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  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed. Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.
  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.

Fast Tracks Turnout filing jig

Quick reply >

Hayfield

Member
Location
Essex
Something I found on eBay from this Canadian Company
497.jpeg
A filing jig which aids filing the vee and switch rails. from code 75 to 100 and flatbottom as well as bullhead

498.jpeg
Its double sided as well as ended, the longer grove is for the switch blade the shorted for the vee. The other side is exactly the same

499.jpeg
slide the rail in from one end, in this case the right for the switch and file

501.jpeg
It only does 1 side, but the head of the other is quite easy to form

500.jpeg
Slide in from the other side and its the vee rail

502.jpeg
Nicely formed, but unlike the EMGS of P4 Soc jigs, this only does one angle (1-6 in this case), however it does both Vee and switch rails, and more importantly flatbottom as well as bullhead

They are a bit dear $50 USD plus postage, however is building a few at the same angle will soon pay for itself against the cost of commercially made items

Link
https://www.handlaidtrack.com/filing-jigs-pointform
 
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I had a look at their website a while ago and wasn't sure if their jigs would take bullhead as well as FB rail. i note they do a range of crossing angles from 4 to 12. But at a cost of $59 a time maybe a bit pricey but as you say worth it if you're making a lot.
 
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There are just slots at the end (the foot of flatbottom goes between the two blocks, bullhead only in the slot), so it will except either flarbottom or bullhead
 
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The jigs are intended for use with FB rail as used in almost all North American railroads. They take a range of sizes of rail ( code 70 to code 100 in the example illustrated above ) and the jig clamps onto the top and bottom of the rail foot. They can be used for BH rail but then clamp onto the top and bottom faces of the whole rail so in the above jig you would need to use thin metal shim to make sure the BH rail actually projected above the grooves in the jig - otherwise it won't clamp properly.

Rob
 
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I had a look at their website a while ago and wasn't sure if their jigs would take bullhead as well as FB rail. i note they do a range of crossing angles from 4 to 12. But at a cost of $59 a time maybe a bit pricey but as you say worth it if you're making a lot.

Yes you are correct they are expensive, however if you look at the price C&L charge for premade vees and switch rails (£14.50 each) and the difficulty in filing flatbottom rail especially, If you have a number of turnouts to build the cost saving if you were to buy ready prepared rail is actually recouped with making two turnouts. Or if you are time poor

If I was in to building copperclad turnouts especially in flatbottom rail I would buy a 1-5 & 1-7 sets. The switch rails are one sided but its easy with a sharp file to finish off the head, with bullhead you could use the EMGS/P4 jigs for the head side only. Again the Vee is one sided, but you could file the outside first, bend straight then file the inside

These jigs are very good and much better than mk 1 eyeball
 
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Yes you are correct they are expensive,
@Hayfield

Hi John,

Has anyone looked at 3D printing some filing jigs? They would be disposable, likely lasting for only a few vees, but would cost only pence in materials, and could be any angle you like. The PLA polymer is remarkably tough and refuses to be filed. The only way to work it is with emery sticks. It should last long enough to file a few rails.

When I've got a bit more time I will try printing one and see if it works. I could even imagine Templot creating an STL file for a filing jig for any V-crossing in the track plan. :)

Do you still use your Lidl sanding disc in trackbuilding?

cheers,

Martin.
 
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@Hayfield

Hi John,

Has anyone looked at 3D printing some filing jigs? They would be disposable, likely lasting for only a few vees, but would cost only pence in materials, and could be any angle you like. The PLA polymer is remarkably tough and refuses to be filed. The only way to work it is with emery sticks. It should last long enough to file a few rails.

When I've got a bit more time I will try printing one and see if it works. I could even imagine Templot creating an STL file for a filing jig for any V-crossing in the track plan. :)

Do you still use your Lidl sanding disc in trackbuilding?

cheers,

Martin.

Martin

Yes to the Lidl bench sander for code 100 FB and 7mm items, though with this filing jig code 100 it will be fine for switch blades and 1-6 vees and lower (just fill the gap with solder. Regarding Lidl, I am still waiting for their ice-cream maker which has just been freed from the Sues Canal, 18v strimmer and water but (the last two to match existing item/ranges). Well worth keeping an eye on for tools and gardening, plus own brand green olives and gherkins.

Anyone who has the tools could mill the blocks up, though being able to do this in hardened steel might be quite a feat. as for 3D printing they would get destroyed very quickly as the files would eat them up
 
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message ref: 1958
as for 3D printing they would get destroyed very quickly as the files would eat them up
@Hayfield

Hi John,

I'm not convinced about that. This PLA Plus polymer I'm using is very tough -- I can't file it, files just skid over the surface. I think you could file several rails in it before it got too worn to use. Then you just switch on the printer and make another one while you have some lunch. :)

I'm going to give it a try, anyway.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 1959
@Hayfield

Hi John,

I'm not convinced about that. This PLA Plus polymer I'm using is very tough -- I can't file it, files just skid over the surface. I think you could file several rails in it before it got too worn to use. Then you just switch on the printer and make another one while you have some lunch. :)

I'm going to give it a try, anyway.

cheers,

Martin.
Martin

I wrongly assumed it was soft like the things are from Shapeways

Can you print me a 1-5 please
 
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message ref: 1961
I am very good at being the test dummy

Seriously, the principal is very simple and I am surprised some enterprising modeller this side of the pond has not made a similar item
 
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message ref: 1963
John, Martin,
3D prints sound nice, worth watching how Martin gets on with this.

The only issue I have with buying any ready made filing jig is you tend to design your layout around the fixed sizes you have the jig(s) for. Following a prototype plan is unlikely to give where all the crossing work matches the sizes you have.

Although it may seem old hat these days the old method of milling some blocks from steel is still an option. You would just use a swivel vice to allow the steel to be rotated to the right angle using some little card/plastikard jigs. Harden the steel after the cutting/milling is done. Mind you like a lots of things the setup time to produce them in single quantities can seem daunting - mind you the society stores always seem to be out of stock of them so there is an opportunity. Back to the disc sander me thinks......

Rob
 
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message ref: 1964
The only issue I have with buying any ready made filing jig is you tend to design your layout around the fixed sizes you have the jig(s) for. Following a prototype plan is unlikely to give where all the crossing work matches the sizes you have.
@Guinea_Pig_Tester

Hi Rob,

IF it works, big IF, my idea is that you could click on any V-crossing in Templot, and get a STL file to print a filing jig for it. Any angle.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 1965
Now if someone could produce a complete V or K crossing jig to line up all the rails, that would be marvellous! Filing is the easy bit, it's lining everything up that I find takes time.
 
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message ref: 1966
Now if someone could produce a complete V or K crossing jig to line up all the rails, that would be marvellous! Filing is the easy bit, it's lining everything up that I find takes time.
@roythebus

Hi Roy,

I'm hoping that when I've got the 3D crossing chairs done, they will do that for you. :)

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 1967
Now if someone could produce a complete V or K crossing jig to line up all the rails, that would be marvellous! Filing is the easy bit, it's lining everything up that I find takes time.
Hi Roy,
You can get them in 7mm scale, milled from paxolin. Can't think I have seen them in 4mm scale anywhere.

Rob
 
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message ref: 1968
Interesting, I must see if I can get around to finishing the assembly of the filament printer I bought some time ago!
 
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message ref: 1969
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message ref: 2015
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