I’m looking for suggestions for tools suitable for working with z scale stuff. I have plenty of tools, but none that’s suitable for working with the small pieces of z scale. Suggestions on good places to buy would help too. Thanks, Steve
Hi Steve, WELCOME TO TRAINBOARD. What are you working on. Most of my tools come from my local hobby shop. I also suggest Micro Mark. The tools I used most often are set of small tweeser, jewelers screw drivers, and hobby knive. Another place to get hobby tools is Radio Schack. Thats were I got my battery power soldering iron and other stuff. We also like to know what are you working on. On my part, I love pictures. Nothing tells a story better then pictures and words.
I have a 4 in 1 screw driver from General (part number 741). I love this unit. The small phillips head driver is perfect for MTL coupler screws. One must for me is the HTM locomotive cradle. It is specifically designed for Z scale You can find it on Ztrack Center: Ztrack Center: HTM Tools, Wagons And Accessories Rob
[FONT="]The tools are for working on locos. I received a brand new MTL B&O F7 that didn’t run. After disassembly I realized I needed better tools for the job. That cradle sure would have been nice. Here's a pic of my layout I'll be working on. [/FONT]
You will need a jewelers screwdriver set, pointy nose and flat nose tweezers, small serrated tip needle nose pliers, flush cutters, track cutter, exacto knive, #61-80 drill bits and pinvise, 00-90 tap, large sewing needles mounted eye end into a wooden dowel to make a needle tool. You need a dremel and assortment of bits, jewelers miter box and saw, optivisor magnification, and gooseneck lamp for illuminating small areas. A small LED flashlight to help with inspecting small stuff is also good.
Here is another holding device for about $26, Rotary Work Table 4168 . This appears to allow you to hold the unit in almost any position since it rotates. The tools section has some additional inexpensive holders. LitchfieldLLC ...don
Older, idle locos from Märklin often have this lube problem. Very old 3 pole motor series definitely did. I think everyone has covered all the good stuff for tools. Nothing exotic needed or hard to find. In addition, get yourself good plastic compatible cleaner and lube. Look on the cleaners, available at electronic stores, etc. but always test on the motor parts and NEVER on the painted parts (shell and trucks). Always get the lube out before re-lubing. As for the lube, most of use use Labelle 108. It's "thin" (low viscousity) and plastic compatible. You might also want to get a 'capillary' tube lube bottle. These have very thin tubes, much thinner than the already thin Labelle tubes, making it easier to get in the motor bearings and truck gears without flooding them. Lube your locos about every 100 hours or so. If you run the locos at Märklin or Lionel speed, you might want to lube more often as the much higher heat and friction will take it's toll. One note: work on a white towel or pillow case. Parts don't bounce and can easily be found. It takes about 30 seconds to disassemble a Märklin locolubea couple of twea
Another source for odd tools are jewelrs' supply stoes, and ebay sellers like: eBay Store - dremel: fiskars, x-acto, jeweler The item in the photo below is a watch movement holder. It comes in very handy for working on Marklin steam locs (not much use for MT F7's). They are available from Jewelers suppliers or eBay. Dan S.
