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Frank Palmer
Fireman
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 Posted - 02/21/2018 : 3:44:36 PM
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More to come.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 4585 |
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Frank Palmer
Fireman
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 3:49:39 PM
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I’ve taken a detour once again. The members of the “Center” have decided to build an O-Scale switching layout. Well one of the members wanted to go this route and Dave and I have decided to lend our assistance.
With “Robochant” Rob’s help we came up with a track plan. The layout will consist of three 6’ modules 3’ wide. We purchased poplar from our neighborhood wood shop to make the frames out of. The legs will be “X” framed 2” x 2” pine secured with 1/4" x 20 bolts and “T” nuts. The layout will be mostly permanent but on the outside chance we want to take it to a show the legs will be removable.
Rob did a design in his Layout Planning thread and I liked this one with a little modification.
Rob took my musings and created this “workable” version using Fast Tracks #5 turnouts.
I then uploaded Rob’s version into AutoCAD and traced the centerlines into a drawing. Richard, one of our members, printed the design so we can overlay the print on the modules.
We ordered a full Fast Tracks goodie bag of tools. Turnout template, point/frog tool, stockaid tool, PCB ties, wood ties, solder, spikes and a PCB tie cutter tool. We are all in.
Fast Tracks sells “Quick Sticks” which are his version of plywood ties all connected for easy construction. But since we went with wood ties I made 2 tools of my own along with Dave’s help on the laser.
One is a Tie Cutter. Simply lay the ties into the jig, tape the cover on and run it through my Proxxon table saw. Nice and quick all 30 wood ties cut to the proper length.
I also drew a Tie Spacer. Lay the cut wood ties into the spacer, mark the location of the non-moveable rails, apply Pliobond adhesive to both the wood ties and the turnout and press the Fast Tracks turnout into place.
Now all I have to do is finish the 14 turnouts. I built the first one step by step watching the videos and doing that step and so on.
Now I’m going into Liberty Ship mode. I’ve built all the frog points, filed all the stock rails, filed all the point rails and bent all the guard rails. Next is rapid assembly. Yeah right, at least I can just move from one step to the next without having to build each part along the assembly line.
Thank you Henry Ford.
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Edited by - Frank Palmer on 02/21/2018 3:53:29 PM |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 4585 |
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Rick
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:21:25 PM
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This will be well worth watching.
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| As you think, so will you be. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 22004 |
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Michael Hohn
Fireman
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:22:24 PM
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Frank,
Fine looking turnout, although I only count eleven on the trackplan. I guess I’m missing something.
Your Henry Ford approach is going to save a lot of time.
Mike
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Nobody living can ever stop me, as I go walking that freedom highway -- Woody Guthrie |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3762 |
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Frank Palmer
Fireman
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:27:49 PM
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OMG it's Rick. Good to hear from you again. You must be a railroad baron by now.
Mike, there's actually 12 on the plan but we added 2 more connecting the SE leg and the SW leg. Adding another by pass.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 4585 |
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robchant
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:29:10 PM
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Turnout looks great! (but wish I had thought of using "Robochant" ... I like it!)
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Edited by - robchant on 02/21/2018 5:37:53 PM |
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Country: Canada
| Posts: 1067 |
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David Clark
Fireman
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:31:26 PM
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Wow!
That's incredible. I am looking forward to see this progress. At this rate, I might not want to go to sleep for fear of missing something.
Cheers,
Dave
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Country: Canada
| Posts: 1035 |
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ocalicreek
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:31:51 PM
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Lovely jigs!
What locale is the layout set in? I like a good waterfront plan, and this one looks interesting.
Galen
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| My Train Blog: http://ocalicreek.blogspot.com/ |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 384 |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 5:49:25 PM
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This layout should be fun Frank. Had a great time at the Sundance Center by the way. I had a few questions and as soon as I get back home I'll send you a pm.
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| Mike |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 12665 |
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Frank Palmer
Fireman
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 7:24:15 PM
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Oops, sorry Rob. Sounds good to me. Who’s the new kid on the block?
Dave, oh you can count on me to jump into something else in a month or so.
Galen, I wish I knew what the local was going to be. For sure there’s going to be a waterfront and boats and sea gulls and stuff if I have anything to do with it. Maybe if Jim Hopes ever shows up here he’ll explain it. Dave and I are only the non-paid hired help.
Mike, it was nice to finally meet you. Ask away.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 4585 |
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Carl B
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 7:59:32 PM
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This is great. I accept total responsibility for this thread.
There now, don't you feel a little better Frank?  High five's and back slaps are on the way....
Sharing this experience with the rest of us is just the ticket.
And you got to show off another sweet use of Dave's laser. 
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2783 |
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BBLmber
Fireman
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 Posted - 02/21/2018 : 9:33:07 PM
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Frank, I am watching to see how it all turns out.
Mark
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| W,L,&E |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 6395 |
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BurleyJim
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 10:43:44 PM
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Let's see the 'Z' scale version next Frank!
Jim
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3250 |
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TRAINS1941
Engineer
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/21/2018 : 11:49:34 PM
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Wow that's really cool Frank. Going to be a great thread.
Maybe you should go into making turnouts for everyone!!
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Jerry
"And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." A. Lincoln |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 10425 |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
Premium Member
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Posted - 02/22/2018 : 08:29:04 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by BurleyJim
Let's see the 'Z' scale version next Frank!
Jim
I can't get him to work in the Normal scale and you want him to do Z? 
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| Mike |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 12665 |
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Blazeman
Section Hand
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Posted - 02/22/2018 : 09:10:23 AM
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I like the assembly line approach to building switches. And doing it that way, you get more proficient with each step as you make more of the part. Maybe somehow mark the earlier efforts in case there are operating problems after installation and you can figure out where the lemon is.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 50 |
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