Track laying tool questions

[RobertInOntario]

The only tools that I've used for track laying have been a multi-purpose Atlas saw (mainly for cutting flextrack). I've simply used a small cardboard drinking cup or my fingers for spreading the ballast. I've also used a thick artist's brush for brushing ballast off the ties & rails. Otherwise, I haven't used any of those tools and I suspect you could very well get along without them.

I'm not great at soldering (a little sloppy) although I like to think it's improved over the years! The soldering tool looks interesting but again, I'm not sure if you really need it.

The ballasting, spacing tool & other tools, on that website, do look useful but, again, I suspect you could easily get by without them by simply measing your distances and using a brush and small cup, etc.

Rob