I am always curious about the tools people have on their modeling workbenches, looking for ways of doing things better or with more precision, as well as adding new skills to my repertoire. Regularly, I discover items of interest so I keep a running list of possible additions and their source. Near the end of the year, I purchased several new tools from my list, illustrated below. Some were based on experience using less suitable tools, others intended to expand my capabilities.
At the top is a pair of heavy duty flush cut pliers from FastCap. These are primarily intended for clipping trip pins off Kadee couplers as close as possible. They can also be used for heavier brass wire. I have been dissatisfied with my other diagonal cutting pliers as they leave a significant nub. This was an Amazon find, a return at a substantial discount, appearing unused.
The metal blocks on the right with the rows of holes are machinists parallel blocks, or 1-2-3 blocks, with precision machined right angle faces. These are helpful for providing support and ensuring right angles when attaching boxcar or building sides together. The blocks can also provide weight for holding parts together while gluing. I found these at Amazon.
Recently, several expert railroad modelers shared about their use of The Glue Looper, an ingenious applicator for thin CA glue. I had been using wire, toothpicks and an etched brass applicator from Eduard, with mixed results. The photo shows one of the Glue Looper tips in a green hobby knife handle, along with the packet of tips in three “sizes”, referring to the size of the loop and how much glue it holds. The tip is selected based on the length of the glue application. I have already used a medium tip and am very happy with the precise application and ease of use. The handle was purchased with the tips as an option, but any hobby-knife holder should work. I wanted a dedicated handle and the bright green color stands out.
The rectangular metal piece with two black knobs in the center of the photo is a photo etch elbow bender from UMM-USA (Unique Master Models). John Vojtech is a highly skilled master modeler who offers an extensive range of tools, supplies and models on his website. John has also developed some excellent tools that he has custom made, including photo etch benders. These particular designs are well suited to bending brass for etched ladders and long narrow shapes such as door tracks. He offers a number of versions, including 60 (MN004) and 150 millimeter (MN014) length models that include a bending brake. I had the 60mm bender on hand, purchased for etched ladder stile bending, and wanted a longer one specifically for a few upcoming projects where I plan to make door track angles from thin sheet brass.
Again, these tools come highly recommended by several prolific railroad modelers. As standard, the benders have Allen head screws for clamping. Some folks have modified them with M6 star knobs purchased separately for ease of use, not requiring a hex wrench. The knobs are readily available online at Amazon.
While at the UMM website, I discovered another tool developed by John, a scriber. There are several versions, designed for scribing panel lines on aircraft models but having utility for other purposes as well. I purchased the SCR-03 “third generation” universal scriber to use for scraping and scribing in confined areas. It is a thin dual ended chisel type tool made of hard tool steel with one side also having a sharpened edge well suited to scribing on curves. The hook shaped end looks particularly useful. This tool is shown in the first picture, at the lower left. I was reminded of some of the dental tools that have a similar shape and this tool seemed like it might find good use. An impulse buy so we shall see how it goes.
Did I absolutely need all of these new things? Possibly not, but working with well crafted tools that are built for purpose makes modeling more enjoyable for me, and elevates my game. At least, this is what I tell myself!
