The best model railroad tool you own?

[DKS]

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?

"Most useful" I take as an indication of what gets used the most, and "best" might be something akin to what brand/model. I have a nice fancy lathe and mill, drill press, micro-table saw, ALPS printer, and a good long list of other envy-inducing toys to boast about (including a laser and a pad printer). But while they are all useful to varying degrees, they're hardly the most useful; indeed, the vast majority of them are never touched for the bulk of the scratchbuilding projects (both personal and commercial) that I've done.

The tools I actually use the most by a very wide margin are all terribly ordinary, mundane hand tools. At the top of the list would have to be an X-Acto knife. More than just for cutting, it scores, scrapes, shapes, smooths, reams, bores and even drills almost anything except perhaps hard steel or tungsten; plus, it acts like a tweezers: just lightly touch the tip to a tiny part to pick it up and position it. I buy blades in bulk packs--not the 100s, but the 500s. When I clean my workbench, I'll put everything away except the knife, because there will be a 99% chance I'll use it again, and I have a whole slew of handles sitting around the workshop to ensure I'll have one handy at any given time. I can't think of any other tool I consistently use as much--indeed, I would feel almost crippled not having one.

[peteski]

The tools I actually use the most by a very wide margin are all terribly ordinary, mundane hand tools. At the top of the list would have to be an X-Acto knife. More than just for cutting, it scores, scrapes, shapes, smooths, reams, bores and even drills anything except perhaps hard steel or tungsten; plus, it acts like a tweezers: just lightly touch the tip to a tiny part to pick it up and position it. I buy blades in bulk packs--not the 100s, but the 500s. I can't think of any other tool I consistently use as much. When I clean my workbench, I'll put everything away except the knife, because there will be a 99% chance I'll use it again, and I have a whole slew of handles sitting around the workshop to ensure I'll have one handy at any given time.

How true!  I sometimes even use the dull tip of the X-acto knife as a cutting tool on my lathe!

I always preferred the X-acto brand #11 blades over other brand or generic blades. X-acto blades were slightly narrower (height-wise) than others, and the taper on the end which is held in the handle fit perfectly in the handle. DKS, have you noticed that few years back the X-acto blades started to look like the other brands?  They are now wider and the tapered end does not fit the handle as well.  They basically have the same shape as other brand blades. Because the blase is wider, the base of the blade's edge now extends under the handle - when I hold the handle very close to the blade, my finger often ends up resting right over the blade's edge.

[robert3985]

I agree with DKS about the hobby knife.  Although I use my X-acto knives (w/#11 blades) quite often, when I get serious, I use a scalpel with surgical #11 blades...which are so sharp they scare me.

Like a lot of modelers here, I've collected an assortment of regular and esoteric tools such as a mill, a lathe, saws, investment casting equipment and other stuff.

However, the tool that brings the biggest smile to my face when I'm using it is my 250W resistance soldering station.  I guess this is because I do a lot of metal fabrication.

On the other end of the model railroading spectrum are the tools I use to construct my benchwork.  I especially like my 12" DeWalt Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw.  Makes for very precise, repeatable and quick construction. Since my layout is modular/sectional and continues to grow, benchwork is something that is a continuing operation for me.

The right tools for the job bring me a lot of pleasure.

[mmagliaro]

The question was,
"... most useful tool in your modeling toolbox what would it be ? "

I would never put my milling machine, or a lathe, or even a Dremel at the top of that list.
No. 
If you took all those things away from me, I could still build engines and models.

Xacto knives, sharp jewelers files, a VOM, an Optivisor (good call!), and a pin vise.
Those are the most useful things in my toolbox.

In fact, this is making me ponder a "modeling challenge", where the charge is that everybody
makes the same scratchbuilt model of something, using ONLY a specified, limited list of
hand tools.  I'm not sure what the model should be.  It sounds like  "model railroading on a desert island".

[VonRyan]

Normally I use the #11 blade's big brother, the #2. Same profile, just larger, and requires a #2 handle.
I got a bunch in some industrial surplus I bought, and I certainly wasn't about to waste them.

[DKS]

Peteski: Yes, I have noticed the changes over the years (started using them in 1965). Currently I use their new Z-Series blades.

Robert: I also have a scalpel and surgical blades, but so far I think I've used them maybe twice.

[pjm20]

My most used and favorite is my teenie tiny RC airplane screwdrivers; best tool in the arsenal for dealing with N Scale screws!

[jpwisc]

I can think of so many tools I would be hapless without. My needle nose tweezers. There is no compromising on a good set of tweezers. Lift rings would be a bugger to install without them!

[mark dance]

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

wow...the FABtotum looks very cool!   The specs seem unbelievable at that price point and functionality.

The "trammel" was an extension I made using a saw horse which attached to the 10" Ryobi bandsaw.  By using a 1/2" drill bit as pivot I could accurately cut very large radii on it which was perfect not only for roadbed but also for curved benchwork like the hardwood runner guides on the swing gates.

thx for asking!

md

[Philip H]

my needlepoint cross-tip locking tweezers:

[Chris333]

My hands

[sizemore]

My hands

Oh look at you getting all hip and fancy with it. Preach on brotha.


The S.

[LV LOU]

Peteski: Yes, I have noticed the changes over the years (started using them in 1965). Currently I use their new Z-Series blades.

Robert: I also have a scalpel and surgical blades, but so far I think I've used them maybe twice.

Not even sure if they make them anymore,but I bought a pile a while ago.THE best blades I've seen are Testor's Modelmaster blades..Absolutely RAZOR sharp,you actually have to be careful with them.I only use them for projects where I need  really fine,thin shaving cuts.Also,A while back,I bought a bunch of cheap knives to just keep around.I'm always looking for a knife at my shop,and I work in several places at my house,cellar,train room,patio,garage,I go nuts looking for a knife.They came with blades that are different from a #11.The tip is cut back so it's at maybe a 45 degree angle..I found these blades were way better than the really pointy X-acto tips.They were stronger,so,they don't flex,you can make heavier,more controlled cuts without the tip flexing..The nice thing about this,when the tip gets destroyed on a blade,I save them,then when I get a few,I cut them back with a bench grinder,and put them in a different knife,they become new blades.I have several handles that are painted different colors on my actual "workbench",a table on my glassed in back porch.

[Kisatchie]

Add me to the X-Acto knife crowd. Since I mostly assemble Micro-Trains couplers lately, the knife comes in handy in cutting the coupler shanks off the sprues, then picking up the coupler springs.

My second most used tool is a tiny jewelers' screwdriver, used to attach the newly assembled couplers to freight cars. I lead a dull life.


Hmm... my most-used
tool is my alarm clock.
Without it, I'd sleep all
day long...

[timwatson]

Perhaps the question should be appended to by adding favorite to the list and adding an OR modifier between them. It's intent was open ended and not necessarily verbose. It might be better to say: best OR most useful OR favorite (each to be defined however you wish).

The sole purpose of the thread was to get those unique tools others may not know about or even have considered out there. For instance I never knew about tungsten carbide miniature drill bits - I hate breaking tiny drill bits. By sharing my lathe I was hoping to do the same thing. The lathe cost me $150 bucks. Its been worth every penny and much less costly than other lathes.

In fact, this is making me ponder a "modeling challenge", where the charge is that everybody
makes the same scratchbuilt model of something, using ONLY a specified, limited list of
hand tools.  I'm not sure what the model should be.  It sounds like  "model railroading on a desert island".

I'd totally participate Max. I'd love more specific build threads on TRW. I think RRLINE excels at these but they are always HO and O and as we know N has different challanges. I enjoyed the Middlesex Mfg. Thread.

Mark I'll let you know on the printer miller scanner. End of August is the delivery date.

I'm loving the different modeling approaches keep 'em coming.