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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Exclamation Model Railroader needs help with tool selection

    Morning all;

    I have just recently returned from a long stint overseas (US) and with the family residing in the Brunswick area of Melbourne.

    I am a mad keen model railroader (building layouts, etc) and I am wondering if there are any other modellers out there who mightbe able to give me an idea of the tools, and or techniques they use to build model railway layouts using ply, and so on.

    I am planning on building a couple of layouts during the next two years and will be building them based a on thin ply outers (5mm-6mm) with an interior stiffener of 12mm ply blocks 50mm wide and as high as 100mm depending on the design of the baseboard frame.

    My aim is to not only build 1200 x 450mm boards but also to build curved boards using the method mentioned above.

    So any tips you might be able to give me on quality power tools to speed the build time (I was reading about Band Saws this morning which kicked off this thread idea) would be of great benefit.
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    There was a series just recently on Foxtel called "Workin' on the Rails" that was all about model railway construction, scenery etc etc Was very good- might be worth keeping an eye out for it - it is probably available on DVD or something, and it is much easier to learn when watching, rather than reading.

    A bandsaw will be a godsend - but make sure it is quality - the really cheap ones are not worth the money

    A cheap thicknesser (GMC $199) would also come in handy.

    Given you will likely be making model buildings, vehicles etc etc, a scrollsaw would also be good - they can cost as little as $50, but again, you get what you pay for.
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    campbelltown NSW
    Age
    67
    Posts
    623

    Default

    G'Day Martin,
    Not really model r/road, but I make scenery for my son and his club, they play 40K WarHammer, and numerous other table top games. I use all the same stuff as r/roader's do flock, gravel etc it's just put together different. I make bunkers, ruined buildings space craft (operational and wrecks), landscape, mountains and the list goes on. Apart from this I make all the odd bits and pieces that you can't buy, like spent brass shell casings to look like a fire fight, different size drums, steel girders and plate steel. Funny though I don't play the game I just like to make the stuff and see the kids having fun.

    I would love to have a railroad to keep me amused but the wife might kill me if I asked....

    I use a lot of styrene for structures and ply for bases to mount it onto, some really good effects can be had with the right colour's and an air brush.
    savage(Eric)

    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
    Age
    84
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    Andrew
    There will be a Model Railway Exhibition on October 28-29th at Sunbury Memorial Hall - You might pick up a few hints there.
    Also might be worthwhile buying or subscribing to Australian Model Railway Magazine - should be able to pick it up at any decent newsagent as Oct issue is out now.
    The Buffer Stop 535 Plenty Rd Preston (near Wood St) is probably the nearest hobby shop to you.
    I built a layout a few years ago and did not have many machines at that stage so it was done with hand tools. It is chipboard on top of pine frame and like most layouts it is still not finished.
    Hope that helps
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    Forgot to mention - a good jigsaw, and a rotary tool (dremel style) are both invaluable.
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Stuart;

    Thanks for the assistance. I am hoping to be able to look into buying some machinery later this year, or perhaps early next year. As we live in a townhouse complex noise needs to be kept to a livable level and some discussions followed on other parts of the list suggest that a bandsaw is much quieter than a tablesaw.

    How well does a bandsaw rip materials - such as ply? My guru Norm from New Yankee Workshop seems to use a TS much more - yet I read that a BS does the job just as well. Thoughts? A good jogsaw and a dremel are not a problem. I bought all the dremel accessories I could manage prior to leaving the US as well as the 7.2 volt cordless unit (available here too). I just have to buy the corded unit now to complete that section of the modelling tool kit.

    Would I really need a thicknesser, and what would you suggest that I use it for?

    Thanks again for your help.
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Stuart;

    I missed working on the rails. Is that the US program? If so it is my understanding that they just wrapped the second season of that this month and that it will be coming forward soon.

    Any ideas where I might get the original from? Could you name a shop or shops (in melbourne) that might be able to help?
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Default

    @echo off
    begin off topic

    Savage;
    Save yourself the grief of building your own layout and upsetting the wife - join a model railroad club in your area. Then you get to go hang out with the lads (and occasionally lasses) who love model railways too!

    end off topic
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Default

    @echo off
    begin off topic

    Chesand;

    I'll be at Sunbury - most likely on the Sunday at this stage. Not much MR action in Melbourne in between now and then. Bummer. Plenty over the last couple of months though to keep me busy.

    Not been up to the buffer stop yet. Though hoping to get there in the next few weekends. Need some more money in the modelling account before I do that. There is another store over in Airport West - not to far from me either owned by a member of the club I am looking at being associated with. Not dropped by there either yet.

    end off topic
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by iandrewmartin View Post
    Stuart;

    Thanks for the assistance. I am hoping to be able to look into buying some machinery later this year, or perhaps early next year. As we live in a townhouse complex noise needs to be kept to a livable level and some discussions followed on other parts of the list suggest that a bandsaw is much quieter than a tablesaw.

    How well does a bandsaw rip materials - such as ply? My guru Norm from New Yankee Workshop seems to use a TS much more - yet I read that a BS does the job just as well. Thoughts? A good jogsaw and a dremel are not a problem. I bought all the dremel accessories I could manage prior to leaving the US as well as the 7.2 volt cordless unit (available here too). I just have to buy the corded unit now to complete that section of the modelling tool kit.

    Would I really need a thicknesser, and what would you suggest that I use it for?

    I missed working on the rails. Is that the US program? If so it is my understanding that they just wrapped the second season of that this month and that it will be coming forward soon.

    Any ideas where I might get the original from? Could you name a shop or shops (in melbourne) that might be able to help?
    A bandsaw is much quieter than a circular saw, although the induction motors of a good tablesaw would be as quiet. (Not that I have one ) A TS is better than ripping, and particularly for large sheets.

    Workin' on the Rails is the US program - haven't seen it as a DVD, but everything else seems to be available on DVD!
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
    Age
    84
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    The Railfan Shop in the city could be worth trying for DVD's etc.
    On the corner of Flinders Lane and Market St
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Adelaide Hills
    Age
    66
    Posts
    3,803

    Default

    For building a model railway layout you definitely dont need a thicknesser.

    You can get by with a jigsaw, circular saw and a cordless drill. Bandsaw can be useful but not essential.

    Cheers Martin
    Whatever note you blow youre never more than a semitone away from the correct one....(Miles Davis)

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    Can come in handy though....
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Stratford, New Zealand
    Age
    61
    Posts
    734

    Default

    Haven't done any model railway stuff, but have done a bit of wargame modelling for the boys.
    A little bandsaw and thicknesser were very usefull, you can rip common cheap wood down to small sizes and thickness it to make scale parts for buildings and bridges etc
    For dealing with large sheets of ply and MDF, a normal handheld circle saw and jig saw will do fine. A good straightedge and a couple of clamps will make life easier.
    A Dremel is good for any modelling of course, also a scroll saw and a small router / table may be usefull too.

    Once you get all that stuff you better throw in a shop vac too to clean up the mess

    Cheers

    Ian

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Ballarat, VIC
    Age
    60
    Posts
    23

    Default

    OK Kiwigeo;

    I appreciate your thoughts on this one. I had leaned that way in the states with a 7/14" circular saw, and so on. Now the question is: what brands and what voltages for cordless tools (which are my preference)? And where to buy them from for someone in Mlebourne who does not own an infernal combustion engined appliance?
    Yours sincerely

    I Andrew Martin
    www.martin-family.ws
    Mad keen model railroader - working in wood

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