The best model railroad tool you own?

[timwatson]

Ok how about something a bit different.

If you were to give some sage advise to your fellow model railroaders on the best, most useful tool in your modeling toolbox what would it be??

I'll start off with mine. Mine isn't a typical modeling tool at all but I think it should be. My best modeling tool is my Boley watchmakers lathe. Wow I love this tool for modeling. It's small, precise, it's just got enough power to do everything I need "in the round". You can find them inexpensively on eBay. There is something really cool about working with a tool that was made in the 1920's to build steam locomotive models that we're made the same time.



The second runner up would be to buy a digital caliper. These things are priceless if you're going to do any scratch building.

Your turn. 

[ednadolski]

My optivisor, no question.

Ed

[Mark W]

Fresh xacto blades and a straight edge. 

[mark dance]

What's better than a water jet cutter in your basement?  A friend 8 blocks away with a water jet cutter in his!

I send flat part CAD files and hours later thousands come back! 

As to the ones I personally own, while the layout was under construction probably the Ryobi bandsaw with a home made trammel attachment.  Now it is in scenery/finishing probably my digital camera to find all the flaws.

md

[timwatson]

Ha I think you win Mark.
What is a bandsaw Trammel attachment?

I do have a 3d printer/Mill/3d scanner coming. I'll have both ends of the spectrum really old and really new.
http://fabtotum.com

[LV LOU]

Fresh xacto blades and a straight edge.

Beat me to it,LOL!!! Add an airbrush and scissors..I own every tool you can imagine,MIG welder,lathes,mill,presses,industrial belt sanders,table,radial & bandsaws,tubing & sheet benders,vacuum pots,compressors,ETC,but for trains,X-acto knife is #1..I actually made a few custom carbon fiber X-Acto knives from carbon arrow shafts so I'd have an ultra lite knife I could use to do super precise work for hours..

[peteski]

N and Z specific tools or general hobby tools? 

Best? I can't decide which one. I have so many tools I would not want to give up.  I guess that the Sherline mill and lathe are right at the top of the list. (BTW, I see that you retrofitted your lathe with a Sherline chuck.)    But the dissecting stereo microscope, OptiVisor, and Dremel tools are up there too. So are all the Tungsten Carbide drills I now use almost exclusively for my hobby work.  Then there is the miniature drill press and my PACE soldering/unsoldering station.  Darn! I like them all!

[up1950s]

Krazy Glue is a tool in so much as it joins things , without it I wouldn't bother bashing .

[eja]

A mill? a lathe ?

Boy, you guys our out of my price range ...........


I like my cutting mast so the wife doesn't yell about what I am doing to the table.

eja

PS:   it's all fun .....

[jagged ben]

I'd like to obtain some of the fancy tools mentioned.  But my pair of Tweezerman needle nose tweezers is the most important tool I have.  I think it gets used on EVERY project.  Not sure that applies to any other tool, or ever would.   

[VonRyan]

I'd have to say my swiss-made watchmaker's tweezers. Specifically the #5 which points as fine as a hair.

[bbussey]

... I guess that the Sherline mill and lathe are right at the top of the list...

Ditto.

[Joetrain59]

Of course, the OptiVisor, with light, and cordless soldering iron.
 Joe D

[rsn48]

I think the answer would depend on where you/I am at in the layout construction process.  For benchwork I used the B&D "navigator" saw a lot, love it more the a reciprocating saw, jig saw, circular saw, etc. 

For track work, obviously good Xuron rail cutters.

But I have a new favourite general tool, the B&D 4v Gyro rechargeable screwdriver, this tool is a game changer, you control speed and direction with your hand, no mechanical anything on it.  You move your hand a little bit one way and the speed is a little bit, move your hand the other way a little bit and the screwdriver changes direction turning a little bit, move your hand more and the speed increases.  I got mine on sale for $25 and the tool uses a lithuim battery which seems to last for ever.

http://www.lowes.ca/screwdrivers/black-amp-decker-4v-gyrotrade-rechargeable-screwdriver_10199085.html?af=3632&cse=3632&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3vyeBRDt673h5ZTYrdQBEiQAzhkf8jZMvABvezR0eHlBvjo9-sP_oFMTG0dVfTOhFMn3eQUaAjd58P8HAQ

[wcfn100]

Computer.

Jason