Tools for Live steam

[cberkenbaugh]

A question for you, since I never seem to get any smarter when I ask questions at Caboose. I am running the Ruby Live steam engine, but I need to get some small tools so I can repair and adjust things, etc. Can you give me suggestions on what tools I should get (and where) for a steam engine? Is there a kit of tools I can buy, or if not can you suggest some key things I need to have? I am trying to use the wrong tools and need to stop before I break something important.

Second thing, I'd like to build some wooden cars that I can pull with the Ruby. Can I just buy the trucks mounted on a base, or do I build the whole car and then mount the trucks on the car? Do you know of any kits or plans available that I can use?

Thanks for your help, and good training!

[mcmillan]

Caboose Hobbies should have a small set of Metric Socket drivers by Wilha. I have a set of 7 which I use on the Ruby/Mimi. From 1.5mm to 4.0mm . A small smooth jaw needle nose pliers and a small forceps are great tools too. Small Phillips Screwdriver for the valve block screws. Small set of metric open end wrenches to fit the gas tank and jet fittings.

Ozark Miniatures make a set of small 4 wheel cars that are a nice fit behind the Ruby. They come complete with link and pin couplings . Just build , paint and you are ready to run. The flat car I have took about 12 hours to build and paint . The tool car took about 20 hours for the additional details it has on the deck. They are nice little cars and have some weight to them. Caboose Hobbies has had them in stock . If I can answer anymore questions, just ask. I look in about 2 times a week.

Yours , Charles M

[dymond]

i picked up some ingintion wrnechs at sears by craftsman-these come in combo and open ended sets-metirc (which i use) and standard english-

while i do not know the Ruby by use, and if open ended wrenchs are something that engine needs

-these tools are very nice and useful and about 20 per set of 8-10-i am using them on my new little steamer and really like them

i also buy blue label 3 in 1 for general lube (its about 20w versus 10 of red label

rags (never can have too many) and screwdrivers and a bit of electrical tape to avoid scarring with screwdrivers, syringes for steam oil and filling and emptying tanks

wd 40 to use as a general girt remover after running and before wiping down and re-lube

i imaingine too plyers or a small adjustble wrench could be handy

gloves

lighter

penetrating oil

and tweezers for the odd tiny screw insertion

thats all i can think of right now