The best model railroad tool you own?

[LV LOU]

 Here's another project..A foam hot wire table saw..I also have an old Dremel self powered hand scroll saw..Looks like a regular scroll saw,but it has a little vibrating magnetic motor on it that powers the blade..Really cool for working on foam..

[peteski]

Here's one I use quit a bit,a mini tablesaw I scratchbuilt..Actually,this is an old pic.Now,it has an extension piece on the left side and the front,so the table is bigger.The way it is in the pic,it's about 9' X 8'.Right now,it also has a custom base that has 24 batteries built into it for power,totally self contained,and it has a custom built vacuum system to suck up the dust..I even made the vacuum out of a baby formula container,LOL!!

Sweet!  Funny, something similar is on my to-do list.  My version will be powered by a Dremel with a flex shaft.  I own the Micro-Mark miniature table saw, but I need something even smaller for some of my projects.

[jimmo]

My hands

+1. Also eyes. Computer. Exacto knife with no. 11 blades. Nothing gets started without these tools.

[DKS]

Speaking of being a tool whore...

Flush cutters:


Pliers:


Knives:


Tweezers:


Files:


Pin vices & drill bits:


Rulers, squares and calipers:


That just scratches the surface...

[Chris333]

I have a lathe and a mini mill, but rarely use them unless I'm scratchbuilding a chassis or something like that. And it isn't the best lathe or the best mill either. I just bought my first ever pair of Xuron cutters and they cut rail much better than the electronic store cutters I've been using. Still from the sounds of it they aren't the best you can get.

I have some nice stainless 00-90 taps that cut easy with just turning the bit with my fingers. So maybe those are the best taps I have seen.

As for most used, it would have to be a knife of some sort. Either Xacto or Dremel (hey cut off wheel is a knife?) I keep like 6 handles working and when I need a fresh blade I pick the dullest and swap it.

[timwatson]

This is great stuff. Lou I'd love to know more about this miniature vacuum and I'm digging the tablesaw.
Sounds like carbide drills and a new flush cutter are in my future (these are the tips I was hoping to hear). As always you all don't disappoint.

[timwatson]

I have some nice stainless 00-90 taps that cut easy with just turning the bit with my fingers. So maybe those are the best taps I have seen.

I need some good taps Chris mine are kind of junky. Who made yours or where did you get them.

[Chris333]

I need some good taps Chris mine are kind of junky. Who made yours or where did you get them.

Mine are made by Regal and I found a 10 or 12 pack of them on e-bay for very cheap. They look just like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-90-H2-Thread-Forming-Bottoming-ANSI-CNC-Tap-HSSE-V3-Vanadium-3-YG-1-ZFM52-/151352497151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233d4fd3ff#ht_883wt_1124

The ones from Walther's and Microtrains seemed soft and I've broke a few in thick brass.

[peteski]

Sounds like carbide drills and a new flush cutter are in my future (these are the tips I was hoping to hear). As always you all don't disappoint.

Just a word of warning.  The TC bits cut through pretty much any hobby material (from Delrin to stainless steel) like through the proverbial butter, they are very fragile.  They are best used in a (mini) drill press.  But I also often use them either in a Dremel or simply frill by hand (they all conveniently have 1/8" shanks).  I also resigned myself to the fact that they will break, so I have lots of spares.  I almost never use high-speed steel bits anymore.

[DKS]

This is great stuff. Lou I'd love to know more about this miniature vacuum and I'm digging the tablesaw.
Sounds like carbide drills and a new flush cutter are in my future (these are the tips I was hoping to hear). As always you all don't disappoint.

Just a word of warning.  The TC bits cut through pretty much any hobby material (from Delrin to stainless steel) like through the proverbial butter, they are very fragile.  They are best used in a (mini) drill press.  But I also often use them either in a Dremel or simply frill by hand (they all conveniently have 1/8" shanks).  I also resigned myself to the fact that they will break, so I have lots of spares.  I almost never use high-speed steel bits anymore.

This.

I mostly "frill" by hand, as it's less annoying to break a bit once in a while than it is to try and position a crazily-shaped part or model in a drill press. They're pretty cheap, and I just buy 'em in 5- and 10-packs.

But I also still use steel bits quite a lot.

As for flush cutters, once you get a good pair, you'll find yourself using them more and more. In addition to rail, I use them to cut just about any kind of strip or rod stock (anything except steel), etched metal frets, plastic parts sprues, the list goes on. They cut so cleanly that most times I don't need to dress the cut area.

[timwatson]

Do  you have a recommendation Pete (or David - I noticed you had some too) on which to buy?

[DKS]

I'd start with one of these: http://www.micromark.com/Flush-Cut-Rail-Nipper,7041.html

They're well made. Not as versatile as the smaller ones like the Xurons, but they're more accurate and durable. And they're not so expensive that you feel like you need to guard them with your life. I have three pairs which I've bought over the years and are in different conditions, so I'll use the oldest pair for the tough jobs where they might get nicked, and keep the newer ones for more precise work.

[timwatson]

Thanks, that's perfect David. Would you recommend the drill bits you have in the pics above?

[timwatson]

By the way you homemade tool guys - you need to write some of this stuff up and post how to's.

[DKS]

Yes, I think several Railwire members use Drill Bit City.