Tool Categories

We'll categorize tools in the following fashion:

1. Safety Equipment
2. The Beginner's Toolbox
3. Cutting Tools
4. Screwdrivers
5. Pliers
6. Wrenches
7. Tweezers
8. Files
9. Measuring Devices
10. Adhesives
11. Clamping
12. Painting
13. Heavy Tools
14. Power Tools
15. Specialty Tools
16. Scale Specific Tools
17. Optical & Magnafication
18. Storage
19. Workshop
20. Other

How Tools Are Rated

I've developed this simple system for rating train tools.

A tool is rated by:

• Skill Level
• Utility
• Hazard Level
• Cost
  

Skill Level:

• B = Beginner Modelers.  These are usually primary tools like screwdrivers.
• I = Intermediate Modelers.  This is a tool that requires some skill like an airbrush.
• A = Advanced Modelers.  This is something that takes great skill such as a lathe.

 Usefulness of the Tool:

1. Mandatory - included in a beginner's toolbox
2. Highly Desirable - most every model railroader has one
3. Desirable - if you have a layout or build lots of models, you should have one
4. Convenient - more specialized; for scratchbuilders, large layouts, scale specific, etc.
5. Specialty - only used for very special and limited applications

Hazard Level:

     A.  Not hazardous
     B. Minimal hazard unless intentionally misued
     C. Hazardous if accidently misused and may require common safety equipment
     D. Very hazardous - must use caution and safety equipment and/or procedures
     E. Extremely hazardous - maybe hazardous even when using extreme caution


Cost of the Tool:

• $ = less than $5.00
• $$ = between $5 and $25
• $$$ = between $25 and $50
• $$$$ = between $50 and $100
• $$$$$ = over $100

The rating for a tool will be shown in the Title such as:

Airbrush I3D$$$$

I for Intermediate level modeler
3 for level of usefulness, desirable
D for very hazardous, mostly because of the flammable paints that can be used
$$$$ for a cost of $50 to $100

If you don't agree with a rating that I give a tool, I'm glad to discuss it!  I'm always interested in your input and glad to change a rating that doesn't make sense.

Welcome To the Traintools Blog

Back in November of 2002 I started the popular Traintools blog.  Quickly I found out that a majority of the model railroaders out there are tool junkies like me!

Blogging has become a great way for me to share my hobby experiences and for record keeping.  Currently I have quite a few blogs such as...

The Dixie Central - a circular project layout in HO
Building The Okefenokee Swamp RR - my personal layout in On30
The Model Railroader's Notebook - my long running website now a blog
The Georgia Northeastern - an HO layout based on the real railroad
The Heart of Georgia (HOG) - a wildly popular HO beginner's layout for operations
Layout Design Blog - from my old days as a layout designer

So join us as I attempt to catalog every single tool in my collection and describe tips and techniques that will help both of us become better model railroaders!

Scott Perry