Scalefour Forum

Beam-breaking IR detector would seem to be pretty simple - needs a transmitting IR LED and receiving device. Plus power and an indicator (a visible LED) somewhere. Just check that the beam is broken by your stock, some plastics can be transparent to some wavelengths. Typical components need a 5v DC ...

Tony W wrote:

Captain Kernow wrote:
If you're that short of material, why not just tell everyone that you need more articles for the journal?

You mean a whole album of alternative lyrics?

Tony

You may regret that.... I often end up with alternative lyrics to songs whilst doing something else.

Tim V wrote:

nigelcliffe wrote:If you're going to The Scaleforum
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
……….

Can I put this in the News?

Yes, if you want to use it.
It isn't that good - scope to improve the syllable stress patterns.


- Nigel

If you're going to The Scaleforum Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair If you're going to The Scaleforum You're gonna meet some model people there For those who come to The Scaleforum Autumntime will be a compensated affair In the aisles of The Scaleforum Model people with flowers in their hair...

I know this is still "test bench", but before starting layout track-laying, I suggest experimenting with ballasting techniques. There are basically two approaches: ballast before or after fitting the chairs (and rails). The are advantages of ballasting with just sleepers in place - clearin...

My hobby horses include this alongside track cleaning, see another thread. I have used a number of methods over the years and found all to have drawbacks. I met Matthias from Germany last weekend at the superb Perth show. He was launching his machine which uses a cunning jiggler to rub wheel treads...

philip-griffiths wrote:The one scene looked like Blencathra.

Nah, its the Gog Magog near Cambridge (which is slightly off-route for Norwich). If you get the camera angle right, it can look a bit like the lake district

Very Nice Jim, :thumb If it comes with the full motion, even if it does not operate that's great. I have just been making dummy ones, the main part you notice below the boiler is the large balance weight which moves according to the setting of the gears for forward and reverse motion. In DCC and us...

One small detail on the MERG DCO - if you have a RailCom based command station, you need the alternative firmware in the DCO's processor, otherwise it doesn't work with RailCom being present. You can turn off RailCom in the command station, but then loose the features it offers. With the alternative...

I wouldn't rule out 3D printing. I've been experimenting with iMaterialise.com, and their stainless steel option. [...] One of my friends has produced connecting rods and other chassis parts for a working 1:160 scale narrow gauge locomotive through this method. Interesting! Are there any photos in ...

I wouldn't rule out 3D printing. I've been experimenting with iMaterialise.com, and their stainless steel option. Main cross-section limit is about 0.5mm by 0.5mm (can be less in some cases). Detail is much finer than that. Provided you can keep the total volume of component and supporting/surroundi...

Is Terry studying the results on his pools coupon ?
..... Rolvenden 3, United Mills 3


- Nigel

if Cousin's won't play ball, then their competitors Cooksongold may have something suitable.

I didn't intend "practical patch" to be a negative connotation. Apparently they make a huge helpful difference for sound decoders. (which I don't have). Personally I would opt for small keep alives rather than large. I hate the idea of a heavy fast moving train to be disconnected from it'...

With DCC there is another choice: use the space for a mechanical flywheel or use the space for an electronic flywheel (aka "stay alive module"). The electronic version can work when the motor is stationary (see Zimo's very clever "nudge the loco along when it looses power on stopping...

Just wanted to make a small clarification. It's bemf that controls motors well without flywheels, not DCC per se. You can have bemf on DC controllers and DCC decoders without bemf - although nowadays its almost standard on newer DCC decoders. However if you want closed loop motor absolute speed and...

I'm forced to put a DCC chip next to a tiny Mashima motor because of the small size of a loco. Any suggestions for an effective insulating material that will be no more than a millimeter or so thick to separate them and keep the chip as cool as possible? I use Tamiya masking tape. If there is space...

I think form-tools are over-stated in their usefulness. Unless doing an awful lot of rims, and owning a very rigid lathe, they're not going to give you any benefit over a conventional tool held at the appropriate angles. The coning angle can be set on a top-slide on all but the most basic of lathes....

The tyres on an AG wheels are indeed an interference fit from the back, just how much of an interference fit has changed over the years. In the good old days there was a fair bit of criticism about tyres falling off ie being a loose fit. Colin Seymour has done something about this and the fit is no...

I've not done anything with the loco wheels but note that DJ suggest feedback controllers such as a Pentroller will damage the loco. I'm not changing all my controllers for one engine. Is there a fix? Whilst the motor would probably be seen off by a crude low-frequency feedback device (eg. Gaugemas...

My friend in the borders, building a large EM layout using plastic chairs, is using Walnut sleepers. He tried a lot of different types before making the decision. Bought in long lengths of appropriate cross-section from model boat building suppliers, which he chops on a little chopping tool to lengt...

My expectation would be that if the coupling rods are a decent fit on the crankpins, and the wheels are not rattling in their bearings front-aft, then the coupling rods alone will be quieter and smoother. With both gears and rods you're fighting a loosing battle against two lots of running clearance...

Doesn't it come out 2.33mm under size by using a Railway Modeller ?

- Nigel

DGs work (I know someone with a large EM layout under construction using them), and they've a long history in 2mm scale where the first versions were designed. But they're not a magic solution to everything, there are constraints in their width (even if a non-standard loop shape is formed). This isn...

Another suggestion is "DG", very popular in 2mm circles ("D" and "G" being 2mm modellers). Its available in a variety of sizes, and I know a large EM layout being built using them. On paper, meets the requirements specified.


- Nigel