Questions, Answers, and Tips

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Questions, Answers, and Tips - Model trains - MRH Column June 2013Click to read this in landscape orientation … Click to read this in portrait orientation …

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Syringes in model railroading.

You can buy brand new insulin syringes from your local drug store without an insulin prescription.  The secret is to take a model in to show the druggist how you would use the syringe to apply glue in tight areas, or use it to drill small holes for grab irons.  You will also need a sharps box for disposal, which you can also get at the drug store.  Regardless of what you use the syringe for, if you need to dispose of it, it is considered hazardous medical waste.  a sharps box will probably last you a life time.  If the tip gets dull and needs replacing or you need to replace the entire syringe, you can probably find all sorts of uses for everything except the sharp point on the end of the needle for various scratch building or kit bashing projects.  If you just cut the sharp point off the end of the needle and use the rest of the syringe for projects, you will probably never fill up the sharps box.  If you do fill the sharps box, check with you local refuse company to find out where to take medical waste for disposal.  Every diabetic using insulin syringes needs to have a place to dispose of the old needles safely, so there should be a local system for disposal available to everyone to safely empty the sharps box. 

Mycroft's picture

Line 1 is WRONG

You need a prescription for needles, unless the druggist is breaking the law.

So, befriend a diabetic and s/he can give you used needles.  I took a half dozen over to the club and added them to the tool box there when I joined.

 

James Eager

City of Miami, Panama Limited, and Illinois Central - Mainline of Mid-America

Plant City MRR Club, Home to the Mineral Valley Railroad

NMRA, author, photographer, speaker, scouter (ask about Railroading Merit Badge)

 

Bill Brillinger's picture

Farm Supply

I get needles for modelling purposes from my local farm supply.

- Bill
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Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, & owner of Precision Design Co.

 

Different States different rules

One other means of obtaining the 29 to 31 gauge needles is to have a dog or cat who is diabetic.  Then you don't need the prescription, at least in the state of Colorado.

CM Auditor

Tom VanWormer

Monument CO

Colorado City Yard Limits 1895

Syringes in Modeling

I've used syringes in modeling for years. I work mainly in styrene. They are an excellent means of precisely controlling the amount of cement exactly where it is needed.

A note on sizes: for general purpose use I've found a 25 gauge 5/8" syringe works well; for very fine work a 31 gauge 5/16" or 5/8" are best.

Here in Colorado a prescription is not required. Expect to pay about $18 for a box of 100. I've found that depending on the cement being used, the syringe plunger will bind after a few uses, and will need to be replaced with a fresh one.

Regarding disposal: Do use a sharps box. When it is full, simply take it to the drug store for disposal.

HRE

Bill Brillinger's picture

Try the farm supply

I have been able to buy syringes for model making from my local farm supply - one at a time, in many sizes. No need to buy the big box.

- Bill
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Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, & owner of Precision Design Co.

 

kleaverjr's picture

True, it depends on the State

In New York State, any needle/syringe is required to have a prescription.  However in Texas (at least back in 1996) there is no need for a prescription. 

Ken L

Perscription

 

None needed in Oregon.  Bought a box a couple of months ago off the shelf.

Used to get them as sample in various sizes at medical products shows in various states in a previous life.  Used them for many tasks requiring accuurate placement of liquids for a lotta years.

  Terry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glue clogging

If the needle of your glue bottle, like the Faller one- get's clogged you can hold a small flame (lighter, match) under it. It will burn away any clogging at the top and will open up the needle again.Works for me, also with Revell glue

Prefilled diabetic pens

My wife is diabetic and uses the prefilled pens.  I have tried a number of times to figure a way to get glue or lubricants into the empty pen, but have had no success yet.  I cannot suck anything into the pen because it appears to be a one way system and have not been able to see how to disassemble the pen.  The only thing I have able to do so far is pick up tiny bits of glue with the needle tip, but this is slow and a real pain.

Anyone have any ideas?

Jim Dixon    MRM 1040

A great pleasure in life is doing what others said you were not capable of doing!   

Mycroft's picture

Florida and CT

I remember when the law changed (I was a teen) in CT and required a prescription for Needles - about the same time insulin STOPPED requiring a prescription.  I also remember non disposable needles and boiling them to sterilize the glass syringe. (I was a kid, and my mom was the recipient)

I know Florida requires a prescription since I have been buying needles for the last several years.  The good news is I have gone from twice a day to once a week, with the recent drug change.  And each new syringe comes in a kit with the drug and 2 needles.  For me, it doesn't matter, if one clogs, chuck it and save next weeks.

 

James Eager

City of Miami, Panama Limited, and Illinois Central - Mainline of Mid-America

Plant City MRR Club, Home to the Mineral Valley Railroad

NMRA, author, photographer, speaker, scouter (ask about Railroading Merit Badge)

 


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