I imagine most model railroaders like tools. One of the reasons for having a model railroad, is to use those little jewels. One of the lessons I learned from my Dad was to buy good tools. They never let you down. So, I thought it might be interesting and educational if we were to share our collective wisdom around tools. To start it off, I will share three things I have learned or discovered as highly useful during my layout benchwork phase: 1 - The Black and Decker dust buster battery powered vacuum is my most used tool, next to my electric drill. $35 at Walmart By the way, it keeps my wife much happier with the condition of my train room. (I had to buy her one for the kitchen too.) 2 - I have read that cutting 3/4 ply with a sabre saw is cake, well never in my life was it. My old Cheap, Skill 35 special beat me to death cuting anything and it was never straight or square, in any direction! So, last week, at HD, I looked over their selection an decided to try a Bosch 1587AVS and WOW! Where has this saw been all my life! And, it cam with a free orbital sander too boot, about $140. Cutting 3/4 is like cutting on a band saw. Nice, smooth, no flopping around. 3 - Been using dremels and die grinders for 30 years, could not live without them, wore a couple of dremels out and use my big Makita for bigger jobs. Then I saw the new Dremel Lithium ION Cordless, put a chuck on it and it is a very useful tool, especially when nailing track, I can easily pre-drill holes to push nails into even the most subborn hardwood. Just like your old dremel, but with no Cord! HD 70 bucks. This is a very handy tool! So, I shared some of my new tool choices and discoveries with you, how about sharing yours with us?
From the past 37 years, I have learned that good quality tools are worth their price. I've built most of the furniture in my house, as well as about 200 pieces for others. I've also built two houses to contain all that furniture. My best buy ever was a top of the line Sears radial arm saw in 1969. I stopped building furniture four years ago, but still use it to power-carve ship hulls, and build things like the arbor that surrounds our circular courtyard--lots of complicated angle cuts. For model railroading, an 18v DeWalt drill replaced a number of Ryobi 18v drills that broke when dropped or whose batteries went dead. A dremel is essential. I'm on my third, and soon will purchase my fourth--the Li-ion model. A small battery powered drill that will accept tiny bits. Mine's a Testor's or Tamiya--I can't remember. It's been running on two AA cells for four years. It replaces small manual twist drills, and doesn't break as many bits. A DeWalt random-orbit sander is great for shaping parts and finishing hulls. Besides the dremel, it's the tool that's always plugged in. That's really about it for power tools for my railroading. I'm a tool-guy, so I have just about everything but a lathe. Pneumatic nailers are the great tools around, but not generally useful for N-scale railroading!
Certainly, good quality tools are a plus. Other than benchwork, we all use micro tools, which by their very nature have to be quality tools. Even paint brushes need to be high quality. All tools have to be maintained and not abused for safety and longevity.
I think the common thread that keeps coming up is: You pay for what you get. If you want to go cheap, you end up with cheap stuff. Go ahead spend the $ and end up with products/tools that last. Most of my mechanical tools are CRAFTSMAN, with some SNAP-ON thrown in for good measure. Really just can't beat that warranty! Paasche, Dremel, Skil, DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi, you name it, I've most likely got something of each brand. "Pneumatic nailers are the great tools around, but not generally useful for N-scale railroading!" HUH? Shoot, I'm just getting into pneumatics and find they speed up benchwork, general room framing and just about anything else you want to drive a nail or staple for. I've just aquired a couple of nail/staple guns, and am learning the best way to use them. ADDED BONUS: Helps keep wife happy when you can get that room remodeled quickly! On last thing.......I DON'T LOAN TOOLS, PERIOD!!!! You can use them when I'm around, but they don't leave the workshop.
I was being cutesy. My DeWalt framing nailer isn't too good for assembling an N Scale Architect kit. I guess I've been past the benchwork stage for about four years now. It sure did speed up all the construction in 2002--new closet in the master, new shed out back, splitting the garage, building the arborway, building the structure to keep the birds out of the veggie garden . . .
Pete, My brad nailer 18 gauge IS useful around the layout. So, when you mentioned nailers, my frame of reference was fine. I am, however, a certified dry wall screw addict. Imagine how happy I was to find about 10 years ago, that a battery powered drill would actually put a hundred 3 inch drywall screws in to 2x4's! JB
My favorite: 18V Dewalt cordless tool set.. Drill, 5 3/8" saw, snakelight (that cuts 2x4's in one pass) I have beat the living tar (not really, it still looks new) out of it for 5 years doing projects, and it still asks for more. The saw is nice in that it doesn't weigh a ton, great for smaller jobs. I have a Milwaukee 7 1/4" framing saw that does the heavy work--now replaced by my miter saw for crosscutting... 12" Ridgid compound miter saw. Benchwork, furniture, landscaping *cutting landscape timbers*, etc, etc.... Honorable mention: Milwaukee Sawzall. (cannot be all that bad with a name like that, eh, Ken?) I have a 10-amp model, and while it's not orbital, it is incredibly useful. I used it to cut RR ties, since I don't have a chainsaw, pruning tree limbs, demolition, etc. Yes, good tools are worth the investment.
A bit OT, but when looking through tool catalogues I'm always amazed at those tools for jobs I never even knew needing doing
You mean to tell me that using a flat-bladed screwdriver for a crowbar is wrong? :zip: I love tool catalogs. Lots of inspiration, and temptation... My wife usually tears them up before I get them. TOO much temptation...:angel:
Just a reminder to always wear eye protection when using power tools. I was ever so glad I was wearing goggles the day a Dremel cutting wheel disintegrated on me! Whew! "Hmm... so that's what happened to Kiz's nose..."
Sawsall's are amazing tools, put in a bi-metal coarse tooth hacksaw blade and it is the supreme disassembly tool! Hidden nails melt into two pieces. My Milwaukee is about 13 years old and still going strong. I used it to disassemble my Atlas Midland Central where I had put some blind screws in the framework. Cheese for a Sawsall. I too have a Dewalt battery drill and saw, but mine is the 14v. The drill will work for hours on a charge and the saw will cut 7 or 8 2X4's in a few minutes. I have found the secret to saws is the quality of the blade. Cut a nail, replace the blade. OK, fellows, lets hear more tool time tips. Anybody got the new Binford 300 hp moto tool? grrrrrrrrrrrr. ah that Chevy whine! Posting pictures of your favorite tools gets you more points too. Joe
Other end of the spectrum Now that we have heard from the, "I got power tools group" lol. I have to add this one. Ever have to figure out how to do something on a tight budget? I had a problem with dust. Yep, dust. It was everywhere. I could not afford a simple air compressor or even a big fan. I kinda figured out I could use an empty and well cleaned old glue bottle. I have an elmirs glue bottle that I rinsed very well and use it as an aero duster. Works pretty well too, if ya ask me, spot shots as needed. How about any other 'cheap' and effective uses of everyday objects.
I really like my Japanese hand saw. It cuts on the pull stroke. It's two-sided--the side with the smaller teeth is the only one I've ever used. If I have a few cuts to make, it's the saw of choice, over a sabre saw or even the radial arm saw. They used to be quite expensive, but I found this one for about $30 ten years ago. Amazingly sharp and accurate!
Here's my accumulation: This is an old desk where I do fine works like decals, decoder installing. For working with airbrusch or soldering with my torch I work here: Wolfgang
Wolfgang, that notch (V) in your work bench is one of those inexpensive tools that John 797 was talking about. Tell us what it is for. As I have said before, I like looking at your RR pictures! Best regards, Joe
One word....Dremel. If it can't be done with Dremel, it can't be done. With this tool, a good set of hobby knives, sand paper, and paint brushes several of my empires have risen... John
The best tool that I have bought for modeling or any other use has been my Ryobi 18vt drill. I have used Dewalt, Craftsman, etc. and I have burned out the motors on them, but the Ryobi I can't kill!
Dremel Improved! Well, the old single speed dremel ac powerd , not so useful, now the new battery powered WITH the screw on 3 jaw chuck, that is the definition of better. However, the tools I use the very most are two, my Xuron track cutters and my 14V Dewalt screwdriver. The Xuron cutters are great for cutting about everything, and yes, I know it will damage them, that is why I have two pair, one for cutting track, the other for pulling track nails, cutting wire and eating donuts with. Keep the tips coming in, Tis TOOL time you know! :shade: :shade: Joe
Just don't drop the Ryobi! I've had two of them. When the battery charger on the first went dead, it was $59 for a battery charger or $99 for another drill with two more batteries and a charger. I spent the extra $40. Then I dropped the first one, and the handle snapped off the body. OK, now I had one Ryobi with four batteries. Then second battery charger died. I bought a DeWalt 18v. It's much more powerful, and withstands drops a lot better. I did an extensive remodel of my house, and learned that drops are inevitable. The Ryobi is a good value, but it's not up to everyday use.
