Richlawn Railroad: The right tool for the job

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The right tool for the job

After doing a bunch of hand cutting for a structure I'm kitbashing I thought "there must be a better way".....and there is - a mini table saw. My company was nice enough to give me a bonus and I didn't want some of that money to go to waste, so Midge got some jewelry and I got a Proxxon mini table saw!

Check out the description & specs here:

www.minicrafttools.com/38070.html

I've already made some cuts with it in plastic using a 24 tooth carbide blade and it rocks! The only disadvantage is the width of the cut, which has to be taken into consideration. What used to take what seems forever with a hand saw now takes less than 10 seconds!

2 comments:

Scott G. PerryJanuary 30, 2010 at 6:22 PM
An excellent tool! Glad you were able to snag one. The mini table saw I have doesn't cut well. That kerf can be a pain. Enjoy!
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AnonymousJanuary 30, 2010 at 8:38 PM
Thanks, Scott.

I'm looking forward to using it and did use it today to cut a few plastic walls. The cut surface does require a little sanding, but even considering that it is FAST!

Rick
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Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts

A BIG Thanks to the members of NCIOG for their friendship, expertise, and great ideas that will definately make my railroad better!
Bricked-in windows - When modeling windows that have been bricked in, us a slightly different color for the filled in area and possibly offset the motar lines.
Cheap Z Scale Vehicles - Charms used on charm bracelets make great low cost vehicles, costing as little as $1.99 each. Cut of the attachment ring, paint, detail and you have a nice low cost Z scale vehicle.
Epoxy Aid - For irregular & difficult attachment problems, consider a "rope" style clay-like epoxy like QuikSteel (available at auto stores). Cut off a piece, kneed it with your fingers, roll in a ball and apply. It will fill gaps & allow for leveling.
Field Grass Homemade - Take some Woodland Scenics(tm) Field Grass and make a small bundle. Cut one end to get the length you want with the other end leave random lengths. While holding the bundle, put a drop of CA on the end you cut. Use CA Activator to speed up the drying process to a few seconds.
Ground foam applicator - Save small plastic milk jugs from fast food places. Drill holes in the top, label the contents, and use for applying foam with more control.
No Spill Liquids - Take a 2" thick piece of foam 2" x 2", cut out a hole in the center the size of the liquid container. Place the container in the hole and if will be harder to knock over and spill the contents.
Paint Faster - Use a squeeze bottle to store & apply paint to landscape. You don't have to dip the brush in the paint can & remove the excess - just sqeeze & brush!
Spray Paint Cans (From Scott P) - Label the color of the paint on the can lids & cans for easy idenfication when the lids are removed
Static Grass Flocker - Make your own for about $40. using "How To" from the web.
Weights Light on your wallet - For cheap weights save your tin cans (I use dog food cans) and fill them with Sackcrete motar mix (mixed according to instructions). They are great for holding down track while the glue dries.

Richlawn Railroad

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The right tool for the job

2 comments:

Rick's Pix