One of the advantages of owning a hobbyshop is to be exposed to new
tools. Since our policy has always been to try samples before stocking
them, we have been able to evaluate most of the hobby type tools available.
Needless to say many of them did not make the grade, especially those that
claimed to do everything, but did nothing well. Quite often the highly
touted tools found in most hobby shops are not the best in price or
quality.
Having the right tool for the job, can ease the most difficult
task. But unless you are wealthy, you can not have everyone on hand.
Many are not readily available in most hobbyshops and are difficult to
ferret out. Like our hobby, choosing and using tools is an art, whose
knowledge grows with experience and through feedback from other users. We
had a multitude, notably in complaints.
Although not totally inclusive, the following list should expose
many of the common and rarer types, we have tested or made, and found
useful. Along with some of the methods and examples elsewhere, the list
could serve as a guide to selection. Some uses are novel. Unfortunately,
in many cases, sources are not readily available, since some are old and
manufacturers no longer exist. With luck many can be found at flea markets,
garage sales, shows or auctions. Let your pocket book and your needs be
your guide.
NOTE: Items marked "*" are not finished.
HAND
- ANVILS____flattening, shaping
- BENDERS AND ROLLERS_____rods, strips,
bars sheets.
- CENTER PUNCHES_____layout, drill bit starting
requirements.
- CHISELS_____detailing, gouging, slotting, cutting
- CHOPPERS_____NWSL, Shay, K-tool
- CLAMPS_____screw, spring, bar, rubber band,
strap, C, corner, wedge
- COUNTERSINKS_____screw heads, truck sideframe
journals
- DRIFT PINS_____shaft drivers
- DRILL BITS_____all types
- FILES _____needle, swiss pattern, warding,
bastard, rasp, riffler, diamond
- HAMMERS_____ball peen, chasing, chipping
- JEWELERS ANVIL BLOCKS_____Hexagonal blocks
with many sized holes and slits for driving shafts, bending.
- KNIVES______small, scalpel, swivel. stencil,
utility
- NIBBLERS______for sheet sizing
- NIPPERS______diagonal, gate, sprue, end cutters
- PIN VISES_____for drilling, holding
- PLIERS____needle, chain, shaping, cutting
- PRESSES, ARBOR _____gear operated
- PRESSES, SCREW _____bar. box
- PULLERS_____gear. wheel
- PUNCHES_____sheet
- REAMERS_____tapered, sizing
- RIVETERS_____valve gear, pop
- RIVET DETAILERS_____pounce wheel, press,
table
- SANDERS_____pad, block, stick, jig
- SAWS____knife, jewelers, miter, hack
- SHARPENERS____stones, abrasives, steels, aids
- SCISSORS _____shears, snips
- TAPS AND DIES_____selection, sizing
- TWEEZERS_____all types
HOLDERS
Probably one of the most exasperating things in the hobby is trying to
find something to hold that odd-ball piece for working. Proof of this is
evident in the number of holding tools offerered over the years, including many
unsuccessful ones. Some of the more useful and odd ones are discussed.
- BENCH EXTENSIONS____for sawing, drilling,
shaping
- CRADLES____for cars, locos
- CLAMPS_____T-pins, band, spring, "C", screw, bar,
corner.
- HOLDERS for PAINTING
- MULTI-VISE QUARTERING JIG ++____versatile
- NWSL QUARTERING JIGS____various versions
- VEE BLOCK____to hold round or regular
polygon stock for drilling or milling.
- VISES____hand-held
- VISES____bench, swivel, tilt, machinist's
POWER
- DRILLPRESSES
- FLEXIBLE SHAFT TOOLS____Foredom, others
- FLY CUTTERS____plane surfaces, cut
large circles and troughs for saddles.
- LATHES____MAKE DO
- NIBBLER____faster holes
- RECIPROCATING HAND TOOLS___all
types, comparison.
- ROTARY HAND TOOLS___all types, comparison.
- ROTARY HAND TOOL BITS____Too many?
Burs, stones, sanders, saws, routers, diamond.
- SAWS GENERAL____Blades, types,
selection of.
- SINGLE END BLADE SAWS____Saber + tables
- DOUBLE END BLADESAWS____Jig, scroll
- CIRCULAR BLADE SAWS____Rotary tool,
column, table, miter chopper.
- BAND SAWS____Bench top.
- SOLDERING ____General, solder
- IRONS ____pencil, guns, clubs
- RESISTANCE ____simple, systems
- TORCHES ____micro, large
- SONIC CLEANERS____large, small
- SPRAYERS______airbrushes, guns, blasters
MEASURING AND ALIGNING
- ADJUSTABLE MACHINISTS
PARALLELS____Set car floor and coupler mount height.
- ANGLE PLATE____To hold object
square for machining, drilling.
- DEPTH GAUGES____Easily made small hole.
- DIVIDERS, CALIPERS AND
MICROMETERS____Measure and layout accurately.
- DYNAMOMETER_Fabrication. Measure
torque, RPM, current to compare and select motors or plot graphs.
- INDICES AND DIVIDERS____Setting accurate
angles.
- LAYOUT LEVELERS____Establish elevations
over the layout.
- LINES AND LEVELS____for
track, structures, joists, girders, establish grades
- METERS____Homemade, volt, ampere,
multi.
- MODIFIED COUPLER HEIGHT
GAUGE____Select mounting pad spacers more easily, also Kadee 711.
- PARALLELS____accurate spacers.
- SCALE RULES AND TAPES____Pocket, radius
- SQUARES, BEVELS AND MITERS----Dice,
machinist's, framing, adjustable.
- STEP BLOCKS AND JACKS____Raise and
level work piece or clamps.
- SURFACE GAUGE AND PLATE_____Check AND
measure rolling stock, structure levels AND heights.
- TEMPLATES, JIGS AND FIXTURES____Location,
alignment, assembly, angle, gauges, bending.
- BENDING AND DRILLING AIDS ______Grab irons
(drop), handrails, steps, piping.
- METAL ______Straight edges, gauges,
patterns.
- THUMB GAUGE____Scribe accurate lines
parallel to edge.
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