Which tools?

SteadyRed

SteadyRed

Western Thunderer
As a beginner in kit building, I am off to Shepshed tomorrow to visit the Squires stand to get me some tools.

I am compiling a shopping list, starting with the basics...
A cutting mat!
Engineers square(s)
Good quality files
Good quality cutters
Set of small (tiny) drills and a pin vice.
Swan Morton handles & blades.

I am thinking a magnifying device!

Basically the stuff I will need for kit construction, but is too specialist to be able to buy locally, this obviously includes fluids, adhesives etc anything which cannot be easy sent by post.

Your thoughts, I know I am asking a question which could run to pages of answers.

Dave
 
ceejaydee

ceejaydee

Western Thunderer
Mmmm; tools :thumbs:
Sounds like a good basic list but I'd possibly consider getting a cheaper set of files and then invest in better quality versions of the styles you use most - probably half round, flat and hand (flat with a safe non-cutting edge) to start with, then keep these for your better work and avoid using on steels or whitemetal castings.
 
JimG

JimG

Western Thunderer
SteadyRed said:
I am compiling a shopping list, starting with the basics...
A cutting mat!
Engineers square(s)
Good quality files
Good quality cutters
Set of small (tiny) drills and a pin vice.
Swan Morton handles & blades.
Click to expand...

Dave,

Don't forget a steel rule, preferably two - a 6" one and a 12" one. Excellent for measuring :), but also as straight edges for cutting materials and aligning parts. They also work as good weight spreaders if you have to hold something down while glue sets. You might also consider a scale rule which can be a great help in measuring parts accurately - especially in 7mm where the scale conversion can be a bu**er. :)

Jim.
 
Rob Pulham

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
I have been building kits for years and I recently bought a set of three engineers clamps and I have to say I don't know how I have ever managed without them:rolleyes:
 
Dog Star

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
Jim is correct about rules, you can never have enough rules - choose those which are a satin finish with black engraved marking as those are easier to read.

Cutting broaches for when you need to enlarge an existing hole, saves on drill bits and keeps the holes round.

Squares, I have a couple at 2" for use with plastic wagon bodies and then singles at 4" and 6" for etch kits.

If you go through a recent topic on building a Slater's tar tank you shall see photos of the tools which help me.
 
Heather Kay

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
More than one pin vice or hand drill thingie. I have three, one of which is an Archimedes screw jobbie that works well with the tiny drills. I often find I have all three with drills in which I use during a build, and it saves having to keep swapping drills about all the time.
 
Phill Dyson

Phill Dyson

Western Thunderer
Heather Kay said:
More than one pin vice or hand drill thingie. I have three, one of which is an Archimedes screw jobbie that works well with the tiny drills. I often find I have all three with drills in which I use during a build, and it saves having to keep swapping drills about all the time.
Click to expand...

Spares of the smaller size drill bits are useful too.......they do tend to break quite easily;)
 
Scale7JB

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
Depending on wether you might be modifying any kits i'd highly recommend a fret saw and blades and an olfa cutter.

JB.
 
S

SteveO

Guest
Have you got a small bench vise? I use mine for trapping two rules between and using that as a bending machine. I also use two small G clamps for the same task, depending on situation and whether I'm in the loft or not.
 
adrian

adrian

Flying Squad
Just to add to all the excellent suggestions so far - a few more for your shopping list for cleaning up any soldering.
  • Garryflex block - cleaning etches before and after soldering.
  • Scratch brush - with steel inserts (I can't abide fibreglass getting stuck in my fingers)
  • Triangular scraper (STS005) - excellent for removing excess solder.
 
Dog Star

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
How about telling us which type of kits are on the agenda? Advice might then be tailored as necessary.

What Heather says about Pin Chucks is good - I checked today and there are three on the bench whilst working on a 7mm JLTRT TTA kit, two with drills below 1mm and one with a 1.5mm drill. You may need to think about a set of pin chucks to cover drill sizes from (say) 0.4mm to (say) 3mm plus a couple extra for the low end of the range. As with all things, you get what you pay etc.. so close the chuck up and check that the jaws close tight and meet to form a simple cross. Squires sells the small metric drills either singly or in packs of ten (with a reduced unit price).

JB has mentioned a saw... Squires can sell a nice piercing saw, which many of us use with sheet metal, plus a range of piercing saw blades. As with the drills, Squires offers a "bulk buy" which reduces the unit price. I buy 6 packs of 6/0, 4 packs of 4/0 and 2 packs of 2/0 at a time.
 
Eastsidepilot

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Piercing saw and a vernier gauge, taper reamers and for loco building a 4.8mm parallel reamer, you'll need this for 3/16" axle bearings, especially Slater's, essential for getting the bearings dead parallel.
Slip stones are good for cleaning up the cusp on etches, better than files.

Col.
 
S

SteveO

Guest
One more thing that I wish I had – parallel-jawed pliers. Could have saved me quite a bit of time making smaller folds, rather than taking the time to square them up in the vise, etc. Definitely the next tool I'll buy.
 
D

djparkins

Western Thunderer
SteadyRed said:
As a beginner in kit building, I am off to Shepshed tomorrow to visit the Squires stand to get me some tools.

I am compiling a shopping list, starting with the basics...
A cutting mat!
Engineers square(s)
Good quality files
Good quality cutters
Set of small (tiny) drills and a pin vice.
Swan Morton handles & blades.

I am thinking a magnifying device!

Basically the stuff I will need for kit construction, but is too specialist to be able to buy locally, this obviously includes fluids, adhesives etc anything which cannot be easy sent by post.

Your thoughts, I know I am asking a question which could run to pages of answers.

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave -

A good pair of fine smooth-jawed pliers are a must - folding of small etched parts + foring handrails etc.

Another consideration - a Hold & Fold or an Etchmate Folding Tool. 8" would do. You really do need a mortgage for the 14" Hold & Fold and this is not really required for the kits you have so far] Do not be fobbed off with advice such 'as you can make a set of folding bars for a couple of quid'! This is true, but the Hold & fold is far more than a set of folding clamps. It has cut outs that clear some areas of complicated parts as you form them and bevelled areas. Very useful for some of the parts you will encounter in the kits you have.

Just my thoughts on your list.

Regards,

DJP/MMP
 
InvernessTMD

InvernessTMD

Western Thunderer
I can echo DJP's comments about the Hold and Fold. I bought an 8" one probably 6 or so years ago and it is brilliant. I used it when I was building my Judith Edge Hunslet (see Leeming Yard thread), and I have used it for little bits n pieces since then
 
Scale7JB

Scale7JB

Western Thunderer
SteveO said:
One more thing that I wish I had – parallel-jawed pliers. Could have saved me quite a bit of time making smaller folds, rather than taking the time to square them up in the vise, etc. Definitely the next tool I'll buy.
Click to expand...

Parallel jawed pliers, are they like tartan paint or sky hooks perhaps?

JB.
 
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