Guest jim s-w Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Hi All Traditionally we lay rail across baseboard joints and then cut it. I am pondering if this is actually the best way and think it might be better to lay rail up to the baseboard joint and like up by eye, Any thoughts people? Cheers Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I've done both, but prefer the latter (lay rail up to the baseboard joint and line up) method now. It enables a close rail joint, which can be filed back to taste later if required, for temperature expansion purposes. When laying the adjoining section, I use a weight laying across the top of the joint to ensure height alignment while the glue dries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I've used both depending on situation. If its on a curve flowing through the boards then lay, reinforce and then cut with a saw. Part and clean up as needed to give a decent rail end and the required gap. If there is a point at the end of the board I would be using separate pieces anyway and probably use the same idea if it was straight 69ft panels or similar. Either method works ok for me though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I've used both methods in OO/HO, generally using the lay and cut method when I've been building a layout from scratch and the line up method when extending a layout with an additional board. Provided the board alignment is good and repeatable (using dowels or such devices) then both have worked for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted November 18, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 18, 2009 I'm definitely in the align by eye camp, the way I see it thats what you do for every other track joint, so why should it be any different at a baseboard joint? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I use both, but when I 'align by eye' I use a hardwood block, carefully machined to a push fit with the plastic sleepers in place, between the rails over the board join to help alignment when I solder the rails to the copper clad sleepers at the board joins. Then afterwards file a slight chamfer on the inside of the rails to about 2/3 of the rail width at the ends. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penrhos1920 Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 I'm definitely in the Lay and Cut camp for P4. I've tried the Cut and Lay but had disastrous results. Another important consideration is to restrict your rail lengths to 500mm, unless your layout is permanently in a temperature controlled environment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bike2steam Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Alignment dowels ensure that the baseboard ends always match when assembling the layout but do not prevent movement of the top plank of baseboard wood, the track bed. Thats why I always use all plywood construction, I used to make baseboards out of marine ply, but the good quality stuff about today from good wood merchants ( definitely NOT B&Q and the like) means it doesn't need to be marine. 'Movement' is near non existant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Moria Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I prefer lay and cut but that can leave a gap the thickness of the cutting blade. As such, I always clamp a piece of wood or similar the thickness of the blade between the boards when laying and then cut so that afterwards there is no gap at the board joints, or at least it is minimal Regards Graham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 that is a brilliant idea! Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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