A Members Tips n Tricks page of Suppliers or Tips for 7mm Scale

Members of Exeter-GOG group suggestions for help with 7mm Scale Model Railway building. Please email us with more information on little tips and tricks you may have learnt that can help our hobby progress. Email Exeter.gog@gmail.com
Suitable suggestions will be added here for the good of all. This is only a starter and will be added to and improved if sufficient suggestions are posted to keep it fresh with new tips n tricks.
Note! Exeter-GOG do not accept responsibility for use of any of these recommendations. They are entirely at your own risk.

Nairnshire modelling supplies for bearings etc.

Byron, recommends Nairnshire modelling supplies for bearings etc. they only have an EBAY.co.uk shop 

A Glue suitable for Card Kits etc. Posted April 2019

ScaleScenes Card kits

For sticking Lcut, Bob’s Models and other paper or card models I have found Pinflair Glue-It bookbinding glue to be excellent.  It is often sold  at craft fairs or can be brought on the internet at; http://www.pinflair.co.uk/adhesives-and-tools/adhesives/glue-it-bookbinding-glue . The glue comes in an easy to use fine nozzle bottle that does not block, due to the cap having a plastic pin moulded into it and it dries quickly with almost no annoying ‘residue’ to spoil the finish. Ian O Neill.

Scalescenes Card Kits get them blown upto mm scale at SeatonPrint.com onto 90gsm paper, then reinforce with Card.

Battery Power Radio Control

Battery powered Radio Control all packaged in this small area. Suitable for small Gauge Locomotives

Large Format Printing (Backscenes)

Want to do someone a bit of good while obtaining a New Backscene, try the Exminster NHS rehabilitation Centre.
If it needs printing, speak to Darren Fairchild on 01392 829 143 or email darren.fairchild@nhs.net.
We provide high quality printing for commercial and public organisations through to individual requirements.
Some examples of our work can be seen through the corridors of Wonford House.
We specialise in wide format printing. Using your image or photographs, we can produce: Backscenes, Banners, Canvas prints, Cards etc.

Wire in Tube Point control

Use the plastic tube from Cotton Buds to ensure insulation for wire in tube Turnout controls, the copper tube can be inside this sleeve if required

Smart Models co.uk

www.smartmodels.co.uk for downloadable gauge 0 building kits

More Tools and Fixtures.

www.vgibson.co.uk for those bespoke tools you didnt know you needed, thanks Byron

Syringe your PVA watered down mix.

Re ballasting using a syringe, I'm sure there are many members who have dogs or cats which have required liquid medication at one time or another. This is usually administered with a disposable plastic syringe supplied by the vet. Don't throw them away after use - they are brilliant for ballasting , amongst other things like measuring out paint. Trevor.
​Use a Syringe to add the PVA watered down mix to your ballast as it doesn't disturb the ballst when you have taken the time to position it correctly. My syringe came from a Inkjet cartridge refill set. It really is a good piece of kit.

Purple Bob's 7mm Scale building Kits

www.purplebob.co.uk      suggested by Ian

Peco Track Rubber

Peco Track Rubber, I have had mine in my toolbox since 1968, looking at it I decided to give it a clean instead of just using it again and again. Washed it with neat Washing up Liquid in a little water thoroughly rubbing in the liquid to release some of the engrained dirt & grease. Low and behold after a quick dry off, a nice new refreshed Peco Track rubber ready for another few years work!

Backscenses, ID Backscenes & Kirtley Buildings.

Track Test variation

​‘The track test device will find imperfections as it is sent along track.  At its heart it has one fixed and one pivoted set of wheels.  The pivoted set is connected to a long pointer with a simple fixed scale behind and even very small imperfections are detected.  It is particularly useful with slight transverse faults and problems with points, especially in the frog area.’ Submitted by Ian O'Neill

Other devices are available, EG one from M&M Models is similar.

1.5mm thickness Marklin Turnouts

I have found that its best to add 1.5mm thick material (Styrene) etc under a Marklin turnout to match the height of a Peco Turnout.

Laser Cut Models

Using Lcut's Station canopies, to join them together I suggest making the Frame of the Roof trusses as one unit, rather than trying to join them after building them individually, this gives a finer joint of the roof. You can see the Grey painted example is not as good as it could be, because I buitl the units individually. Hope this Helps, Cadhris@gmail.com

may I suggest adding 'Lcut' http://www.lcut.co.uk makers of laser cut model building kits in 7mm and 4mm scales.  In addition to their building kits, they will supply individual components to help make or modify your own designs.  I'm currently using their two road, five bay engine shed to make a three bay wagon works.
I would also recommend Severn Models ( severnmodels.com/ ) . Although the 7mm range of brass models is very limited, the kits are very reasonably priced, make excellent projects for developing soldering skills and there are some excellent kits of tools and workshop contents to provide an extra level of detail.

Cheers,
John Cavell

Lighting for your Layout

Lighting using LED's etc, suggested by Byron, small led lights, all wired up and reading to go, the really small ones are so small
you can barely see them, great value and a service second to none.
www.smallscalelights.co.uk  &    www.jsminiatures.co.uk    &     http://blog.jsminiatures.co.uk

Nuts & Bolts & other things

www.maccmodels.co.uk    suggested by Byron

Collect your scenic materials,

Mirror image of your Track laying

When Laying Track, use a Mirror to look 'back' along the length you have laid to check alignment and curves, works a treat, an old trick but the latest Gazette reminded me to try it out again.