RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted May 25, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Stephen Freeman said: Just opened Templot - no update or Y turnout. @Stephen Freeman Hi Stephen, Please close Templot and restart. You should see an update message. If not, download from: https://85a.uk/templot/companion/installation.php cheers, Martin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Freeman Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 20 minutes ago, martin_wynne said: @Stephen Freeman Hi Stephen, Please close Templot and restart. You should see an update message. If not, download from: https://85a.uk/templot/companion/installation.php cheers, Martin. Hi, That seems to have fixed it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted May 26, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 26, 2021 Hi John, Something you have asked for in the past. Templot can now give you a full breakdown of timbering requirements for a track plan. This might be useful if you are ordering plastic timbers or individual laser-cut timbers: There are options to print, PDF, and copy the list if you right-click on it. cheers, Martin. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted May 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 28, 2021 Hi John, A new feature in Templot which you might like is the option to mark the positions of feed droppers and isolation gaps on the templates: More info at: https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/templot2-update-version-227b-now-available.180/post-1566 cheers, Martin. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted May 28, 2021 Author Share Posted May 28, 2021 Martin I noticed these, I think for me the red fishplates are extremely useful and I always electrically bond the switch rails to the stock rails What amazes me is how Templot has changed over the years, the fact that many complicated turnouts/crossings/slips can be created with a few clicks of the mouse. Too many folk still thing you must be a computer and or CAD expert to use Templot, or that it does not work on Mac's. On the other hand would you ever get anything done is the masses used it I am just gobsmacked at the ease of making slips and 3 ways, and now we have symmetrical Y's. Joking apart it seems many more modellers are taking trackwork more seriously and now we have Wayne's easy to build turnouts, things are moving on apace ps I have now sorted out the parapets, no excuse not to start that east end cameo layout 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpgibbons Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 Very handy. I've not seen droppers to the check rails before. Is that a S4/S7 thing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted May 30, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 30, 2021 3 hours ago, dpgibbons said: Very handy. I've not seen droppers to the check rails before. Is that a S4/S7 thing? Hi, No, it applies to all gauges if the check rails are insulated from the stock rails, such as when using plastic chairs. If the back of the wheel rubs against the check rail, as it will do quite often, the rolling action tends to lift the wheel fractionally off the stock rail, losing electrical pickup momentarily. Putting a dropper on the check rail ensures you get continuous pickup and much smoother running. Obviously if you use copper-clad construction or similar, where the check rail is electrically connected to the stock rail, you don't need to do that. cheers, Martin. 1 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 (edited) A person who I have dealings with bought some stock from a person who was selling their collection mainly due to ill health and was pleased it would be kept together. These two became friends and started communicating with each other. The person who sold their stock was very much interested in model railways but unable to model, however still has a very active mind To cut a longer story short, they decided to design a layout based on Port Victoria off the Medway as it has an interesting history, a plan is being hatched and my friend decided to build it with a great deal of input from his friend. I was asked to knock up a couple of designs in Templot and the basis has been agreed. My friend has a couple of small spare boards and as I have plenty of spare bits lying around I offered them to the project. I cut the copperclad timbers, then marked up and cut the isolation slats in the timbers, then filled up the gaps with diluted filler and set aside overnight to harden. I cut the isolation gaps before fitting the rails as its far easier to find the faults (if there are any) without the rails, it can save hours and makes a nice neat job A few minutes this morning with a file and the filler was levelled. It looks like the gaps are still there, but when its painted they will be gone. Many will say why bother the answer is twofold, firstly it looks better, secondly I can test the complex as I build it I have plenty of old unused rail, I cleaned some up and spent the rest of the hour I put aside making the vees and fitting a few rails Edited June 28, 2021 by hayfield 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted June 28, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2021 14 minutes ago, hayfield said: A few minuets this morning Better than a trip to the gym? wikimedia creative commons Martin. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share Posted June 28, 2021 6 minutes ago, martin_wynne said: Better than a trip to the gym? wikimedia creative commons Martin. Don't tell the wife, she will have me over to the sports centre doing the Samba on Friday nights 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 29, 2021 Author Share Posted June 29, 2021 A project which takes up a few minutes a day, this is a super bit of kit from the EMGS stores, its an EM block gauge with a crossing alignment aid, made by DD Wheelwrights , they also sell a P4 gauge version. Its ever so useful for copperclad and ply and rivet construction, just frees up the odd finger. Block gauges are useful anyway which ever gauge you work in, I even have an 00 gauge one 6 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 30, 2021 Author Share Posted June 30, 2021 The trailing crossover is moving on a bit, just a pair of switch and check rails needed Next project is a group of three B6 turnouts in 00 gauge, timbers cut and common crossings built. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 The crossover was finished this morning, tested then I covered the rail heads with masking tape strips as I wanted to see how good a job I did on hiding the isolation gaps Well whilst not 100% hidden a coat of etched primer has hidden most traces of the isolation gaps which I filled and sanded prior to fitting the rails. Now off to my friend who is the artist. I would get the airbrush our a blast of sleeper grime first followed by a rustier shade of grime along the rail sides over spraying on to the timbers. My friend is goung to brush paing and do a much better job Some may think this method has gone a bit over the top for a copperclad turnout, I think it has potentially saved time and looks far better Certainly by making the isolation cuts first, then checking there are no shorts potentially saves time and a lot of needless extra butchery. Filling the gaps prior to fitting the rails, takes little time and certainly makes the sanding quick and simple, must have added only 30 mins to the build time 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 2, 2021 Author Share Posted July 2, 2021 The next selection of turnouts are starting to take shape, these are part of an 8 turnout complex 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 Coming along nicely but plenty to do. Check rails are missing as are the Timber (copperclad actually) tiebars and the bonding wires between the switch and stock rails. Still another job nearly chalked off 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 3, 2021 Author Share Posted July 3, 2021 With the first part of Port Victoria with my friend who is now hastily adapting the 2 baseboards which were set aside for the project, I can think of the next part The plan is now on a building board and the copperclad timbers cut 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 A bit more done on the latest group of turnouts The third turnout nearing completion, timber tiebars , wiring and final testing the next jobs on all 8 in the complex Sunday may be a loco day just for a change 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 The next part for project Port Victoria The electrical isolation gaps were worked out then cut with a junior hacksaw, boy how these glassfibre strips blunt the blade A close up of the more complicated area, as I spend about an hour a day on this project all I could get done was the cutting of the isolation gaps, next up I will test each strip then fill the gaps I got an email from my friend over the weekend as getting a primed crossover was a bit of a surprise, (a nice one I hope) the idea is to cheer up the final recipient. Nearly out of SMP strip and still have two more turnouts to build, must order some more 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 Many may have seen this timber tiebar before, others may not. Its my way of hiding the copperclad tiebar The copperclad tiebar is actually one of the timbers, pre gapped with the slot filled, the brass slide chairs are cut in two The slide chair baseplates are soldered to the copperclad timber, put in place and the points of the switch rail are soldered to them The outer parts of the slide chairs are soldered to the stock rails. The timber is able to move to alter the direction, the outer parts of the chairs stay on the rails. Simply just use whatever actuation method you prefer 4 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 I gap filled the timbers this morning, will let set solid for 24 hours as I thin the filler with Humbrol Liquid Poly, it makes if nice and runny and sticks in the gaps A closer view showing how many isolation gaps are required (I bet I have missed one or two) 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 7, 2021 Author Share Posted July 7, 2021 Busy day with visitors so grabbed what time I could Decided to start building the common crossings, then started fitting the stock rails. Progress will now slow down as other commitments take precedence 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 8, 2021 Author Share Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) I bought a nice piece of kit off eBay for £25 plus postage, a flat bottom1-6 vee and switch rail jig for codes 75 to 100 there are 2 slots both sides, slide a rail in one way its the vee the other way its the switch As you can see just slide the rail in and file, One switch rail, the result on the right (the other hand is on the other side The shorter grove is for the vee The finished result New these jigs are $60 USD + postage, for me a very quick win for filing code 100 (or 75 or 82) to 1-6 angles, I have just tried a piece of code 75 bullhead rail in the switch part and it works a treat, may save me a bit of time filing switch rails Edited July 8, 2021 by hayfield 7 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 The complex is finished and ready for painting Quite a bit of metal in the middle and thankfully I had a small pointed tip which was just the job 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dominion Posted July 11, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2021 On 08/07/2021 at 12:21, hayfield said: I bought a nice piece of kit off eBay for £25 plus postage, a flat bottom1-6 vee and switch rail jig for codes 75 to 100 there are 2 slots both sides, slide a rail in one way its the vee the other way its the switch As you can see just slide the rail in and file, One switch rail, the result on the right (the other hand is on the other side The shorter grove is for the vee The finished result New these jigs are $60 USD + postage, for me a very quick win for filing code 100 (or 75 or 82) to 1-6 angles, I have just tried a piece of code 75 bullhead rail in the switch part and it works a treat, may save me a bit of time filing switch rails These are what I use too John. I really like them. I am in Ontario like Fast Tracks so I was able to pick them up in person and see the manufacturing facility they have which was good to see. Tom 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 Along with Wayne and Finetrax, Templot is not only developing as a track design piece of software but also embracing 3D printing, away from actually printing chairs and turnouts Martin Wynn has designed a 3D printed filing jig Rail is inserted between the two blocks File the tips accurately A near perfect join is made (I used an EMGS jig to hold the rails together, a simple jig from thick card can be made) Very quickly a nice 1-5 vee is made 9 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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