Hi all! I am currently finishing wiring on my small 4x4 layout. I have two bus lines that run about 3 1/2 feet. I have several terminals connected throughout the oval layout under the table. My Question: Are there different ways modelers have attached the wiring to their benchwork that are relatively cheep? I don't want to buy a staple gun or anything like that I will have three (3) cross beams that I can attach the wires to. :tb-err:One thought I had was possibly drilling holes in the cross beams and running them through. I use Posi-Tap connectors so it will be relatively easy to detach and reattach the terminal joiners. :tb-err:Another thought was just to attach them to the bottom of each beam with staples, but I don't have a strong enough stapler. If anyone has better ideas or think drilling holes and feeding the buss lines through is the best way, please let me know. DAN
There is no best way, only what works best for you. Our club drills 1/2 inch holes with a wood boring bit in the cross member. We use a cordless electric drill on low speed with the wood bit. We also found an inexpensive staple gun device that uses a plastic piece and the staple holds the plastic piece in place on the wood. There is half round section in the plastic piece with enough room for the wire. The tool is at the club so I cannot remember who makes this device. If you have a local hardware store, Lowes or Home Depot, you shuld find what you need. Rich
Keeping wiring neat and organized is a fairly common problem for anybody working with electricity. Your local big-box hardware store, or even better an electrical supply store will have a myriad of choices for you.
Drilling holes works fine. There are also many types of cable clip products made for this purpose. At the club, we mostly use this type: Nylon Cable Clamps One advantage of using clips (and this type in particular) is that it is relatively easy to move your wiring around later if you need to make changes or additions. I would stay away from staples as there is a danger of damaging the insulation and causing shorts.
Here is what I have used and they work very well. And if you have wire coat hangers "hanging" around (pun intended) they are free. Rob Paisley came up with this idea and shows how to make these from wire hangers. The design is an idea that has been around for a very long time and allows for the wires to be added and removed without unthreading them. They are easy to mount with one screw and can be bent and shaped to fit any area and can be made any length to suit your needs. http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/Guide.html Pete
Just use a little dab of hot glue every few feet. It holds up the wire (albiet it isn't the prettiest but who looks under your board anyway) If you have to remove the wire for whatever reason its easy to pull off. Brian
