Fast Tracks

I really dislike throwing away "neat" things that I just know I will have a use for some day.

Such was the case with the edge strips that I accumulated from using Quicksticks.

I finally made up some tie jigs to be used to hold individual ties when glueing them (ironing them) to the rail.

The two photos show an HO, #6 jig with the ties in place and then with a switch ready to be heated to set the Pliobond. (OOPS! Forgot to add a tie for the "hinged" tie slot.)

You'll note the extra PC tie near the divergent end of the switch. I thought this might be necessary since the ribs on the Quicksticks add some stability to the switch after the frog gap is cut.

I also found that it was necessary to taper the ends of the "locators" so that any glue that was squeezed out from under the rail did not set up and attach itself to the jig thereby making it difficult to remove the glued assembly. On future jigs, I'll use my bench grinder and taper them before I glue them to the board.

Onward to the slips and double crosssovers. Mayby even a jig for straight track.

_________________
Chuck Lobaugh
cfl9280@sc.rr.com
"oldsnowtop" ... A seller of switches on eBay

This approach works very well. I have made the same thing with the edge pieces for the turnouts, crossovers, and slips. Never thought of adding the extra PC tie, though. Good idea. Having a large stock of basswood, I am going to cut my own ties eventually. I have made some from scraps of straight grain white pine and they worked well. Sugar pine is rarely available and expensive, unless I am not looking in the right places.

Keep the ideas flowing.

Thanks,
littletree

I'm ripping some ties from some scrap wood I bought from Ron & Tim on my 14" Delta Band Saw. On occasion I will also cut some from the side pieces of the Quicksticks (grain is really not right).

I'm also ripping all my PC ties from 4 in. X 6 in. sheets.

_________________
Chuck Lobaugh
cfl9280@sc.rr.com
"oldsnowtop" ... A seller of switches on eBay

I save all the scraps from the laser cut tie jigs to make more rustic turnouts. I take a file and file some "slop" in the tie locater slots. Then glue the jig to a pine board, when I'm done with the turnout skeleton, and after I place individual wood ties in the slots in the "new" old jig I then glue the turnout down. So I'm not limited to using the laser cut ties, and this way I can model a turnout whoms ties have shifted a bit, getting that more random look you often see in Yards and industry spurs. works well, just insure you don't get too carried away when you increase the "slots" width. That way the turnouts don't look like they were installed by Mr Magoo! You only need a few scale inches to get the effect.

Rob

_________________
Rob de Rebel