First Fast Tracks Turnout...

Sumner Jun 30, 2019

  1. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I've used both the FT Quick Sticks as well as Cloverhouse ties (both wood and PCB). Like them both. When using loose ties, I print out the Fast Tracks diagram, and then use double-sided tape across the diagram. Then, place the ties as indicated, and attach with the Plio-bond.
     
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  2. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, I'll probably try and make a jig if that isn't too much work and see if I can make that work but, will probably find out that staying with the Quick Sticks is the best option like you did.

    Sumner
     
  3. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Rick thanks for the great tip. I'll try that before trying to make a jig. I have a copy of the Fast Tracks diagram but also just put one finished turnout and two Quick Sticks in my copier/printer and copy-printed them out...

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    ... and I might like that as much or better than the diagram to use. We will see,

    Sumner
     
  4. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I was anxious to try Rick's loose tie method.

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    I cut some double sided tape to length and then cut it in half lengthwise. Taped the main and divergent routes and pressed Fast Track's full length ties into place. This was very easy to do and went faster than expected and next time I'll probably even cut the time in half to do this by marking where the PCB ties go ahead of time.
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    Next I cut the ends of the ties off with an X-Acto knife holding the tie down with one finger while doing this. Probably need to do this slightly better next time but I've seen real ties that look a lot worse than this so maybe won't fret it much. It isn't a perfect world ;)
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    I laid a partially finished turnout on the ties to see what it looks like and was happy. I'm wondering how the ties will release from the tape. Probably should of waited until the turnout was ready to be Plio-bonded to them. Will also see how they paint up after attaching them un-stained or painted. Rick do you stain yours first? Thanks again for posting the tape tip,

    Sumner
     
  5. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Stain first. Also helps with release from the tape, but sliding your knife blade (or safety razor blade) under the ties works well, too.
     
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  6. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    When I did mine, as from my article in RMJ, I used one PCB tie every sixth tie, and doubled them up at the throwbar. I used double stick tape on the paper template, and stuck ME wood ties ahead of time along with the PCB ties. I too used a narrow strip of tape. I then glued the whole thing down to the cork. The addtiional PCB ties precluded fooling around with pliobond, always a mess. Didn't have any problems, except what to do with the extra time I had.

    Another thing I did was to build yard ladders and crossovers as units, with continous rail and no extra joiners. You will need to have extra templates for that, but the smoother operation was worth it.
     
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  7. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Bill thanks for sharing all of that.

    The Fast Track PCB ties or slightly thinner than the wood ties. So I see a problem if they are stuck to the tape and are lower off the rail during soldering. Did you use PCB ties that were the same thickness as the wood ties or find wood ties that are the same thickness as the PCB ties? What did you use for PCB ties? Right now I'm using the Fast Track wood ties and PCB ties and ordered sheet PCB the same .031 thickness as the Fast Track PCB ties to try making my own PCB ties.

    Later I would like to try using the paper to made turnouts that are other sizes than the #6 that I have. Also are you working with code 55 track?

    Did you leave the paper template on and glue the bottom of that to the layout and then ballast to cover up seeing the paper? Or did you pull the paper off the other side of the double sided tape?

    Thanks,

    Sumner
     
  8. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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  9. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I finally got around to finishing the second turnout using the individual ties. I'm happy with the results and will probably use them for most of the turnouts. I'll save about $5.00 a turnout and they only add maybe 5 minutes to the total process. As a followup to where I left off above with the partially finished turnout laying on the individual ties what follows is self hopefully explanatory (ask questions if it isn't)....
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    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2019
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  10. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    I find the quick sticks ties interesting, and they look good, but yet for me a little too good. Each turnout looks like a factory one, and for me as a prototype modeler, that uniformity is not prototype enough.

    I didn't fine sorting ties a problem. They only come in two lengths, so some short ones and some long ones and they're sorted.
     
  11. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Good job... ;) Myself I'm very happy with my own Z scale FT samples... ;) 26.jpeg

    Dom
     
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  12. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Z scale handlaid track? Isn't that a bit like home watchmaking?
     
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  13. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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  14. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    I've never heard of T scale. Where do you get power and rolling stock? All scratchbuilt?
     
  15. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Just search for T Gauge. While not carried by most of the regular suppliers, there are a number of dealers that do. Also, check out TrainBoard’s T Gauge forum
     

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