Previous thread

This topic has been going on and off for some time in this thread:

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/strangest-place-you-ever-worked-on-a-model-12196310

Glue

Greg - I found some small bottles to put my glue inside for added insurance. When traveling we often have to deal with TSA so have to buy glues where ever we end up but still bring the bottles. You never know what will happen in the car when rummaging around or if altitude changes make a new project that now includes the entire case, or just a drawer.

You do have a nice little box. On30 makes for some large models so my box has fewer drawers but bigger ones. Always looking for a better traveling box and think about the expensive tool boxes at the big box stores - maybe one day when money isn't so tight and they go on sale. 

Neil

Great idea! That's a really

Great idea! That's a really nice tool box, too.

Rod Stewart builds models on

Tool Box

The one I have was not that expensive, it seems that the ones that are similar online now are kind of outrageous on their price. Since this is a traveling tool chest I would not want to have something so expensive I would not want it dinged or dented.

Neil: Interesting idea on the glue, might save me a bunch of work of instead of modifying the box just getting smaller containers to hold the glue. I may end up modifying the box any ways so I can fit larger projects in during my travels. For the most part I drive, so TSA won't be problem, but the changes in temp, altitude and other variables could be an issue.

I used an old slot car box

When I was traveling, I used to bring various projects along with me.  Luckily, I had an old slot car box to use.  Back in the day, when asked to operate on someone else's layout, we had to bring our own engine and caboose.  So I the box and repair supplies, like lube, oil, tools, extra couplers, etc. What isn't seen in the below photo, is the open space below the slide-out drawer.

Nicely done tool box.

I never had that elaborate a tool box, but back in my early 20s I worked on a cargo ship. I took models to work on when the weather wasn't too rough.

Looks like

the lamp at the Fairfield Inn I checked out of this morning.....and will check back into Monday.

I share your pain Greg.

Neat Case

Bob: very cool travel case there and a good use of something designed bur another purpose. One other modification I am thinking of making is adding a drop down work table on the front of the tool box.

Geared Steam: Yeah it is a Fairfield Inn, I am here for 17 days then on to Boise Id for a night before I head Home.

Tool Box

I tried that! It did not take me long to realize that I could do one or the other, but not both. (railroad or play railroad) Since the real job paid the bills (locomotive engineer) I gave up on the tool chest!

Jerome-OKC

Taller lid

Greg - it should be easy to modify your box - just build a new top lid with taller sides to allow your glue bottles to stand up/  You'd also get more space for bulkier items.  You can re-use the hinges and hasps.  If you modify the hinges to keep the pin in one half of the hinge and allow them to drift in the other part of the hinge, you can pop the lid off and use it as an extra tray while working rather than put the strain of the heavier/taller lid on the hinge pins when it's open.  Let's see on what you are working....

Frank

Thanks Guys

 I only plan to take my stuff with me when I am driving myself, I do not plan to take it when I fly. If I am flying I will use those trips to do research and check some local shops for supplies.

I looked at the top of the box and it looks like a relatively easily change to make the lid taller. I would like to find some decent material to make the modifications. I will keep you up to date on the modifications.

Here is my current project, working on a house for my Free-mo modules.

More limited...

I do a much less elaborate version... I just put the tools in two small Container Store plastic boxes, and mostly do rolling stock and smaller things like signal bridges while I'm on the road. I don't do structures - or at least, don't assemble them, as I travel light and don't have a large thing to carry built-up structures safely. I probably will work on some structures this year, but the limit of that on the road will be to finish flat pieces, and only to the degree that I don't need to bring tools like a Chopper or True Sander. I have loads of car kits to do anyway. They are far easier to transport: just use their factory boxes, but stuff up the extra space with towels or styrofoam peanuts. (I prefer the towels, actually.) In particular, I carry the minimum of volatile stuff - glue is about it, really. The glue travels in Zip-Loc bags. So far I've built about 15 Branchline heavyweight cars (with another dozen or so to go), and several Tichy freight cars. It doesn't seem worthwhile to go to the trouble of carrying around AccuRail kits - they don't take long. A Branchline or Tichy kit is a solid enough project to keep me busy for several evenings on a week long trip, so doesn't occupy a disproportionate amount of space in the luggage.

O scale

I haven't traveled much since I changed scales but it looks like our turn to care for grandpa is comings round soon so am interested in any ideas for larger models. The tool box will probably be fine but an O scale structure may have to have a purpose built case to ship to and from Hawaii to California. My attention span for a single project seems to be challenged as well. I justify that parts need to dry, etc, so I start something else. Eventually each little work area gets a short piece of shelving and stored out in the open to grab as the mood strikes (who always writes that?). 

What have others done with multiple models under construction? When on the road it seems that projects under construction would be vulnerable to damage so a large "gang box" or old style travel truck seem possible but excessive and hard to move (and expensive!). 

Neil