Description of 16 tools needed to do scratchbuilding.

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

Sprue cutter

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 short article describing a condensed, but useful workbench.

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

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

Building a paint caddy that holds paint bottles and brushes.

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

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.

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

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

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. Editor's Note: I built mine using wood and styrene; see this link:  ../../Articles/Equipment/SurfacePlate.htm

Molecular bonder glue.

PBL product review.

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

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.

Using Palm PDA's to maintain your collection.

Using a drillpress, the author creates rivets in styrene without going through the expense of purchasing a dedicated rivet puncher.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Model railroad scale rules, architect's scale.

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

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

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

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

The author discusses several ideas for suitable work spaces.

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

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

Modify scribers to make them work for scribing styrene.

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