Tools, tips and tricks
(Show us your) Fascia Labelling
Good morning.
Recently, I hosted an ops session. I am very new to operations and I'm learning the hard way that people who are new to operating my layout can't read my mind. New Operator: "Hey, where is Waterbury Card Board Box Company?" Me: "It's right in front of you." New Operator: "What number is that switch." Me: "..."
History of the Screwdriver
We all use screwdrivers in our hobby (and other work). I thought this history of the screwdriver was quite fascinating, .....and might be so for other modelers.
Displaying paint and old turntables
I got tired of not being able to see what color of paint I wanted to use so I took all of my bottles of paint off of 2 turntables and spread them out on my workbench. I can't leave them there and I'd like to repurpose the turntables. Any ideas on how to store the paint bottles so they're out of the way but readily handy and visible? Any ideas on how to repurpose single and double stack turntables?
Learn the basics using oil paints for realistic weathering
Hi! In this video we´re expanding your weathering toolbox by introduction of oil paints, sk artist paints. In three easy steps: 1) Pin wash 2) Streaking and 3) Dry brushing.
Mount/Work Box for NCE PowerCab
The small size of NCE's PowerCab DCC system makes it ideal for taking to the workbench - or even taking to a show. But not being mounted to anything makes its ungainly components a bit inconvenient to manage. So I made a foamcore box to mount all the stuff to - and was even able to include the USB interface so I could use the PowerCab for programming.
Updates to my website
Two new items:
I have updated the full feature MS Access database to generate car cards and waybills, the previous one had issues printing color stripes on the waybills:
https://wnbranch.com/home/operations/operations-car-forwarding/
I have started a glossary, I will add some images and plan to expand the content on a regular basis:
https://wnbranch.com/glossary-2/
Cutting build-up structures
I have bought some already finished buildings, which I intend to use near the backdrop. Both side are "fronts"
I want to cut these buildings in half to have a street twice as long. Has anybody here done that before? What kind of saw shall I use? Would it make sense to strengthen the cutting lines to get a clear cut?
Carsten
Hamburg, Germany
Ground lights and step lights. (Renamed!)
Even though my workbench is currently the dining table in the motorhome work continues.
I’ve been busy making working ground lights and step lights. The current approaches to these lights up until now may well be vastly improved by using these ready to install or basic kit fixtures.
Corner clamp
What suggestions do you all have for a good corner clamp for holding structure corners square and tight while glue dries?
Stripwood Storage Idea
A recent article in Model Railroad Hobbyist got me thinking about my own disorganized system of storing strip wood conveniently. The article went on to show a beautifully planned and executed storage rack, and I posted a comment some might have characterized as "snarky" about the time and effort it took to create the storage rack (taking time away from the real hobby) and the efficiency of use of the desktop/countertop space required for the horizontal storage rack. Mea culpa! if anyone viewed my comments that way. My bad.
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