Scalefour Forum

Having looked at many examples of track panels at Scaleforum, and visiting some magnificent home layouts, I had concluded attempts to notch rail every 60ft or 45ft were fairly pointless considering the scale we work in.

However some idle chit chat in out laser room at our local communal workspace had me wondering about laser lines.

So we manufactured a jig of sorts and then zapped little lines across the rail. The pictures are self explanatory..
(Although in reverse order just to annoy everyone)

Once the char is cleaned up the line is tiny, but there.

BTW - here are the laser settings. (Vector cutting full power at 50% speed). I think if I picked up the speed we would have a finer line.

What is the grooved rail in the picture please?

Thanks.

The jig is 18mm mdf with grooves cut into it to ensure the rail stood the right way up. (Nice in theory)

Cutting the notches in the rail leaves a mark in the mdf, so one has a guide for future rail cutting.

The rail is C&L steel bullhead. (Which is by the way top heavy and wants to roll in the jig. I had to tape them eventually and my cunning plan to clip them in the grooves was only somewhat successful.

Hi Neil,

The visual effect is good, have you had a chance to test the sonic effect, ie the “clickety clack”? Getting the joints lined up could be fun...

Cheers,

David

Not yet sir, but the notch is palpable, so I am more than convinced they will.

Lining up should be OK, in that I have cheated - the end pieces of rail and longer than the 60ft - allowing someone leeway to “catch up” on bends etc.

I am yet to assemble them - I did a small batch in case it is a pain in the .....

Next up is short lengths just notched once - for make double panels rather than long running lengths.

Thanks.

You will of course remember to fit a cosmetic fish plate at each cut!

Pendantic of Cheshir

Will L wrote:Pendantic of Cheshir

I've never heard of that county

Will L wrote:You will of course remember to fit a cosmetic fish plate at each cut!

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a lot of fun. The chairs will also be oriented appropriately.....

Tim V wrote:

Will L wrote:Pendantic of Cheshir

I've never heard of that county

Jet lag

Will L wrote:

Tim V wrote:

Will L wrote:Pendantic of Cheshir

I've never heard of that county

Jet lag

.... or Jat leg

Le Corbusier wrote:

Will L wrote:

Tim V wrote:

Will L wrote:Pendantic of Cheshir

I've never heard of that county

Jet lag

.... or Jat leg

While we were away I fell over a large and very rough volcanic rock, which barked my shin something rotten. So it could be that too.