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 Posted - October 21 2020 : 12:20:53 PM
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I am in the process of setting up a table, but it will not be the final table
it might last 1-5 years
what should be the best way to temporarily mount the track? I was thinking of using hot glue then I can use a hot knife to cut out track that goes bad or if I need to do some modifications like adding a turnout
track I have has evidence of (i think) white glue, other no indications of mounting evidence
once I get the track on loose, i was thinking of a few dots of hot glue on the outside edge of the ties to keep track from wiggling loose.
I am guessing that others who have more experience can suggest some other ways.
I am also planning on adding wiring terminals to more track, as it seems the rail joiners sometimes don't connect well(mechanically and electrically)
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 1:09:05 PM
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What is your table top material? If wood I would use thumb tacks and paint the tack heads black. Adhesives will be a pain to clean off when you pull up track and hope to reuse. Most of the second hand track I have seen is always missing ties where the nails or glue from the previous installation would not yield the track easily.
If it's a temporary installation, use the most-easily removed attaching method you can. Otherwise you stand to be buying new track in a few years.
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 1:14:16 PM
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1/4" MDF on 2x1, not sure nails or tacks would have enough to grip onto, hence the glue idea
not too worried about wrecking track, as the stuff I have isn't the best, so buying new track would be more like upgrade, rather than , "crap, i broke it"
I also have a LOT of experience in various adhesive usage and removal(sigh), just looking to see what others think is beneficial
might stick a layer of foam , but I don't like that either, as I want to try to keep the track as f;at and rigid as possible. might solder too, and heat near foam aint the best
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 2:06:33 PM
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and advice sooner might be better than later ;)
this went together faster than I thought
maybe just duct tape to start? better than hot glue
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 2:07:24 PM
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| wow perspective skewed that a lot, its a 6x4, looks like 8x4
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 5:04:05 PM
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| Looking good!!
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 9:57:51 PM
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I agree with Chops, that does look good. However, I really don't think hot glue would be a good temporary bonding agent for the track, as I've used it to hold down track, and it has destroyed track/the surface. I agree with the thumbtack suggestion, if it will hold, or maybe hot glue down thumb tacks in between the ties, and not to the track?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 11:15:26 PM
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If the little brads they sell as track nails would go into the fiber board, it might be a thing to try. If it doesn't work you can try something else. Put them in with a tack hammer and leave them just a hair loose. They can be pulled out with a wire nipper. If you get them too tight for the nipper to grab, pry under the head a little with a stiff knife.
Rail joiners that are fairly new and not bent out of shape should form a fairly tight connection. I sometimes solder a tail of wire to the center of the underside of a joiner before installing it. It makes a good feed wire.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 11:41:32 PM
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TOO LATE!!! (the tractor flatbed GLIDES across most of it)
details (I did not melt that tie, that was someone's thumb-fingered attempt to solder rail joiners)
I gotta pull up about 7 sections and do it over as I have some gaps like this because I tried to do it the easy way and work from two ends(some heat, a lil exacto knife, and should be good to go)
guideline are GUIDES not hard and fast rules, if stuff drifts, don't fight it
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 11:42:56 PM
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Modified tyco layout expander setup, FYI
let's see how bad stuff derails
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Posted - October 21 2020 : 11:53:24 PM
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wow, clicking on the pictures REALLY shows flaws.
I'll have to take pics of all the track joints and blow them up to analyze
luckily I am NOT thumb fingered at solder joints (HAM operator) and should be able to touch up uneven ones like the gappy one I show, then buff it down with my diamond lapping plate (for sharpening that block plane in the 1st pic, woodworking hobby) and REALLY get things to glide
Edited by - tater1337 on October 21 2020 11:54:46 PM
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Posted - October 22 2020 : 09:36:10 AM
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testing of removal and comparison of actual vs measured centerlines
a sharpened putty knife work great for removal, better than exacto
hot glue looks to work well
will have to keep it on for a few months to see what long term issues are
I have a hunch that I am going to end up chasing the track in circles trying to get a .128" gap to close tho
not worried
layout error is across six of 18"R and three straight 9" sections (half an oval)
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Posted - October 22 2020 : 09:41:12 AM
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quote:
Rail joiners that are fairly new and not bent out of shape should form a fairly tight connection. I sometimes solder a tail of wire to the center of the underside of a joiner before installing it. It makes a good feed wire.
Originally posted by scsshaggy - October 21 2020 : 11:15:26 PM
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
used track from at least 4 different sources :)
joiners in all sorts of condition, from green corrosion to cold solder joints from someone determined to not use flux
I **might** end up soldering wires to the center of each rail for every single track. then you KNOW they are connected electrically. good way to test my TS80 USB iron
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Posted - October 22 2020 : 10:20:17 AM
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I did this once with a temp outdoor layout using the EZ Tracks
worked out pretty good until board was stolen from the woodpile it came from
Heck I even fixed the broken leg before setting up the table
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Posted - October 23 2020 : 9:43:39 PM
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Looks like the hot glue dabs work well. Neat idea.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - October 23 2020 : 11:22:39 PM
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quote:Looks like the hot glue dabs work well. Neat idea.
Originally posted by RP model railroads - October 23 2020 : 9:43:39 PM
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not perfect, but we'll see. two of them have popped off when I wasn't looking, but the track is secure enough that the train doesn't pull the tracks apart
now waiting on more track, new rail joiners and other stuff
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Posted - October 24 2020 : 02:19:00 AM
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| I have yet to lock any of mine down because I have the roadbed to put under it. I don'e seen to have problems with mine coming loose. I did snug the connectors as I put them on.
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Posted - October 24 2020 : 11:05:36 AM
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mine is made up of well used(and abused) track, and I only ordered new rail joiners a couple days ago, so stuff is loose
I am kind of impressed with how much track works without any dead spots due to loose connections
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Posted - October 24 2020 : 11:27:54 AM
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Those dead spots can creep up on you, but they can be fixed one at a time, as needed. Another simple trick
is to gently crimp the used rail joiners for a tighter fit.
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Posted - October 24 2020 : 7:55:44 PM
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| You're right Chops! That's what I done even though my track was all new...
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Posted - October 24 2020 : 8:05:07 PM
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| yes I have done that too
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