Which power tools did/do you use most when building your bench-work? I'm going to be moving and don't really want to move all my tools because I'm not planning on all the DIY projects I once performed. But I plan on building a layout so i want to keep what I will need most.
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Jig saw, electric drill, cordless drill with countersink bit for flush fit wood screws, 200/250 watt weller soldering gun for soldering track leads, 7-1/4 inch radial saw to cur 1/2 inch plywood sheet widths.
Keep the small tools. If you have a table saw, power miter saw and router table you'll miss them, but you can live without them. Definitely keep the Shop Vac.
If you have a scroll saw, that will come in handy, but take more space than you will have. That would be tough one. Find a place for the vise.
Tough to answer question. It may be better to list items that you are considering disposing.
You could build a layout with one bag of battery tools deal at the home store. Do other tools make it easier, faster, and better looking? Yes. But you know the story.
First on any list should be a good "square" and a long "straight edge".
Coach:
This may be counter intuitive but chances are if you leave something behind, two days after you move in you may be kicking yourself in the butt as you drive to Home Depot. You should look at every tool and say to yourself what do I use this for and will I likely use it for the train layout or to fix something in the house. Any doubts take the tool with you. You can always sell it after your move in.
Some things are actually a no brainer - I know it is not a tool you are talking about but the place I moved to I made sure there was no grass so the lawn mower stayed! However I screwed up and left the weed whacker also hence a butt kicking trip to Home Depot............
Joe
PLCProf posted:I'd think long and hard about store-bought benchwork. Then you would just need small home repair/scenery type tools.
I like PLCProf's idea here. That is what I did when we moved 3 years ago. I ordered a Mianne kit then had Home Depot cut the 1/2" plywood top into smaller pieces I could handle. The Mianne bench work requires only a #3 Phillips screw driver and a level to put together and adjust the legs for level. It goes together very quickly and it's very easy to assemble. I started with a 6'x16' kit and it took about 8 hours or so to assemble, go get the plywood, install it and have it ready for track. Very nice too.
I did keep a couple of battery drills, soldering iron, heat gun and all of my hand tools, mostly all small stuff though. I had a table saw, radial arm saw, jointer, routers, sanders, etc. that I sold off before we moved. We moved to a new home that is pretty much maintenance free. I won't be doing any anymore woodworking or stuff like that so we lightened the load quite a bit before moving. So far what I have missed the most is all the scrap lumber I got rid of.
Ditto on comments above! Keep tools. There are more things in life other than model railroads; and you will want them. I plead with my mom to keep all of my dad's tools after he passed. She gave them to me saying she wouldn't need any. How many times have I returned something to her new place? Several times! Now she says: "I should have kept some." YES.
Powered miter saw, a Kreg Tool, and a battery powered drill motor (with at least one extra battery).
Thanks guys. As I said once I move I'm not really looking to do any more Do it yourself home improvements so I really don't want to be moving a whole work shop that I probably won't have room for any way. Small table saw, sawzall, circular saw, power mitre saw, roto zip saw, circular saw, assorted hand saws, jig saw, I don't believe I'll need that many different saws to build a layout. And like RTR12, I've got a router, sanders, and a drill press that i really don't see myself using that much any more. Having the Home depot cut the plywood down to managable sizes saves alot of cutting and I've contemplated The Mianne bench work but it seems kind of pricey. However not knowing the size of the layout at this time I haven't priced out lumber for a traditional bench work. The difference may not be that great. Gilly, what is a Kreg tool? and what did you use it for?
You may also want to check out Model Train Benchwork. He is a forum sponsor and located in Fl. he can make your pieces and deliver them or build it all for you. Nice material and craftsmanship and less freight cost than Mianne.
A couple of things about the Mianne benchwork that when considered makes the price more reasonable, at least to me it makes sense. It's very easy and very fast, no sawdust or mess. It includes all the hardware you need even the brackets to attach the plywood top (just no plywood) so no trips to the hardware store. Each leg has a nice leveling foot. Depending on size you can be ready for track in a day or two. It can also be easily customized to meet your needs. Like extra shelving below, shelving for transformers, etc. and they will do some customizing for you (if it doesn't require extra parts) at no extra charge. It is made with good quality hardwood (Poplar) and either Masonite or MDF (I forget which?) that doesn't twist and warp like the boards from Home Depot or Lowes. Personally I like the look of it and think it looks very nice when assembled. My wife has even asked about making a table out of it although we haven't yet ordered one. Probably would make a very nice craft table.
The last thing that really sold me was that it's easily re-configurable (without wasting what you have already purchased, you can just re-configure it) if you want to add on or make changes later on. That is exactly what I was planning to do from the beginning. Get something I could run trains on and then work out a larger track plan and convert to the new plan. Mianne will also help you with the re-configuration. That is if that is even of interest to you. Mianne is also a forum sponsor.
I am pretty well sold on Mianne (in case yo hadn't yet noticed 
). However, the benchwork that Moonman mentioned above would also be worth checking out, but I don't know anything about it. He is pretty good with layouts and knows quite a lot about them so I am sure it's probably a good place to look at. Which ever way you choose to go I wish you luck and may you have a very nice and enjoyable layout when you get finished. I think the most important thing is to get what you like and fits your needs so you will be happy with it down the road.
I live at the end of the earth and we have to build everything ourselves.
I know not everyone likes this type of Benchwork but I build all kinds to suit the job.
I am not a tradesman just a bloke that likes working with his hands and sometimes his brain!
Making a jig for modules is always a good idea I built a large table and made a jig that way everything comes out the same.
Benchwork is very basic work 
you just have to have the space and a few tools.
Roo.
Over the years I have built many layouts mainly for myself a couple for my friends I do it because I like it I don't get paid for my labour just the materials I would never turn my hobby into a business I like to relax. I use clear pine for frames no knots no twists I select all my pieces myself even if I have to sort through 50 pieces to get what I want everything is glued and screwed I have some benchwork (not Much! ) on the layout that is still going after 25 years.
I have also a O scale module layout that I am building that is portable it's a long term project one of many. A good drop or Docking saw is important for square ends the rest is up to you when I first started I did everything by hand including screwing the screws in 50 years ago, now you have all power tools that some can be bought real cheap if you are only building one layout, if your like me and build all the time buy good quality tools.
So a good large table that you can build jigs on a good Docker some power tools and you can be happy and proud that you done it yourself of course being a tool fanatic helps Ha, Ha.
Otherwise buy ready built kits nothing wrong with that and you can get going real quick because after all the real goal is to have a railroad not spend all your time in the workshop.
Take care.
.
Roo.
Coach:
A Kreg tool is used to make pocket holes - a lot of wood workers use it if they want to hide screws. I have used them on my layout benchwork to attach "cross beams" thereby eliminating hangers
If you look closely you will see the pocket hole joinery.
Joe
Joe thanks for answering about the Kreg Tool. Sorry I'm slow getting back to you about this. Coach, you listed a ton of tools. With the list I gave, I built the bench work in my train room. Mianne is very nice, however I personally do not care for the cam-lock fasteners. Give me glued and screwed joints any day!
Power Tools I use most often building my layout: Table Saw, Bosch 6 amp Jig Saw, Power Mitre saw 10 inch, Makita 18 Volt cordless Drill and matching driver with extra batteries.
Neville, thanks for sharing your support systems. Awesome , solid, well thought out, neatly constructed and I like the flat black application. The drawers for equipment storage are a part of the organized home made system. While home made is not for everyone, one should never underestimate the power of the creative process. Truly satisfying.
Chop rotary saw , drill, tape measure ,hardware, glue and patience are your friends.
thanks, Pierre
Don't underrate a good, sharp, hand saw. I've used mine lots of times when a quick cut is just easier than going to the power saw.
Dennis
Thanks for all the input.
I like building everything myself, too. But, when I was still in the Army and living in a little rented place with my wife ... I decided buying ready-cut benchwork made sense for me. I used SIEVERS BENCHWORK.
But, the neighborhood lumber place did precision cuts of both plywood and Homosote for me ... which made it really easy.
Good luck.
Never heard of Sievers. Thanks for the input Jim. I looked at their website - very nice especially the fact that everything is bolted together.
Joe
If I was moving (I hope not) but if I was and knew I would be building a layout at the new site, I would hang on to all the tools. As the layout takes shape getting rid of tools is easy, getting new replacement tools that I left behind would be expensive and frustrating. Nobody mentioned a band saw, but I bought a cheapo Harbor Freight one for around $150 and use it still. I also use the Kreg screws but in a different way than on the benchwork, I use it for track road bed pieces. Russ
To do roadbed you need to insure a flat joint, I use the method shown below:
That Kreg tool looks like a really neat addition! Can someone show us a pic of the tool itself, and maybe how its used? 
Thanks, Rod
Rod Stewart posted:That Kreg tool looks like a really neat addition! Can someone show us a pic of the tool itself, and maybe how its used?
Thanks, Rod
here you are KREG TOOL
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