Large Scale Central

Wood Working Tools & Suggestions for a Newbie

Tools and Tips
#1

Hi everyone,

I have recently plunged into scratch building things for my trains, but I am finding that my lack of wood working experience is catching up with me. My most recent project is building a single stall engine house.

My main problem is figuring out how to properly rip wood strips. I think part of the problem is that I lack the appropriate tools. I have gotten by with a circular saw, jig saw, and a few hand saws. However, I have some lumber laying around that I would love to use and want to cut down to 1/4"x1/4" & 1/2"x1/2" at a range of lengths. I could buy the appropriate wood from the model shop, but I like the idea of doing it all my self. So far, I have the base of the engine stall completed (9.5" x 18").

I am really looking for any suggestions on tools (bandsaw or table saw) and any other suggestions/tips for someone with little wood working experience.

Other projects on the horizon: trestles, bridges, and a larger 2 engine stall.

Thanks in advance.

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#2

Proxxon makes a fantastic benchtop table saw that works a treat for ripping lumber in our scale.

MicroMark sells a Microlux one as well thatā€™s cheaper, but I dont have any experience with that one.

#3

Yeah, I got the similar (VERY similar) one from Micromark many years ago. Works very well at making scale lumber - though you are guaranteed to make a LOT of sawdust in doing so.

#4

FWIW I use a bandsaw:

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More pricey than the small table saw (like almost $900).

I was led to a bandsaw by Daniel Smith who claimed that table saws make circular marks, whereas band saws donā€™t. Since I donā€™t have both of them, I canā€™t verify that.

The scale lumber I end up making has a quite rough texture, which works for the era and setting of my railroad but may not work for you.

Setting up a band saw takes a bit of time and YouTube/Grizzly video watching. I have to say that I get some waviness to my cuts (it tends to want to follow the wood grain) so I donā€™t get perfect cuts. That goes well with the rough texture. It just adds character!

I am not an expert woodworker. Most I have is junior high wood shop from 50 years ago.

One other item you may want is a nail gun. It helps hold the wood in place while the glue driesā€¦

#5

I have made tons of scale lumber on my Micromark mini table saw. The trick is to use a ā€˜zero gapā€™ plate at the blade - they give you 2 plexiglass ones and you basically lift the blade under it while on and cut the gap exactly. Stops the wood falling into the saw and supports it.

I cut all the scale lumber for this wooden coal hopper on it:

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#6

Iā€™ve heard this from many others. I also hear that they are creating scale lumber. Funny thing about those two statements is the contradiction of reality. Saw mills do use large circular blades to cut lumber. :sunglasses:

#7

I have the Proxxon table saw, and I think itā€™s great.

However, if I really get into ripping a pile of lumber, Iā€™m probably going to get this bandsaw from Wen, put it out in the garage, hook the shop vac to it, and letter rip.

#8

Got one of those too Jim. Much safer then any table saw although the cuts can be a little rougher.

Doc

#9

Ed, one of the best guides for cutting scale lumber is here on my web site. I compiled this from two threads on another forum and reprinted with the owners permission. https://www.gscalejunkie.com/Articles/MillingScaleLumberRev-01.pdf

Personally I have a 10" table saw and a 16" band saw. I have used both and find I can cut more precise lumber on the table saw with better finish. I recently purchased one of these, but I havenā€™t gotten the opportunity to set it up and try it yet. Byrnes Model Machines - Thickness Sander This unit came HIGHLY recommended on one of the small scale fora and on model ship builders fora. Not cheap, but inspection on receipt, it is a stout built piece of gear.

A quick search on Youtube revealed a couple videos using this search ā€œcutting scale lumber for modelsā€. Watching a couple might offer some guidance.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

2 Likes
#10

Ed, I think all the information given above is great advice. The only thing I will add is if I were going to buy my first stationary power tool, it would be a tablesaw. With experience, thereā€™s simply not much you canā€™t do with one. Now, I have no experience with the hobby saws mentioned above but both are made by reputable companies. Like Bob, I have a fully stocked woodworking shop that includes a 10ā€ tablesaw and 21 inch bandsaw. I make lots of scale lumber all on the tablesaw. Yes, in most instances I make more sawdust than lumber but that is a sacrifice Iā€™m willing to make. I hope you find what you are looking for and remember, donā€™t hesitate to ask questions. We are all more than glad to help.

#11

So Iā€™ve used the following:
Full sized table saw with zero clearance insert
Micro Mark mini table saw ( the smaller of the two they sell)
Byrnes Table Saw

Hands down the Byrnes table saw is the best. But it comes at a price. I routinely slice .010" sections with ease. The kerf of the saw .020" is bigger than the piece Iā€™m cutting!

A full sized table saw with a zero clearance plate will handle scale lumber but youā€™ll have a lot of waste due to the kerf of the blades.

If you donā€™t have space for a full sized saw, a hobby saw will do the job but I never could get the accuracy I wanted ( and the table was too small) with the Mircolux saw.

#12

I use my 10" table saw with a zero clearance insert, feather boards and the Rockler Thin Rip Tablesaw Jig. I also usually use a thin kerf fine finish ripping blade.

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#13

Bob, thank you so much. That PDF is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you for sharing that with me.

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#14

Thank you Dan. The big concern I had was finding a tool that would allow me to do a variety of things and be useful for other projects around my house. Thank you for the information.

#15

Thank you for the information Craig!

#16

Awesome. This is great information. Thank you!

#17

Thanks Cliff. I am going to look into these tools.

#18

Great! Thanks for the information and some added pictures for context! Looks great!

#19

Thank you for this information and the link Jim.

#20

Thank you for sending me this, Bob. I really appreciate it!