Work Cradles

You should have something like this. You can make a simple one, this one has an adjustable angle and a storage tray underneath.

I bought this from a guy who used to frequent the train shows

Buy or make something like this. I normally have a terry cloth towel lining it, and then any grease or dirt won't permeate the foam.

I really like this design because the "clamp" is offset from the pivot points, which allows greater locking torque than just tightening the pivots. Also you only need to tightenone knob.

I have a cradle I bought years ago, it was a screw together kit, and boy I wish I could buy another couple. I believe mine was from Rjjr Inc, but no longer in business apparently, here's a link from the "Internet Wayback Machine" http://web.archive.org/web/20010218...page2.html NOTE: this link is for illustration only, he's long gone,

These were from Chuck Inlow, but he has passed away.

Dan Patterson, makes some beautiful loco carriers and cradles. He charges about $45.00 plus S&H (about $50).  He will accept PayPal. His email was This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. but I have not checked this for some years.

The base is 16"x24"x3 1/2"deep.  The cradle is 26"long.

Here's one from a company called GoldInHands, that has 2 probes to supply power, does not tilt but nice idea, this picture is of an O scale one, don't know if he still makes them.

http://goldinhands.com/ 

 here is an ebay seller:

https://www.ebay.com/usr/wilfstrains?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l2559

Mr. Wilf Blum  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. He’s located in British Columbia, Canada.

$285 canadan and $90 shipping - wow