You need to be stable in the same place for enough time to build and enjoy a layout. Moving a lot tends to get in the way of the hobby. What good is having a chest of nice hobby tools if you don’t have space and stability?
Pretty much everything you see here, and then some…
IMG_7287_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
One thing I use nearly every day that I haven’t seen mentioned is that 5 amp-30 Volt DC power supply with meters (hiding behind the Miller can). Testing and running locomotives before decoder installs or running in locos, another handy tool are a set of driving wheel stationary rollers (the Bachmann ones are actually quite good quality). Also good for testing LED circuits.
Speaking of electrical, a decade resistor box is a pretty handy gadget, too.
Plus a good multimeter.
JMRI, ESU decoder tester and Lokprogrammer and a Sprogg II test track are also handy if you have a decent-sized DCC roster.
There’s tons more good stuff. I’ll think of it later [:-^]
Thank You, Ed
Late to the party, but:
An aluminum surface plate (10" x 12.5" x .5") with track-gage slots cut in one side.
Ed (other)
Wayne, I thought I saw some kids playing dodgeball with it…The folds lend to a better grip.
Ah, but there’s one above even those, cuz without it, their use can be choked out: —Just gotta brag a little— A WIFE like mine![:)]
(see my last post in “Wish List”) Dan