post your model RR tips........

[michaeljoe]

Try this.
1) Open the folder containing the picture using the "Thumbnail" view.
2) Right click on the thumbnail to bring up the dialog box and left click on "Copy".
3) Return to the forum page.
4) Then position the cursor in the "Reply" box and right click again for the dialog box; then left click "Paste".

Thaot it to work, anays it did.

 

[jetfumes]

How about everyone posting some free or low price things you use on your RR.
I'll start with a few of mine:
Take tin foil and cut into about 4"x4" and roll it into a ball then use pliers and keep pinching until its a square. you can paint with rust color paint and fill a gondola car. Looks just like recycled cars smashed into squares.
Another tip I use is PVC caps from home depot. use different sizes for tanks at a chemical plant. Put decals and even use leftover spruces from old models as pipes.
Your turn. come on post some tips everyone
Greg

For grass I use parsley run through the food processor to get it real fine. For dead grass I add a little cinnomon
For chain link fencing I use screen door mesh.

 

[freescopesdad]

I buy these from Amazon for track cleaning. Perfect for n scale.

 

[michaeljoe]

When
No shaking necessary.

 

[PMW]

When my small glue bottles get close to empty, these whiskey shot glasses work great.
They hold the bottles upside down perfectly so that the glue goes towards the nozzle makes it easier to get the glue out.
No shaking necessary.

Neat! More confirmation that shot glasses fix everything in one way or another

 

[Frenchie]

Some industrial pastries come into aluminium containers. These are usefull for many projects.
I use them to make metal culverts, using a pointed tool it's easy to reproduce the metal
" rippled " look.
You may use it also to represent damaged vehicles.
Use a piece that you press firmly against, for example, a car fender. A small tool is useful in order to "print" the fender shape.
You'll get then a duplicata of the said fender.
Cut this form with old scissors.
Then cut off the plastic fender from the model vehicle and replace with the "aluminium" one. Secure with CA.
Now you may add dents or whatever you wish to give the look of an accidented vehicle. The choice of colour goes from flat alu marks to rusty spots.
The hardest part is to find the proper aluminium thickness.
I’ll send photos.

 

[Canalligator]

Thanks, great idea. Can you measure the thickness of the aluminum? (A vernier or dial caliper is a very handy tool to own, and it isn’t expensive.)

 

[Frenchie]

Thanks, great idea. Can you measure the thickness of the aluminum? (A vernier or dial caliper is a very handy tool to own, and it isn’t expensive.)

Hi Canalligator, sorry I'm quite busy with non model RR occupations. As soon as I am done I'll come back with the infos. I don't have a caliper, but I'll find one.
You're right I should get one, well...
I'll be back ASAP.

 

[Michael B]

This is an unusual tip that you may hear me mention in other threads from time to time.

People strip threads in plastic and wood quite often.
To avoid this, place the screw in position, but instead of tightening - loosen. When you feel the screw drop down into the hole(the height of one thread) - you have found the sweet spot...

 

[Michael B]

When laying track or working on zamtac, many times you will want to file "just that little bit" but there is no way to get a file even in there. In such a case use an old hobby knife that you just sharpened. Shave, scrape, ect. You see, the blade is much harder then any rail. You can't remove lots of material at one time, but it does work.

 

[KriegslokBR52]

I'm not sure if that was posted before, but for you tea drinkers (i personally like Earl Grey), don't throw away those bags:

When dried up, the tea flakes make a fine forest floor:

Just spray your choice of diluted glue, spread the "dry leafes" and spray again to secure everything in place. You can also see dry leafes on rock outcroppings as they fall down the embarkment:

 

[santafewillie]

I'm not sure if that was posted before, but for you tea drinkers (i personally like Earl Grey), don't throw away those bags:View attachment 248872
When dried up, the tea flakes make a fine forest floor:View attachment 248873View attachment 248875View attachment 248876View attachment 248877
Just spray your choice of diluted glue, spread the "dry leafes" and spray again to secure everything in place. You can also see dry leafes on rock outcroppings as they fall down the embarkment:View attachment 248874

I have also seen modelers use the tea bags as canvas tents and canvas covers on flatcar loads.

 

[daves68]

do the tea flakes go bad or rot over time or attract bugs ?

 

[KriegslokBR52]

do the tea flakes go bad or rot over time or attract bugs ?

No, they are completely dry when i put them on the layout and the clear spray glue keeps them sealed so they won't crumble. The pieces i've shown on the photographs are there now for well over 10 years and they survived moving to another house.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

No, they are completely dry when i put them on the layout and the clear spray glue keeps them sealed so they won't crumble. The pieces i've shown on the photographs are there now for well over 10 years and they survived moving to another house.

I was wondering about that too, good to know.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

Hey, everybody. I have a new one for you, home made PTC array for free. The two white antennae and the light gray Sinclair type antenna are scrap pieces of brass rail cut to size and shape and painted, and the white GPS dome is just some scrap styrene (I forget the exact thickness offhand) that I cut to size and beveled the edges. All pieces were glued to the roof with a dab of CA. I have another engine on the workbench that I added this to, and it looks just as good on that one too.

 

[2Tracks]

Put a piece of .015 piano wire in a pin vise for a precision glue applicator. Build up a little dry bulb of CA on the end to hold a little more glue if needed.

 

[KB02]

I'm not sure if that was posted before, but for you tea drinkers (i personally like Earl Grey), don't throw away those bags:View attachment 248872
When dried up, the tea flakes make a fine forest floor:View attachment 248876
Just spray your choice of diluted glue, spread the "dry leafes" and spray again to secure everything in place. You can also see dry leafes on rock outcroppings as they fall down the embarkment:

Does it only work with Earl Grey? I'm more of a Salada guy, myself.

Great suggestion! My tea leaf collection started yesterday morning. It would have started the day before that but my wife threw out thee used tea bag. It was a great conversation.
"You left your tea bag sitting on the counter."
"Yeah, I was saving that."
"you were saving a USED tea bag?!?"

 

[KriegslokBR52]

Does it only work with Earl Grey? I'm more of a Salada guy, myself.

Great suggestion! My tea leaf collection started yesterday morning. It would have started the day before that but my wife threw out thee used tea bag. It was a great conversation.
"You left your tea bag sitting on the counter."
"Yeah, I was saving that."
"you were saving a USED tea bag?!?"

I'm glad i could contribute to an interesting conversation with the wife