A Hobby within a Hobby
My fascination with tools probably started off where alot of peoples' tool fascinations started with - Dad's stuff. My father was (still is) involved in electronic circuitry, design and consulting. So, needless to say, his tool stash is extensive, so much so that the tools, much to my mother's dismay (probably my wife's as well), can be found in any given spot in and around the house. This wasn't always his fault, after all, for his son had discovered just how cool all these tools were. In fact, I've found that this trait can spread to future generations (and genders) as well - our daughter Morgan was able to completely disassemble both locksets in her bedroom at the tender age of 5 years old using nothing but a #2 Phillips. I found it real hard to punish her - after all, when I was five I managed to disassemble my Father's antique radio that he was given as a kid using nothing but a pair of wire cutters. My butt-whipping was WAY bigger. Nonetheless, My Dad took the time to show me the value of tools, how the different ones worked and how to take care of them.
So, 30+ years later, I've got a pretty good stash of my own built up and it will continue to grow. As a carpenter, a woodturner, a homebrewer, a businessman and a railroad modeler, I've got a variety of good quality tools for each job/task. As far as modeling tools go, it's become quite the hobby within a hobby for me.
Here's the rundown of what works for me. Beginers, take note.
Cutting
* The good ol' "x-acto" knife handle/blades.
I keep two handles loaded with #11 blades and one handle with a chisel blade. I have plenty of extra blades for both. I also grind some of the chisel blades to different widths for detail removal and for grooving and scraping.
* Razor saws and handle.
Over time, I've collected several saws. Used for cutting up shells, cutting grooves. The X-acto miter box comes in handy, too.
* Surgeons' scalpel and #11-style blades.
I use the scalpel for fine cutting and carving. Use extreme caution while using these.
* NWSL's Chopper II.
I picked up this tool a while back from Jim's Junction. A truely marvelous tool when you need to make multiple, square cuts.
* Single edge razor blades.
I buy these in packs of 100. I probably use these most often for general cutting than anything else. Once again, use caution.
* Hot knife.
Used for rough cutting shells for door panels and other large quantities of detail, for cutting sprues for filler plugs. can also be used to create very convincing dents and gouges on the sides of beat up rolling stock models.
* Scissors.
I have two pair: A real beat up pair of standard size Fiscars for cutting brass screen and mesh and a small fine tipped pair for cutting decals, .010" plastic rod, etc.
* Saws.
One jewelers saw for very fine cuts and a hacksaw for cutting frames.
Filing, Drilling, Contouring, Scribing and Surfacing
* Files
I have a large variety and I try to keep separate sets for both plastic and metal work: Several sizes and cuts of Mill Bastard, many different varieties of needle files.
* Sanding sticks.
I make my own from 1/4" X 1/4" sticks with the ends rounded. I'll cut a 1/4" strip of the appropriate grit that I need and hold them in place with small rubber bands.
* Glass slides.
These work great for scraping surfaces flat and true.
* Reamers.
Obviously used for making smaller holes larger. I have a set of 6 micro reamers from Micromark as well as some larger ones used to remove fans from locomotive shells.
* Drill Bits.
I stock bits from 1/2" down to #80. In fact, I try to keep plenty of the smaller sizes on hand due to frequent breakage.
* Pin Vises.
I have half a dozen of these for different bit sizes. They also work well for holding thread taps.
* Sandpaper and film.
I use everything from 80 grit down to 1500 grit - wet and/or dry.
* Dental Picks.
Easy the Plumber (long story for another time...) passed along about a dozen of these to me awhile back. They work on everything from scoring sheet styrene, scribing wood grain, gouging beat-up rolling stock and carving plaster for scenery.
* Other Picks and Scribes.
I have two hardened steel scribes made by Eric (Easy) that work well for scribing brass. I also have a small set of Popular Mechanics brand Picks/Scribes. tammy gave these to me a while back as stocking stuffers one Christmas, I've found many uses for them.
* Whetstones.
Although most of my blades are disposable, I use stones for putting edges on the custom ground chisels.
Cutters/Pliers
Right now, I have 4 pair of each for cutting everything from fine soft brass and copper wire to large pliers for opening paint jars.
* Sprue cutters.
I have one pair and will be buying more. Very handy for doing what they do best - cutting parts from plastic sprue.
Measuring/Squares
* Rulers.
I have a dozen. Primarily, I use a small General 6" stainless steel rule marked in 1/64" increments and a Mascot 1/87 stainless steel scale rule.
* Triangles.
Two 5" 45-45-90's, two 30-60-90's, an 8" 45 to 90 degree variable, 3 machinists squares (3, 4 and 5" - Micromark's set) and a wide range of scratchbuilt brass and styrene triangle and t-squares built over the years for various projects.
* Calipers.
One dial caliper and my brand new digital one - the digital one is a blast to use. Much easier on the eyes as well.
Misc. Useful Stuff.
* Hammer.
I have this little jeweler's style hammer that, once again, the infamous Easy built out of a piece of a hydraulic piston. It's a very well balanced tool, and I've used it on everything from forming brass parts to wrapping on my forehead while looking for a good solution to a problem at the bench.
Power Tools.
* Dremel.
The model 395-5 that I own is probably 20+ years old. It's variable speed and probably the quietest Dremel alive. I'm cosidering buying another Dremel however, probably a Multipro, in case the other decides to give up the ghost. I have the drill press and router attachments, although I haven't used the router that much. I'll probably purchase a good, small drill press soon, seeing that most of the drilling I do is on frames or brass, something that the Dremel really isn't meant to do alot of. I use lots of cutoff wheels amd several small routing bits as well. Eric gave me a small box full of used dental bits that work remarkably well for removing different ammounts of plastic.
* Black & Decker 3.6V Cordless Screwdriver.
I picked this up at Walmart. It's the one with the adjustable handle. Its primary use is drilling holes in styrene. I picked up both the Mini and Micro chucks from Micromark and can now drill holes in autorack panels in half the time it took with a pin vise.
* Soldering Station.
Mine is from Radio Shack. Switchable from 15 watts to 30 watts.
Painting/Finishing
* Airbrushes.
This topic required a separate page for the rundown. Click here for more.
* Brushes.
A wide variety, indeed. Dust brushes, weathering brushes for pastels and chalk, solvent brushes for cleaning and degreasing locomotive drives, a couple brushes for applying plastic cement, and yes, paint brushes as well.
Tool Storage
This has been a progression. I started off with a little yellow Plano tackle box, used it for about five years, then bought a bigger Plano tackle box and used it for another 10. I now have two large Plano tackle "chests" which, in combination with the second Plano box, holds the bulk of my tools. I'm considering a third chest, because I keep digging up/buying more tools. We'll see.
I intend to add more tools and techniques shortly. If you're a beginer, by all means, don't buy all the tools you think you'll need at once. I detailed my first loco with razor blades, a few needle files, sandpaper and a pin vise and bits. The accumulation of the above stuff easily spans around 20 years. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.