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 Tools and tips for scratch building

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T O P I C    R E V I E W
Bbags Posted - 03/10/2005 : 5:30:15 PM
Hi all.
This sticky will be for any tools or tips that you might offer to make scratch building easier.

To start:
One of the most important tools to me is a scale ruler that is graduated in your scale for scratch building.
I think if you are going to build in HO(choose your scale) then you should learn to think in HO.
Therefore I use a metal scale rule which has marked on it HO feet and inches.

Therefore when I think of something being 10 feet long I am thinking of 10 HO feet rather than 10 feet in the real world.

I also prefer to use scale lumber rather than dimensional lumber since scale lumber is measured in HO feet and inches whereas dimensional lumber is measured in real world measurements.

I know that a 2" by 4" in the real world is more like 1 3/4" by 3 1/2".
This is due to the fact that lumber is measured in sawn size(when first cut) and not actual size which is smaller due to dressing and/or drying.
However if I want my studs to be 2" by 4"s then I buy 2" by 4" stripwood.

Now that I have become an HO person building an HO structure it is much easier for me to visualize sizes.

Now it is time for others to add there own choice of tools and/tips for scratch building.
Thanks for your participation in advance.
15   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
desertdrover Posted - 01/23/2020 : 11:48:21 AM
Glue holder Jig-Tool:

While watching Carl Alessi, RR-L Member (Carl B) his “Great Lakes Lighthouse Build: http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=52349&whichpage=1
I saw a glue holder jig he made-up. (First set of pictures).
That jig, after many years of modeling struck my interest immediately. We all know when we model, and use glue, we set it down only to pick it up again and have to shake the glue to the tip to use it once again. And, this goes on and on throughout our construction builds.
Well this outstand jig solves that problem for us. Here are the parts I used and made-up one for myself. It shows all the different glues it can hold. And, many more I’m sure.
I took an extra caulking gun I had laying around, and pulled off the handle and guts, than cut out a piece of wood to screw the caulking gun tube holder onto to make-up my glue holder. Enjoy!
Many thanks Carl B.





desertdrover Posted - 02/22/2019 : 2:08:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by David Clark

Genius.
Cheers,
Dave


Thanks Dave, my next trip to the store I'm going to pickup some electrical alligator clips and make some up in place of those electrical lugs, so I can clip it to work being held in the same wooden block.
David Clark Posted - 02/22/2019 : 12:22:55 PM
Genius.
Cheers,
Dave
desertdrover Posted - 02/21/2019 : 3:45:22 PM
This thread hasn't been added to in awhile so, I'm posting this idea. While working on a project I got an idea for a new spray booth paint holding aid, to add to my collection of extra hands. I used an Electrical Connector lug crimped onto a 4” piece of wire coat hanger. You can now screw this “extra hand” onto your frame truck mounting hole, or onto the coupler pocket hole. Then you can hold it by hand, clamp it holding your item to be painted, or make a wooden block with rows of holes, the size of the wire to insert into the wooden block to hold upright. You now have an extra pair of hands to add to your paint shop.



[Edit] I went a step further with this extra hands idea and took a piece of 2” x 4” wood 10” long, and drilled in 1/8” holes to hold the wire extra hands. I also took some miniature craft 1/2”, (12mm) wooden spools and glued them to the wire so I can pick them up and hold them while painting if needed.
mwbpequod Posted - 11/21/2018 : 09:52:08 AM
quote:

I'm also thinking this could make a good article for one of the major magazines. Mmmmmmmm.........


I can think of one right away that would be interested,
Bernd Posted - 12/09/2016 : 5:07:32 PM
Thanks Ted. Here's the soda I use. 50˘ a box.



Bernd
quartergauger48 Posted - 12/09/2016 : 2:58:41 PM
another Great use of baking soda Benrd, And a very cool home made blaster'...Love it'..
Bernd Posted - 12/09/2016 : 11:35:18 AM
Looking over both Louis's and Jeff's link on blast cabinets I'm thinking of a combo of the two. I like the sink idea but think it's a bit to large for model railroad items, unless you're into live steam. Yet you want something big enough to have both hands in the cabinet. I like the idea of the sink with it's own stand, perhaps a home built stand? I know if it doesn't get it's own stand it will shoved from one horizontal storage area to another. So it will definitely need it's own stand.

I'm also thinking this could make a good article for one of the major magazines. Mmmmmmmm.........

Ok, just added another project to the list.

Bernd
jschumaker Posted - 12/09/2016 : 09:48:13 AM
Here's a DIY sandblasting cabinet.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-ShotGrit-Blasting-Cabinet/

Jeff S.
Dutchman Posted - 12/09/2016 : 08:33:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Bernd

Plus baking soda is "environmentally" friendly. Any laying around will soak up foul orders. Remember the baking soda in the fridge trick?

Bernd


Plus Baking Soda is even effective pesticide to help control many creepy crawlers.
Bernd Posted - 12/09/2016 : 08:09:08 AM
quote:
Originally posted by BurleyJim

I like the Baking Soda media. That Silica sand is dangerous (Silicosis) and requires some serious breathing filtering. We used that in an auto body shop, I worked at as a kid and at a tool and die shop 40 years later. Nasty stuff.

Jim


I don't think you can get silica sand as fine as baking soda. Plus baking soda is "environmentally" friendly. Any laying around will soak up foul orders. Remember the baking soda in the fridge trick?

Bernd
Bernd Posted - 12/09/2016 : 08:05:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by desertdrover

Thanks for the information and email Bernd. I'll give the soda a try. Also, forgot to ask, is the soda used re-useable?
Glad you liked that link. I thought it would make a nice usable containment cabinet.


Louis,

Your welcome. Always like to share my ideas with you guys. I'm sure it's reusable if you contain it in a blasting cabinet. Mine is spread over part of the basement and other material. I'd have to sweep it up.

I have seen several home made cabinets for sand blasting and this looks like it'll work for what I'm doing.

Have fun and let us know how you make out with your equipment.

Bernd
BurleyJim Posted - 12/08/2016 : 9:43:32 PM
I like the Baking Soda media. That Silica sand is dangerous (Silicosis) and requires some serious breathing filtering. We used that in an auto body shop, I worked at as a kid and at a tool and die shop 40 years later. Nasty stuff.

Jim
desertdrover Posted - 12/08/2016 : 9:15:26 PM
Thanks for the information and email Bernd. I'll give the soda a try. Also, forgot to ask, is the soda used re-useable?
Glad you liked that link. I thought it would make a nice usable containment cabinet.
Bernd Posted - 12/08/2016 : 7:13:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by desertdrover

Bernd, I have a small sand blaster by Gilmour that I was never able to get sand for it. Are you saying that baking soda will do the same job for me?


I'm pretty sure it would work. Buy some soda and give it a try.

I just threw the one I pictured together quick like so I could get the boxcab's painted and done. The blast nozzle needs some refinement. It'll suck the 3oz. bottle empty in no time. I think I'll make a bigger hopper for it and a smaller nozzle. I'm hooked up to a 5hp 220volt two stage compressor with an 80 gallon tank in the garage.

Baking soda is a finer grit than the silica sand. It, baking soda, works nice on plastic. Gives it a bit of tooth also. Great for removing lettering too.


quote:
Also here is a link you might consider. http://www.letterville.com/steps/hines/ keeps the fog out of the basement.


Great find. I think I'll build me one of those.

@ Ed, ya it does fog up the basement. Then you have a salty taste in your mouth to. Looks like a sand blasting cabinet is in my future.

Bernd

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