For dedicated collectors and hobbyists of vintage toy trains, maintaining and repairing cherished pieces is paramount. The Hobby Horse 15-Piece Toy Train Tool Set, along with their 10-Piece Wheel Cup Set, offers a comprehensive solution for intricate repairs on popular brands like Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx. These tools are specifically designed to handle the unique demands of toy train restoration, from precise riveting to specialized wheel work, ensuring your treasured locomotives and rolling stock remain in pristine condition.
The 15-Piece Hobby Horse Tool Set: Precision for Riveting and Assembly
This “bread and butter” tool set is engineered for the essential tasks involved in toy train repair. It facilitates accurate riveting and rivet removal, as well as specialized clinching operations necessary for bringing older models back to life. All tools in this set are hardened for durability and guaranteed against defects, reflecting Hobby Horse’s commitment to quality USA-made tools since the 1970s. In fact, Hobby Horse was the original manufacturer of tools supplied to Lionel service stations in the early 1990s, attesting to their industry recognition and reliability.
The set includes a variety of specialized tools, each meticulously crafted for specific functions:
- ST350-7 Rivet Anvil (Large): For forming and setting larger rivets.
- ST350-8, ST350-9, ST350-10, ST350-11, ST350-12 Roll Clinchers: Various sizes for precisely rolling and clinching components, ensuring secure connections without damage.
- ST350-13 Star Clincher: A specialized tool for unique clinching applications.
- ST350-14, ST350-15, ST350-16 Binding Post Anvils: Designed for working with binding posts of different sizes (.116″, .144″, .166″).
- ST350-17 Sliding Shoe Anvil: For adaptable repair work requiring a sliding mechanism.
- ST350-19 Splaying Clincher: Used for splaying or expanding components.
- ST350-20 Knock Out Punch: For efficiently removing rivets or pins.
- ST350-21 Rivet Anvil (Small): For precise work with smaller rivets.
- ST350-22 Knock-Out Anvil: A companion anvil for the knockout punch.
This comprehensive 15-piece set, including a storage block, is available for $190.00 plus $8.00 for shipping, offering exceptional value for the quality and functionality provided.
The 10-Piece Lionel Wheel Cup Set: Specialized for Wheel and Axle Repair
Complementing the general repair tools, the Lionel 10-Piece Wheel Cup Set is indispensable for addressing issues related to wheels and axles. This set is crucial for accurate wheel mounting and ensures that wheels are properly seated on axles, a common point of wear and tear on model trains.
The set includes:
- WC-2001 Axel Mounting Tool: The primary tool for securely mounting axles.
- WC-2002-U and WC-2002-L Upper and Lower Cups: Designed for all diesels, including specific models like the 752 and 636.
- WC-2202L Lower cup: As above.
- WC-2003-U and WC-2003-L Upper and Lower Cups: Tailored for LTI Berkshires such as the 726 and 736.
- WC-2004-U and WC-2004-L Upper and Lower Cups: For a range of locomotives including the 2025, 2035, 2046, 2056, 2055, 2065, 646, 665, 675 (1952), 685, 8600, 8702, and 8801.
- WC-2006-U and WC-2006-L Upper and Lower Cups: For locomotives such as the 2016, 2018, 2026 (1952 and later), 2029, 2036, 2037, 637, 8606, 8607, 8608, 8609, and 8611.
This specialized 10-piece wheel cup set, also provided with a storage block, is priced at $210.00.
Quality and Craftsmanship You Can Trust
Hobby Horse prides itself on using USA-made parts and employing skilled craftsmanship. Their long-standing dedication to producing high-quality tools means that collectors can rely on these products for accurate and lasting repairs. For those needing replacement parts for older Lionel presses (manufactured from the 1940s to 1975), the Hobby Horse tools offer compatibility, providing a valuable resource for maintaining vintage equipment.
For a complimentary 6-page catalog featuring a wide array of presses and tools available for sale, interested parties are encouraged to contact the supplier directly. This catalog can provide further insights into the extensive range of specialized equipment offered by Hobby Horse for enthusiasts of vintage toy trains.
References:
Hobby Horse product description.
Lionel 10 Piece Wheel Cup Set product description.
Contact information for catalog.
