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

[flyboy2610]

Don't let your wife see the reciepts.

 

[PaulieT]

The small plastic cups that lunch box size servings of fruit or jello or pudding come in make great disposable mixing cups for 2 part epoxy, Envirotex, mixing latex paint colors for scenery, small batches of plaster, or anything else. When you're finished just toss them away. Popsicle sticks and some of the stronger coffee stirrer sticks make great mixing sticks and are free also once the ice cream and coffee is gone.

Good idea! I use old business cards and toothpicks for mixing small amounts of epoxy. Before retiring, I changed jobs often and have a lot of left over business cards now.

 

[PaulieT]

I use 35mm film containers to hold toothpicks and Q-Tips. I put a large flat washer in the bottom so they don't fall over easily. Too bad film is not used much any more. Small prescription medicine containers also work well for this.

I had a piece of 1 x 4 plastic wood left over from a house project. I drilled a series of 9/64" (#28 Drill) holes 1/2 inch deep across the 4" wide surface to hold rotary tool (Dremel) bits, burrs, and stones. I also made another one to hold small needle files.

 

[Rico]

Don't let your wife see the receipts.

There was a group of us that would drive to the city Thursday nights to visit our favourite hobby shop, it had a great consignment bin. We would go for coffee later and busily remove or change all the price tags.

 

[Canalligator]

Here’s my bottle holder. I made the holes to fit the paint and glue bottles and tubes that I use,

 

[Canalligator]

I found this cart at the curb! (A nurse friend saw it and said, oh, a crash cart!) I made a mobile work cart, with a plug strip and trash bin. I carry an old hand vac, which I was handier than I expected. For a job on the railroad, I add the tools needed and roll it to the work area.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

I use the sprues from model kits to make piping.

 

[santafewillie]

I use the sprues from model kits to make piping.

Yes, done that for years. Works really well.
I also slice appropriate-size sprues very thinly to make plates on the tables in my eateries. Easiest to see on outdoor dining areas.
The drink cups are pieces of .015 styrene rod.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

Yes, done that for years. Works really well.

i find if i dig long enough i can find the lengths and bends that i need so i dont have to cut and glue as much

 

[Mopac Junkie]

Yes, done that for years. Works really well.
I also slice appropriate-size sprues very thinly to make plates on the tables in my eateries. Easiest to see on outdoor dining areas.
The drink cups are pieces of .015 styrene rod.
View attachment 203550

Whoa nice job!

 

[Mopac Junkie]

Liquid model cement sold by Testors and Plastruct are 100% MEK (methylethylketone). MEK is sold at local hardware stores for $15 a quart vs $10 for 1oz and $13 for 2oz. That's 47 cents per ounce in the quart can. I've accidentally knocked over my bottle of Plastruct at least 3 times in the past year.

 

[GGNInNScale]

Liquid model cement sold by Testors and Plastruct are 100% MEK (methylethylketone). MEK is sold at local hardware stores for $15 a quart vs $10 for 1oz and $13 for 2oz. That's 47 cents per ounce in the quart can. I've accidentally knocked over my bottle of Plastruct at least 3 times in the past year.

I do the same, keep it in a glass bottle. I usually add about 20-30% acetone to the MEK.

 

[Rico]

I do the same, keep it in a glass bottle. I usually add about 20-30% acetone to the MEK.

Curious what that does?

 

[Mopac Junkie]

Curious what that does?

it takes the "edge" off especially when mixing with orange juice.

 

[GGNInNScale]

Curious what that does?

Makes it more "universal" for almost any plastic. I used to have some super solvent years ago. Unfortunately it was banned...

 

[PaulieT]

Acetone will make the MEK evaporate slightly faster. MEK is both less soluble and less volatile than acetone. Acetone is typically a better solvent than MEK, because it dissolves a wider range of compounds.

 

[Canalligator]

A better screwdriver…

Sometimes phillips screws can be difficult to drive in. Phillips drivers, by design, have slightly tapered engagement surfaces. This was done intentionally to prevent over-torquing screws. But that meansyou might have to press hard to keep it from slipping, which could damage your work.

But there is a Phillips-type screwdriver which has straight surfaces, a “JIS” driver. These are mostly used in manufacturing, but sometimes on consumer products too. (Bicycle derailleur adjusting screws usually are JIS.) Sometimes these engage the screw head much better, even on non-JIS screws, so you don’t have to press as hard on the screw.

Where I found a JIS screwdriver very useful was the screw retaining the actuator on a Tortoise switch machine. I worried I might damage the switch machine by pressing too hard. The JIS screwdriver works so much better! It is also good for working in cramped quarters, like installing that switch machine under your layout.

 

[PaulieT]

A better screwdriver…

Sometimes phillips screws can be difficult to drive in. Phillips drivers, by design, have slightly tapered engagement surfaces. This was done intentionally to prevent over-torquing screws. But that meansyou might have to press hard to keep it from slipping, which could damage your work.

But there is a Phillips-type screwdriver which has straight surfaces, a “JIS” driver. These are mostly used in manufacturing, but sometimes on consumer products too. (Bicycle derailleur adjusting screws usually are JIS.) Sometimes these engage the screw head much better, even on non-JIS screws, so you don’t have to press as hard on the screw.

Where I found a JIS screwdriver very useful was the screw retaining the actuator on a Tortoise switch machine. I worried I might damage the switch machine by pressing too hard. The JIS screwdriver works so much better! It is also good for working in cramped quarters, like installing that switch machine under your layout.

Excellent information Canalligator.

I would like to add:
We all know that Allen Wrenches, Socket wrenches, etc... come in sizes. But, did you know Philips screw drivers also come in sizes?

The #0000 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 1 mm.
The #000 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 1.5 mm.
The #00 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 2 mm.
The #0 Phillips head screwdriver fits screw sizes 0 and 1 and has a 2.5 mm tip.
The #1 Phillips driver fits screws 2, 3, and 4 and has a 3 mm tip.
The #2 Phillips head screwdriver fits screws 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and has a tip measurement of 3.5 mm. This is the most common size Philips driver.
The #3 Phillips driver on 10, 12, 14, and 16 size screws. This driver has a tip measuring 5 mm.
The #4 Phillips driver has a tip measuring 6 mm (almost 1/4 inch) and fits screws 18, 20, and 24.
Put the #5 Phillips driver to use on machine screws at 5/8" and 3/4" sizes. This screwdriver tip measures 8mm.

By the way, Flat head and JIS screwdrivers also come in sizes.
Paul

 

[NorthBrit]

Excellent information Canalligator.

I would like to add:
We all know that Allen Wrenches, Socket wrenches, etc... come in sizes. But, did you know Philips screw drivers also come in sizes?

The #0000 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 1 mm.
The #000 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 1.5 mm.
The #00 Phillips head screwdriver has a tip measuring 2 mm.
The #0 Phillips head screwdriver fits screw sizes 0 and 1 and has a 2.5 mm tip.
The #1 Phillips driver fits screws 2, 3, and 4 and has a 3 mm tip.
The #2 Phillips head screwdriver fits screws 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and has a tip measurement of 3.5 mm. This is the most common size Philips driver.
The #3 Phillips driver on 10, 12, 14, and 16 size screws. This driver has a tip measuring 5 mm.
The #4 Phillips driver has a tip measuring 6 mm (almost 1/4 inch) and fits screws 18, 20, and 24.
Put the #5 Phillips driver to use on machine screws at 5/8" and 3/4" sizes. This screwdriver tip measures 8mm.

By the way, Flat head and JIS screwdrivers also come in sizes.
Paul

Yes. I knew that, but I did not know there was so many sizes.
Yesterday I tried to screw four screws into the legs of our new television. The first screwdriver was unsuccessful. I had to get one with a smaller tip.

 

[Canalligator]

I am also aware of Phillips sizing, and I tried multiple ones on the Tortoise machine. On a whim and from a bit of frustration, I tried the JIS and was pleasantly surprised. (I already owned one for the derailleur screws.)

I think Circuitron should improve that design. Maybe all it needs is a different fastener. Actually, given the choice, I’d choose torx. Very little pressure needed to drive the fastener.