Tools for modellers> main > modeller's corner > tools
When you are modelling you will need tools, to cut, shape and join the materials used. The amount and the type of tools required is closely related to the modelling job you want to do. I made a selection of jobs and the tools needed. The list is not pretending to be complete. Other methods of working may require different tools. When working with any tool, please observe the appropiate safety measures.
Benchwork
for your layout requires ordinary woodworking tools, a saw, a good
square, a drill, screwdrivers and the like. When you use foam as a
base for your layout you need foam shaping tools. Knives, a surform
tool and/or a hot wire cutting tool are very useful when cutting and shaping
foam. When you use power tools for woodworking, take extra care of
your safety! These machines are usually very powerful and may produce
chips that are flying around. Protect your eyes and if the machine is
very noisy also your ears. You only have one set of each and
there are no replacements available! When sawing or sanding
plywood or MDF, please protect your lungs with the proper protective
gear. All these tools are available at your local D-I-Y store.
Tracklaying
needs rather different tools. Laying track is a delicate job and it
needs much smaller tools. Tools needed for laying track are pliers, a
track cutter, a mini-power tool, like a Dremel and small files. Pins
are very usuful for positioning track. A small hammer is needed for
pushing in the track pins. When you are handlaying your track, you
will certainly be an experienced modeller and I do not think I am
telling you any news.
Wiring
the layout needs wire-cutters, a cable knive to remove isolation, a
soldering iron - Watch out, this becomes very
hot! - screwdrivers and in some cases a crimping tool.
Other tools needed are pliers and sometimes tweezers. A drill may be
needed to make holes in the benchwork to pass the wires
through. A crimping tool is necessary when you use crimp terminals.
Scenery
is the more artistic part of the hobby. Tools
needed are brushes, spatulas and other tools needed for shaping and
colouring. An airbrush is an expensive tool, but very versatile for
detailing jobs on rocks etc. Ordinary plant sprayers can be used for
spray painting the basic scenery. Use well-diluted water-based paint
so that the spray nozzle won't clog up with paint.
Rolling stock
modifications and repairs are usually
very delicate jobs. Tools needed are small and may have razor-sharp
cutting edges. You will need tweezers, in a variety of shapes, small
screwdrivers, pliers, cutters and again small files. Modelling knives
are used for cutting and picking up small springs. Sometimes a
special tool is needed. It may either be available at your modelling
shop are made by yourself. A razor saw and mitre-box are needed for
the brave ones who modify their models to build models that are not
commercially available, or just for the fun of it. A glass-fibre
pencil brush removes dirt from loco wheels easily.
Assembling
styrene structures and other styrene
models needs the following tools: fine sandpaper, small files, an
X-Acto #2 or similar knive, a small brush to apply adhesive and a
cutting mat, for both cutting and as a flat base to assemble your
model. Paint brushes, paint and thinners are needed to finsh your model.
Assembling brass
models is a specialist job. You need
good soldering tools, perhaps even a resistance-soldering machine,
pliers, tweezers, cutters, files, small brushes, fine sandpaper. Old
toothbrushes and a glass-fibre pencil brush are also of use.
Assembling resin
models needs
more care than assembling styrene models. The adhesive needed is CAA
(cyano-acrylate adhesive) which also sticks your fingers together!
The tools needed are not different from the ones needed for styrene
models.
Some of the tools you need for successful railway modelling
Tool
links
Xuron
makes a range of quality pliers, cutters, scissors, tweezers and
sqeeze bottles. Recommended by personal experience!
Dremel
is well-known for its miniature power tools.
Swann-Morton
from Sheffield, England is a world leader in cutting tools, their
speciality are surgical knives and cutters. Swann-Morton have a
seperate page for modelling
and crafting tools.
Martor
is the German competitor of the firm above, Martor is more aiming at
the craft artist and less at the surgeon. Martor are from Solingen,
Germany.
Excel
Tools makes craft knives, cutters,
blades etc
X-Axto is one of the best known makes of knives, cutters, blades, small saws
etc.
Zona
supplies small saws and lots of other hand tools suitable for
modelling.
Cooper
Tools supply lots of tools for electric
and electronic work as well as woodworking tools. Famous Cooper
brands are Weller (soldering irons), Xcelite (pliers, tweezers,
screwdrivers, etc.) and Nicholson (woodworking tools).
Topman
is a japanese manufacturer of japanese saws (a unique design), and
some other tools, like pocket-wrenches, tool boxes etc.
Klein Tools offer a wide range of tools for almost every job you can imagine.
Panduit offers electrical connectors, cable ties, cable conduits and much more...
Airbrushes and suitable paints are
made by Aztek
and 
Badger
as well as airbrush accessories. There are many more makes of
airbrushes. Badger also carries the 
range of airbrushes.
Harder
& Steenbeck are a German specialist
airbrush manufacurer; great products.
Gunze
Sangyo makes very good paints and
painting accesories under the
Mr-Hobby
name.
Expo has a large range of modelling and electronics tools.
Micro Mark from the USA has an even larger range of tools.
Micro Tools offers tools and parts for camera repairs, interesting for modellers too!
Greven offers a range of adhesives, all very suitable for your modelling needs, German language
Planning your layout could be done with a computer software tool. Personally, I have good experiences with XtrkCad. It's now available for free!
Another planning tool is 3rdPlanIt, it even offers 3D terrain, structure and vehicle modelling and operation simulation! Very impressive!
If you like to design your layouts with paper and pencil, K.I.S.S.
has suitable scale rules and curve tools, and at an interesting
price!
Kolibri
is a manufacturer of quality paint brushes for almost every
application.
CNC-Step offers compact CNC machines. Interesting for modellers who think of starting a small-series production, these are not for the average kit-builder, but offer great possibilities for advanced modellers.
3D Printing has become one of the most popular methods of makeing small batches or even one-off models. Raise3D has a 3D printer to suit your needs.
Text & scans by Mark Veneman
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