What is your most indispensable tool you use for model railroading?

This stanley #0 and #1 combination magnetic screwdriver. The majority of screws in O guage are either #1 or#0 and being magnetized they stay on the driver.

Absolutely a must have when doing loco repairs.

There are certainly better ones, but this one is handy, the bits are well made and don't strip, and its small enough to prevent over-torquing.

Either way, no matter what brand, just get yourself #0 and #1 MAGNETIC screwdrivers.

Yup.....for me, too.....a magnetized screwdriver.

Peter

May be an off the wall response to this question, but to me the computer is indispensable. Best source known to mankind to obtain an answer to just about any question related to our hobby.

I have in my possession

 an antique slotted screw driver.

that's about 7-8" long with

a wooden handle. I use it everytime

I pull apart a postwar locomotive.

it has become my most used,

and favorite, tool.

Brian nailed it but I will be a bit more specific.

You can have any tool you want, if you don't know where the problem is or what to do to fix it, you are SOL.

This Forum is the #1 tool for me. (I've had computers since before most people knew what they were.)

I use the the most powerful tool in the world ---- imagination!

I always need a full cup of coffee. After that it is good repair manuals, high quality screwdrivers and my favorite tweezers. Plus good working light as I get older is essential.

All the best,

Miketg

The computer first and for most, after that a good repair person.

My answer was going to be magnetic philips-head screw driver.

but I can't argue with how useful the internet is!

There are several items I could mention, but I’ll go with a good wire stripper/crimping tool.

Once I started doing lots of wiring, having a higher quality tool (as opposed to some of the cheapies) really made a difference.

Bottle of Crown Royal.  With that, the wife's 'suggestions' just seem to fade into the background...............  Other than that, for the layout it's a cordless drill.  For trains I agree, it's a good set of small MAGNETIZED screwdrivers.

You guys are missing one.....................THE DREMEL TOOL!!!!

Hard to pick just one but I'd have to agree the computer as #1.  It's what I used to learn about all the others.

--Greg

Dremel Tool.

Actually the vast majority of all the screws used in the assembly of most all of the manufacturers products are jis-head and NOT philips-head. Go to a Granger Supply and purchase the set of small jis screw-drivers, and you will have a LOT LESS trouble with damaged head screws.

his stands for Japan Industrial Standard, and those screws are used throughout Korea and China, and have been for decades.

My computer, screw drivers, wire cutters, my fingers and the Forum.

Woodland Scenics White Glue

Boxcar Bill

OP Here Very Impressive and I'm very jealous!

Maybe I could just send my stuff over to you!

Since I run strictly conventional, I would have to say the main tool I use is my hand on the handle of my Z-4000(s).

Tony Sincius

TCA# 97-45101

Swiss Army knife

I'd have to say it depends on what part of the hobby, because for different aspects, I'd say a different tool.

Research, help, and buying.... my computer.

For general repair & maintenance.... small Phillips head screw driver

Heavy construction... cordless drill

Kit building... glue accelerator   

Painting & weathering..... air brush

Gotta go with the majority....I would be lost without my computer.....just had a 1 hour power outage in NJ and while I was researching a problem I was having with a gar grave switch, i lost internet connectivity.   Some how the old encyclopedia we all had as kids don't quite make it!

pete

AND

Jerry

I was repairing trains long before I got a computer.  But of course I do use it now for research.

I'll add to my list and as has been mentioned:

Dremel tool, both battery powered (used most) and electric

Multimeter

Quality nut drivers

All the Repair Guides I've accumulated

Being a retired Army helicopter mechanic/test pilot/maintenance officer when I see "tool" my mind goes to 'maintenance' and repair.

My most used tool for model railroad is a pipette.

Don't think I could name just one indispensable tool, it more like a couple of dozen.

ALL NUMBER ONE when it is needed.

The 4 lbs. paper weight between my ears.

This forum.

At my age, without a OptiVisor I couldn't find the tools.

My wallet and credit cards are the most used tools for my layout

A door lock.

Scott Smith

Guys,

There are 3 for me. 1. my eyes they allow me to appreciate and spot problem areas

          2. my computer it allows me to be connected with my friends(you all)

          3. my interchangeable flat/Phillips head screwdriver.

Mike Maurice

Amen to that Charlie.

That would be at the top of my list.

Not sure it is what you have in mind, but in terms of how often I use 'em, 3.25X reading glasses - I have six sets since I tend to absent-mindedly lay them down in places and then can't find them.  I wear them about 80% of the time when in my workshop.  

As to actual tools, probably an X-Acto knife with a #11 blade - they there are so many other good canididates..

When I get frustrated and nothing else works, I use this for plan B

www.homedepot.com/p/ROCKFORGE-...2520546#.UnQs_I1vto4

Dale H

Hello guys and gals.......

I would say......... My trusty DREMEL tool.

the woman who loves the S.F.5011,2678

Tiffany

I agree. I use mine for research, upgrading command control, layout designing, uploading videos to YouTube, and keeping track of what trains I have. I take it with me when I go down to the club.