Model Railway Forum

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:01 am If you have Xuron track cutters, superb, never use them to cut wire, it ruins them, I have an old pair to prove the point.

Me too. I wonder how many of us have two Xuron track cutters? R-

I bought mine when they first came out. They still cut OK, but I find I need to use a file after cutting so maybe they need a small sharpen to give them back the shears like edge.
Today they do a few more in the range so it is a little confusing. When I bought mine they only did the one type.

I have had my cutters ( only one pair) for 13 years. I sharpen them with a file, de temps en temps, but they are still very sharp. Have flexi shaft on my Maxicraft drill stand, which i use with Dremel discs, as well.

I have two pairs of ex GPO wire cutters issued to me in 1966. Not any good for track.

WTD, have dads Wooden handled BT screwdriver, his wax twine, cutters, pliars. Wax twine superb, although down to last one.

A ceramic tile.
(4” to 6”)

Very useful tool!

Mixing araldite type glue.

Paint palette, some paint eats the surface of the cutting mat! Don’t ask.....

And cutting brass etch (doesn’t crease/fold/kink).
Which does happen on the softer standard type cutting mats, especially with smaller items.

Can be easily scraped with (I use a Stanley blade) a good sharp edge, back to new.


I can’t believe nobody thinks a kettle is an important tool!

More than just tea! Warm water and steam have uses when dealing with resin parts. Steam is good for straightening items that have bowed from the mould.

Cocktail sticks and blu-tack!
Don’t forget good old fashioned wooden clothes pegs.
These last 3 items have formed the backbone of my toolkit for as long as I’ve been building kits!

Diamond files. Essential for brass.

In my view basic tools for the modeller are everything you can afford or get your hands on without exception.