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Tools Articles

'S' Lore

Using superglue.

1-2-3 Blocks

How to use a 1" x 2" x 3" metal block used by machinists to hold up parts for assembly.

16 Cool Tools

Description of 16 tools needed to do scratchbuilding.

3D Printing Part Design and Printing For O Scale Projects

The author reviews what it takes to do 3D-printing.

3D Printing... My Experience

The author continues to describe his experiences with using the AnyCubic Photon S 3D-printer.

3D Printing: Removing Printed Parts

This installment covers how to remove the part from the printer, and what to do with that part when it is removed.

A Basic Tool Kit

Sprue cutter, cutting mat, miter box, bench cradle, and other tools that should be part of a model railroader's toolbox.

A Better Way of Measuring

Using calipers to accurately measure parts and scale drawings when scratchbuilding.

A Deluxe Spray Paint Booth

The author describes how he built his spray booth big enough to accommodate O-scale equipment.

A Low Cost Milling Machine

The author describes how he converted his standard drill press into a pseudo milling machine, which might be good for the brief, occasional use.

A New Tool Gets Me Off My Duff

Sprue cutter

A Paint Mixer for the Workbench

Using a BBQ rotisserie motor, the author built this device to rotate the paint bottles. This keeps the paint in good condition and always ready for him to use.

A Painting Holder

The author shows how he built an expanding clamp that holds the interior of a shell, so that it can be held comfortably while painting the model.

A Portable Locomotive Wheel Cleaning Jig

An easy-to-build tool for cleaning wheels while at a show. Includes step-by-step construction photos.

A Portable Workbench

A short article describing a condensed, but useful workbench.

A Porter's Step Stool for the Layout

Building a classic passenger car porter's step stool that is used during layout construction or for when smaller visitors want to see the layout.

A Simple Spin-casting Machine

The author describes how he built his own spin-casting machine. Includes photos.

A Structure Measuring Kit

This handy fold-up kit can be used when going out and measuring a prototype building.

ABC's of Cutting Threads

This article describes tap sizes and specifications, drills, trap wrenches, how to tap a hole, lubricants, how to deal with tap breakage, and dies. Includes lots of photos.

Add LEDs to Your Workbench Magnifier

Attach key-chain LEDs to the sides of your Optivisor-type magnifiers.

Adhesives and Chemistry

Bob covers several glues, but the majority of the article is about how he makes his own stains.

An Identity Crisis

The author describes how he electronically modified a standard PRR logo to create a friend's freelanced railroad's logo.

Anne's Paint Caddy

Building a paint caddy that holds paint bottles and brushes.

Attachment and Adhesives

This article quickly covers some of the standard glues modelers use, and some others not often needed, and several tips on holding things together while the glue dries.

Backshop Solutions

A beginner's tale on soldering a brass kit.

Backshop Solutions

Building a solid-wood modeling bench. He also covers two Modern Era O Scale kits under development.

Badger Airbrush Spray Booth

Upgrading the spray booth with an easy-to-remove furnace filter, rather than the manufacturer's suggestion of duct-taping the filter in place.

Baking Soda and Fast-Setting Superglue

Mixing these two materials makes for a very strong bond, and can be used as a filler.

Become a Master Riveter with a Mini Reviter

The author shows how he built a tool to punch rivets in brass.

Beginner's Tool Kit

Collection of tools that you need to have to be able to start model railroading, kit building, and have reliable running of engines and freight cars.

Bending Jig for Grabirons

A simple jig for forming grabirons of different widths.

Build a Ground Foam Applicator

The author describes how Bob Hensler built a scenery duster by connecting two rubber tubes to a lid of a jar that contains the ground foam. Blowing in one tube allows the other tube to direct the placement of the ground foam, including in difficult-to-reach areas and vertical spaces.

Build a Handy "Moto-Lock"

Shows how to create a brass piece to attach to the Flex-Shaft of Dremel's Moto-Tool rotary power tools to make it easy to change collets.

Build a Portable H0/H0n3 Dynamometer

The author describes a board with track on it used to construct a dynamometer using an Ohaus Dial-type spring scale.

Build a Portable Workbench

The author describes how we built a portable work table that comes apart easily for doing modeling work when traveling or in the backyard.

Build a Tool Cart

A folding two-wheeled appliance cart was converted into a mobile tool cart by attaching a custom-made tray for tool storage.

Build This Handy Sorting Tray to Handle Small Parts

Jim built a small tray that has a PVC pipe on one end to allow small parts to be sorted in the tray, and the easily be poured back into a container.

Build Your Own Sandblast System

The author describes the purpose of a sandblast system and then gets into how he built his own. Includes the construction of the box as well as the blasting tool itself. The types of material with which to do the blasting is also covered.

Building a "Vertical Roundhouse"

Using or building various cabinets to store unused engines and rolling stock.

Building a Coupler Pocket Height Gage

This gauge ("gage" is misspelled in the article; it should be "gauge") allows you to determine precisely how much of a shim is needed to get the coupler just right.

Building a Grade Setting Gadget

By attaching a piece of material to a straight-edge, the author describes a tool for checking the grade when constructing subroadbed and track.

Building a Sandblasting Booth

The author shows how he built his plastic-bin sandblasting booth, and the equipment he uses to actually do the sandblasting.

Building a Spray Paint Booth

This brief article covers the construction of a simple wooden box with some shelves and a 30" range hood for ventilation to the outside.

Building a Surface Plate

This tool is composed of three pieces of styrene that provide for the ability to perform quality control services on our models, including checking overall height, checking coupler position, checking carbody lean, or accurately placing decals or engine parts.

Calculating Scale Speed

Although the author models in HO-scale, this article shows how to calculate your train's speed, in both HO- and S-scale.

Casting Parts in Polyester Resin

Using the Chicago "L" as an example, the author describes how he learned how to make his own parts to build a long stretch of this bridge.

Comfortable File Handles

This Workshop column covers using wire nuts at the end of files that have no handle, and using paper clip containers (those with a magnetic lip near their opening) for holding spikes.

Constructing a Simple Spray Booth

Using an old record player, the author builds a spray booth that is useful for those who spray with acrylic paints (solvent-based paints will require a different blower type).

Corrugated Metal Cutting Jig

This brief article describes how to build the jig shown in the drawings.

Cyanopoxy

Molecular bonder glue.

Decal Application Jig

Building a wooden box upon which measuring tools can be laid so as to aid in making sure that decals are application straight across a car or engine.

Deluxe Cutting Board

The author describes how he built a portable board that contains slots for common modeling tools and the center is a rotating board to make it easy to draw or cut items. Includes several of photos of the board in use and under construction.

Despruing Nippers

PBL product review.

Drawing for 3D Models

Issues and tips for when designing 3D models for parts.

Drawing for 3D Models

Issues and considerations that the author has learned over the years in creating CAD designs for use with lasercutters or 3D-printing. Several example parts are described in how they have resolve reality with the ideal design.

Drilling and Tapping

Basics on how to drill and tap a hole.

Duplicutter to Dupligluer

The author shows how he adapted the NorthWest Short Line Duplicutter to simplify gluing repetitive parts that need to be properly spaced.

Easy Decal Alignment Jig

An easy-to-make jig that helps accurately align decals, especially individual letters and striping. The secret is in the parallel lines scribed onto a Plexiglass panel.

Electronic Notepads for Model Railroaders

Using Palm PDA's to maintain your collection.

Ex-press Rivets

Using a drill press, the author creates rivets in styrene without going through the expense of purchasing a dedicated rivet puncher. He talks about using this press to create rivets for a PRR flat car on his web site at: http://home.earthlink.net/~mmr346/mmr-cars/mmr-cars1.htm

Fixtures & Molds

How to use some common household items as forms for that poured-concrete look.

From the Observation Lounge

The author recommends using the digital camera to study and find error and problems on your layout. He also recaps what happened in S modeling in 2011.

From the Observation Lounge

Tips learned about using tools in our hobby.

Get a Good Grip on Your Modeling

Jim reviews the tools necessary for cutting, gripping, and bending.

Get On Track With This Handy Rerailer

Using two pieces of styrene and a spare section of flextrack, the author builds a permanent re-railer for his hard-to-reach stagging yard.

Guess Your Height and Weight?

Using a workbench board, the article describes how to quickly determine what a car show weigh according to NMRA standards. Adding a Kadee coupler can be used to check the car's coupler height and a wheel gauge can be used to check the wheels.

Handling Small Parts

Using a toothpick and double-sided tape to make a small parts pick-up tool.

Helpful Tools Not Found in a Store

The author shares some of the tools he has made to help him with his modeling efforts. These include a figure holder, and solid base for preventing liquid-holding items from tipping over.

Hobby Chop Saw

The author describes how he built a desktop hobby chop saw using the NWSL Chopper III and an electric cut-off saw.

Home-Made Foam Cutting Tool

Using a Weller 200W soldering iron to convert it into a foam cutter.

Homemade Brush Locker

A brief tip on how to make your own brush holder using a glass jar, a piece of padding foam, and a plastic cup.

How I Designed And Built My Dream Workshop

The author described how he planned and later on was able to build his dream workshop to be able to just about do any work necessary for model railroading.

Humidors and "Fumidors"

The never-ending quest for preserving paints and glues is discussed with the author providing the solutions he has found, including storing paints in a unused dishwasher machine.

Improving the Badger Paint Stirrer

The author shares how removing one of the batteries slows down the motor of the tool to make it operate better.

Introduction to Resin Casting

All the information you need to start making your own casts.

Jigs and Fixtures

The author describes his experience building jigs for trestle bents for his On30 layout.

LaserKnife-Laser Cutter

Using the Micro-Mark LaserKnife 2525 laser-cutting machine and CorelDRAW, the author creates a laser-cut kit for himself of a simple "shotgun" house.

Logistics

The author shares his ideas on keeping your supplies stocked-up and organized. Several ideas are shared, as well as an overall photo of his layout.

Made for Television

Bob describes how he built and uses a lap tray for doing some light modeling work while watching television.

Make A Clean Sweep of Dusting Your Locomotives

Tips on using various paint brushes to wipe off dust from your models.

Make Night-time Switching Simple

Glue a wooden skewer to an LED flashlight to light up the area between two cars for easy uncoupling.

Make Your Own Rerailer

The author shows how he built his own re-railer, since none are commercially available for S-scale equipment.

Making a Gradient Tool

Using a couple of pieces and a level, the author describes how he made a tool that quickly indicated the gradient of a section of benchwork, which will help in making sure that the sub-roadbed meets the designed gradient.

Making Low-cost Scale Drawings for Your Scale

The author describes how to take a scale drawing in any scale and make copies of it, using a copier machine, to the scale in which you are modeling. Includes a scale conversion chart.

Metal Working V

This installment (the last one) covers a basic milling machine and how to work with it.

Mirror Magic

The author placed two mirrors at a 90-degree angle from each other to make a mirror image of the road he modeled, but in such a way that the cars in the mirror image are actually placed on the correct side of the street.

Modeler's Survey of Glues Part 1

The author covers white glue, Roket Card Glue, Cyanoacrylate (super glue), flexible rubberized superglue, plastic glue, MEK and MEK substitute, Tenax7R and its replacements, and epoxy.

Modeler's Survey of Glues Part 3

This is an update to the author's previous two articles from last year, in which he covers Aleene's Tacky Glue, The Ultimate from Crafter's Pick, Aleene's wood glues, new superglues, and the newest hot glue by Gorilla.

Modeling Techniques

Using a U-shaped foam cradle to hold the model while working on it. Using styrene strips to fill gaps.

Modifying the North West Short Line Riveter

In this article the author describes how adding a moveable fence gives a valuable tool more uses.

More on Fixtures

Several different jigs are described, e.g. flat car stake pockets drilling jig.

More On Small Stuff

Bob covers how patience and self-discipline will eventually lead to the results you ultimately want. Organizing your tools helps you spend more time working on the models instead of finding tools. Keeping the workbench clean and organized helps prevent accidents. Also covered are some specific tools for simulating wood grain, and staining wood.

More Tricks

Bob shares his thoughts for a good work bench setup, including some interesting and useful tools.

More Workbench Ideas

The author describes the tool carousel he built to keep his modeling tools nearby without taking up a lot of desk space.

My Favorite Glues

This is a primer on available glues and which to use where.

Organization and Storage

The author discusses how he organizes tools, parts, and scratchbuilding supplies.

Painless Rivets

The author describes his method for using a sewing machine to generate rivets in styrene sheets.

Pinning... The Art of Holding Things Together

The author describes how he uses pins to reinforce a coupler mounting, brake details, steps, and roofwalk end supports.

Portable BoosterBox Construction

The author designed a BoosterBox to minimize freemo modules' setup time with easily accessible connections. Housed in a toolbox, it contains a Digitrax booster, Digitrax power supply, cooling fan, and the necessary connections. Includes instructions, photos, and cutting diagrams. Includes a side-bar on how free-mo changed their plug standard from Cinch-Jones plugs (discontinued) to Anderson power pole connectors. The side-bar shows how to make a conversion cable.

Railroad Lubrication

The author describes various things that layout owners must lubricate for good operations of equipment.

Really Obvious Tips

This article describes how to make detachable custom castings.

Really Obvious Tips

Using a lazy susan as modeling platform for building and detailing structures and dioramas.

Resistance Soldering

The article covers the benefits of using a resistance unit for soldering, and describes the system marketed by Contact, Inc.

Rivet Maker - Using the Dremel

A simple project to make an affordable rivet press.

Riveting Plate

The author describes the method he uses to create rivets in a row that doesn't stretch the material too much. The focus of the article is rivets for steam locomotive tenders.

Riveting Pliers

The author presents the idea of converting a pair of pliers to create rivets. The article has photos by the editor showing how he implemented the author's idea.

Rix Uncoupler Tool

Improving the Rix uncoupler tool by making one end into a manual turnout thrower. The article also shows how the tool can be inserted into the layout (where it is needed) as look like a smoke stack.

Roofwalk Support Shaping Jig

Roofwalk supports are the wedge-shaped supports straddling the centerline of the boxcar roof to provide a level platform for the roofwalk planks. This article contains diagrams of the author's method for building these angled styrene pieces consistently.

Route to the Redwoods Part 70

The author talks about all the various tools he uses to build his layout.

Safety in Painting

Spray booth design, dealing with possible fire and explosion, and respirators.

Sand Box Support for Rubber Molds

They idea of "sand casting" is not new. The concept is to place a mold in a contain loaded with sand so that the mold stays upright while the casting sets.

Sandbags, Frogs, and Jaws

Making small cloth bags filled with lead shot are great tools for clamping parts down (e.g. roofs) that are oddly-shaped and thus hard to clamp with conventional clamps. "Frogs" are weights that put all their pressure on a small tube at the end, which are great for holding down smaller parts. A "jaw" is a deep clamp to hold pressure on parts (two metal strips with a turnbuckle to provide the custom clamping pressure). Includes photos of each device and instructions on how to make them.

Scale Rules

Model railroad scale rules, architect's scale.

Scratch Building with a Cricut Cutting Machine

The author builds the Daisy Cove milk station using this cutting tool. Includes instructions, diagrams, and step-by-step photos.

Scratchbuilders Need the Right Power Tools

The author lists a number of tools he highly recommends to those who wish to build their own models.

Short and Easy

Bill Daiker sent in a note about how to convert the Rix HO-scale coupler into one that can be use with the typical S-scale couplers.

Simple Drill Holder for Layout Construction

Using a 45-degree PVC pipe to hold a second drill.

Simple Punches for Modelers

This one-page article describes how the author made some punches from a nail.

Small Tools for Small Models

Small benchtop tools for drilling, grinding, sanding, sawing, filing, holding, turning, and milling.

So Here's What I Do

Using lead shot to weigh down locomotives for better traction, and how to determine what is sufficient and what is too much.

So Here's What I Do...

The author uses lead shot to weigh down his engines to be properly balanced. He does not add weight to cars, and explains why.

So This Is What I Do...

The author describe how he glues similar and dissimilar materials together.

Soldering

The basics of how to solder wire, and how to clean the soldering iron.

Some Dental Instruments That You Can Use in Model Railroading

The author is both a dentist and a modeler, and he describes several tools he himself uses in his modeling work.

Some Riveting Experiences

Using certain tools to form rivets into brass and plastic.

Speaking of Tools

The author covers his family heritage with regard to woodworking, discusses how to buy tools (don't buy cheap, for example), buying multiples of the same tools (and which ones), and how to modify tools.

Stairway-making Made Easier with a Jig

How to make a jig for making stairs. Includes construction photos.

Storage, Again

Bob describes using every nook and cranny in your modeling space for extra storage. He uses his tubes of long stripwood, locomotive repair cradle, and paint bottle carousel as examples.

Techniques Tools an Occasional Tips

The author shares the tools and techniques he uses for building his models.

The ABC's of Drilling

This article covers drill bits, how to sharpen them, using drilling equipment, thoughts about drilling speeds, holding the work, and finally the actual act of drilling and lubrication.

The Ah-hah Moment

The author shares his method for storing on-going projects' parts in boxes made from sheets of foam core presentation board from the local arts and crafts store. The parts all fit in the boxes, and he can label each, and then stack them to take up less space on the workbench.

The Ah-hah Moment

How to use fiber scratch brush pens.

The Ah-hah Moment

The author describes Nano Oil.

The Ah-hah Moment

Blowing out dust from areas can be accomplished with canned air, but the author has bought a powered unit that does the same thing without having to keep buy the cans.

The Ah-hah Moment

Superglue hacks.

The Basics of Metal Etching

This article expands on the first article of this issue, because the author needed to learn and experiment with metal etching. He shows how he went about it, and lists the tools he used.

The Closet Modeller

The author moved to a new home, and he describes how he uses a closet to be his workbench space, which can be closed off, so the clutter is not readily visible. Includes photos.

The Helper Engine

With the upcoming winter months (the article was written in September 2015), the author reviews the state of his tools and supplies, to see if anything needs to be renewed, refreshed, or replaced to work on his kits.

The Hole Thing

What tools are best for drilling holes in models?

The Lost Art of Soldering

Using an etched-brass kit of a New York Central four-track signal bridge, the author shows his steps for soldering brass.

The McDoakes Cart Storage System

A simple wheeled cart for moving things out of and under the layout's benchwork.

The Model Railroader's Workshop Part 2

The author describes his workbench, taps and dies, cleaning materials, high-heat soldering equipment, airbrushes, specialized tools, bench-top power tools, and handheld power tools.

The Paint Shop Spray Booth

Complete plans for building your own spray booth from galvanized steel, with construction photos, including ductwork and electrical wiring.

The Paper Punch Filling in with Blanks

Using a paper punch to create paper discs that are then used to model bearing caps, inspection covers, manhole covers, tubing couplers, tubing brackets, pulleys, and several other ideas.

The Roundhouse

The author describes his experience using different types of glues.

The Tool Shed

The author covers digital calipers.

The Wonderful Frustrating, Exasperating, Maddening, Awesome World of SLA 3D Printing

Step-by-step instructions on how to get started in 3D-printing.

The Workbench

The author discusses several ideas for suitable work spaces.

The World of 3D Printing

The author shares his own introduction to 3D-printing, and what he learned and observed, including beginner tips and the extra tools and materials you need to get started.

They Don't Build 'em The Way They Used To!

The author reflects on how layouts were built in the 1940s, when they didn't have the tools we have now.

Thoughts On Soldering

This article is an overview of what solder is, some of the tools used in soldering, and some techniques. Includes many photos that show the various tools, soldering techniques, and of under-construction models.

Tips & Tricks

Creating a clearance gauge.

Tips & Tricks

Build a sanding station that helps to ensure wall ends are square and flat.

Tools for the Master Craftsman

The author shares his knowledge about high-quality metalworking tools.

Tools: Cheaper by the Dozen

Think outside the box to find some really cheap, even free, tools.

Top Ten Most Overlooked Model Railroad Tools

Pliers, drill bit holder, knives, scriber, fake fur, and EZ Line.

Track Ballasting Made Easy

A handy ballast spreader and a vacuum attachment that can be made to produce nicely ballasted track quickly.

Track Marking Gauge

Making a T-shaped gauge for marking parallel tracks for his staging yard.

Traction Test Stand

The author describes how he built a test stand to measuring a locomotive's traction capabilities using a precision dynamometer gauge.

Train Room Confessions

The author reviews his use of several glues, including some new ones.

Two Gizmos for the Workbench

The author describes how he built two devices to hold his HO-scale models while he works on them. One is a positional cradle that uses a piece of a downspout padded with foam and an adjustable bracket, and the other is simple long piece of downspout padded with foam for holding cars or engines. Includes construction diagrams and photos.

Two Styrene Scribers

Modify scribers to make them work for scribing styrene.

Ultramini Surface Gage

Build your own gage to help you accurately line up holes horizontally along the side of a car or engine. Includes a parts list and a construction detail diagram.

Unconventional Materials

The author mentions his use of a collection of materials that he uses that a modeler may not readily think of, such as signage from antique store letter heads, marker pens, foils, etc.

Unconventional Tools

The author lists a number of his tools that are not necessarily found in modelers' tool boxes, such as a special dough-like substance for holding parts, a tool for cutting foam board, various rulers, metal blocks, etc.

Unimat III - With Precision

The author describes this lathe along with its parts, and then shares some things he has done to it to improve it.

Universal Modeling Sizes Chart

The magazine makes a PDF and XLS chart available that lists English, Metric, Drill Sizes, Wire Gauge, and Screws for all the model railroading scales, except for G and F. The page has a download link (requires log-in).

Unusual Attachments

The author describes using screws, pins, styrene rod as rivets, metal tab catches, and hiding wires in tubing.

Uses of Rub 'n Buff

Rub 'n Buff is a finishing material normally used for antiquing furniture and other articles. The author describes his various experiments with applying the material to his models, and how it can be removed.

Using Metalworking Tools

A brief article describing how to do some of the common tasks when working with metals. This article is a complement to the USRA locomotive construction series, where the author will have more detailed information.

Using Soldering Fixtures

This article continues to February 2015 one, and covers how to solder specific parts to the model. Includes lots of set-up photos.

What Screw Should I Use?

Types of screws, their sizes, and drawings of each.

What's Neat with Ken Patterson

How to make a paint-bottle shaker. A visit by actor Michael Gross. Updating a manufacturer's portable display layout. Interview with Matt Hermann from ESU LokSound.

Wheel Cleaning Made Easy

Shows how to build a dedicated wheel cleaning station with handy clips to hold the paper towel in place for wheel cleaning, without getting caught by coupler trip pins.

Wheelset Holder

The author shows how to make a wheelset holder (for painting wheel faces) out of brass parts.

Working with Wood

The author describes the tools, stains, and techniques he used to work with wood to build structures.

Zap-texturing for Foliage

After explaining how zap-texturing works, the author describes his experiences with the Wimshurst Electrostatic Machine, and then shows how he uses the tool for making trees.