Any hints on building or repairing trains or layouts to share?

Hi Charlie,

  Good topic. Probably not what you are looking for, but I will mention JB Weld epoxy is great for metal on metal repairs. I've been able to affix plenty of marker lights and for this loco used it to reinforce a broken pilot assembly. 

  I've mentioned before the golf tees work well if you have a pegboard around your workbench. Insert the golf tees in the pegboard and you can hang parts, tools, whatever. 

Tom 

MNCW

Yes I also use JB Weld metal filled epoxy for any repair on metal. 

Another metal filled epoxy is MarineTex, it is thicker and more putty like.  I find it superior to mold and used it to rebuild die cast broken parts on an old 1940-50s Delta 24 inch jigsaw.  It has been used to repair cracked engine blocks on boat motors in the field and get people home as it fills holes and sets up and cures much faster than  J B Weld.  I used MarineTex in 1960's to fix a 1/2 inch gash in the front bottom of an aluminum boat.  We were lucky to get home with the leak as we were 2 miles up a bayou.

Charlie

See missing piece and cracks in the seal housing of Delta Jigsaw

Before filing and shaping and painting

"Any hints on building or repairing trains or layouts to share?"

Isn't that what this entire forum is about actually?

Rod

Jig or Scroll Saws Hint

This brings up another hint of mine. I find a stationary jig or scroll saw to be very useful tool for model building and layout building.  I have used one as a kid from age 8 or so and a Craftsman 18 inch jigsaw was the first tool I bought when I had my first house.  It is now in my shop. I have the 24 inch Delta above in my garage and another 18 Craftsman jigsaw ready to go to the grandkids. They are great for kids as they will not cut off fingers as the cut slow but can slowly cut 2 x 4's and teach patience.

Charlie