Small scale tools, where to buy...

Harbor freight is a good place to start. I use this set a lot and will cover all of the smallest fasteners. You may need a set of nutdrivers slightly larger.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...river-set-93916.html

Also get set of JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) screwdrivers. They fit the "phillips" head screws much better. Not sure if Harbor Freight stocks them. I got mine from McMaster Carr.

Pete

I use 1/4" drive metric sockets and a 1/4" drive screwdriver handle.  I have 'em down to 4mm, haven't needed anything smaller as yet.  Mine are from a Craftsman set bought ~40 years ago for the bike shop, but I've seen similar items for cheap at bleepmart.

Pete

Wiha drivers are quality German tools made of a chrome-vanadium alloy available in English or Metric. I have a number of their hex and hex nut drivers as well as their Phillips and regular screwdrivers. Highly recommended!

American Science and Surplus also often has very small tools for reasonable prices. They've had a watchmaker's tool kit for awhile now that has some interesting and useful micro-tools in it.

Fire Mountain is a jeweler's supply, and they have (definitely NOT inexpensive, but good) tiny screwdrivers and other tools as well as a very wide range of Dremel and flex shaft accessories. If you need padded handles or other ergonomic help, they might be a good place to look. Excellent customer service, by the way.

The Wiha tools fit both Lionel and LGB trains and are relatively inexpensive!

Micro-Mark Specializes in all kinds of small tools.    they seem to cater primarily to the hobby builders of all kinds.   They also have some kits and train parts.

A few yrs back I bought one of these mini drill press's to make a certain part for old Harley speedometers. Since I started building another layout, I carried it down in my basement along w/ a set numbers of numbered drill bits. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-...a:g:G3QAAOSwY3BZJfhs

prrjim posted:

Micro-Mark Specializes in all kinds of small tools.    they seem to cater primarily to the hobby builders of all kinds.   They also have some kits and train parts.

X2, Micro Mark is on line, and convenient. Plus there are several other sources on the web, Ebay, etc.

Bogie

Norton wrote:

"Also get set of JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) screwdrivers. They fit the "phillips" head screws much better. Not sure if Harbor Freight stocks them. I got mine from McMaster Carr."

I second that recommendation. JIS drive screws do look very much like phillips drive screws, but they are made to a different specification, and Phillips screwdrivers fit poorly. If you use a Phillips driver on a JIS screw, sometimes the screw will be damaged.  

I think I purchased my JIS screwdrivers on EBay. I went for a name brand, Vessel.

I also have a set of Pozidriv screwdrivers in my tool kit. I think I got those from McMaster Carr.

The last time I looked, neither Harbor Freight nor Sears carried either type (and our local Sears is gone).

Micro-Mark. Warning, their catalogs are addictive. If I casually browse, I wind up folding down half the pages - so I usually open it with a hard target.

Jeff,

Dont forget about Berlands House of Tools. They have every size of every tool you can think of...I can spend hours walking in circles around that place ....

I love Micro Mark for small tools. 

Every small tool I've bought came from Micro Mark. They're a great hardware store for the hobbyist .  

I love Micro Mark too.. for mail order... but sometimes you just can't wait... then it's Berlands.

Look up Chapman Tools, I’ve used their tools on minor gunsmithing projects. Excellent quality, made in the USA, and reasonably priced. 

Keith 

Look up Chapman Tools, I’ve used their tools on minor gunsmithing projects. Excellent quality, made in the USA, and reasonably priced.

I have a set of their gunsmithing screwdriver bits too.

Here is an interesting application:
I am working on a postwar 2340 GG-1 with battery damage. Some of the battery gunk leaked onto the power truck on that end, and fused the side frame and its mounting screw together.  I put the truck through multiple trips through an ultrasonic cleaner, and then kept the parts wet with a rust breaker for days. The screw still would not turn with a standard screw driver.
Finally I got out my gunsmith set, and picked a bit that was almost an exact fit for the slot. I had to be slow and careful, but the screw came right out.

By the way, I think screwdrivers and driver bits are one of the tools where it pays to buy good quality. Cheap ones often don't fit the screws well, and can damage them as they self-destruct

Micro-Mark is my go-to source for small hobby tools and related materials, and I also have bought a number of On30 trains through them.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Found a set of Wiha's on Amazon that fit the bill.

How do they do same day delivery!? 

I find this drill press at Harbor Freight great. I don't have to lower or lift the motor head instead I do a plate that is a lot lighter. 

https://www.harborfreight.com/...;utm_campaign=122017

Jeff T posted:

Thanks for all the suggestions. Found a set of Wiha's on Amazon that fit the bill.

How do they do same day delivery!? 

You'll really like the Wiha set - but you need both metric for modern and imperial for the older engines.

many distribution centers and an enormous distribution network

Nice leads for small screw drivers. I need size help though. I want to replace 3rd Rail SS E-7 pilot as delivered with optional closed pilot. The screws are smaller than any screwdriver I have. What size are these tiny screws-so I can target the proper set?  I need to be precise so I don’t strip the screws in place. 

Thanks !  TrainBub 

Found this interesting review on phillips head screw drivers for Vessel, JIS, Wiha, Frearson, Hozan :

https://www.webbikeworld.com/h...screwdrivers-review/

Thank you for posting a link to the write-up on JIS screwdrivers.
I just checked my Vessel "JIS" screwdrivers, and I do not see any markings that they are "JIS".
My first set came from Amazon.com, where they are still listed as "JIS".
I accidentally got a second set from McMaster-Carr, which were also sold as "JIS". 

One of several interesting points in the article:

"Also, it is said (we said it) that JIS screw head slots have a shallower depth, preventing the taller head design of a Phillips head screwdriver to properly grip the sides of the fastener."
 

Before I purchased my Vessel screwdrivers, I saw this problem when using a Craftsman #1 Phillips head screwdriver. I ground just a bit off the end, and the fit was greatly improved.

I have the same problem on the screws on Fastrack turnouts. No matter how small the phillips, it doesn't seat well. I'll look for the JIS drivers. Very helpful thread..

My wife gave me the most fantastic small multi-purpose screwdriver you could ever imagine for Christmas.

The Worx  WX255L.2  from QVC

Watch this instructional video - great!

https://www.qvc.com/WORX-4V-Li...productNumber=v34850

Merry Christmas to all

bruce