Model Building Toolbox Talk #8: File Cards

Have you ever used a wire brush to distress or add wood grain to a piece of lumber on your builds?  If you started out using the old-school wire brushes that look like toothbrushes (and that Brett apparently thinks really is a toothbrush), then you know the frustration with fraying and bent wire bristles. Well, Todd talks this week about the ease of distressing with the use of a file card instead of the typical wire brushes we've always used. Todd even got Brett one of these to replace his own wire brushes and he hasn't used anything else since! These file cards are durable and the bristles last much longer than those on the old-school wire brushes that we've used in the past. In addition the the longevity and durability, We both think they're both just flat out easier to use to distress wood siding, pilings, beams and other wood materials on our model builds. You can pick them up relatively cheap online and at your local hardware stores too! Here's a link to the one that's extremely similar to the one we both use (just has a different name stamped on the handle): Osborn International 75116SP Steel File Card, 3-3/4" Brush Area Length Make sure to visit our site any time for more great craftsman model railroading content: https://hoscalecustoms.com