Hi Andrew,
Nice job with the loose heel pivots. I did see the same thing at track making demo a few years back but he used smaller bolts ( can't remember the size ) that were not visible once the rail was soldered on top. He did admit to thinking that maybe a larger size bolt would be more robust in the long run so maybe you have it spot on. I guess the cosmetic chair on top will hide the bolt though ?
I have been doing a few track items today. Batch filing of frogs common crossings and switch rails in code 82 flat bottom rail for some US project I have in mind. I also milled down some copperclad to use in the turnouts as thin copperclad strips are hard to find and expensive if you do.
Rob
Hello Rob
Thanks and yes I could use a smaller size of bolt and yes it would be neater, or infact turn down the head a bit which would do the same thing probably, and you know, the perfectionist in me thinks "yes what a good idea". But did I do it? No. I suppose I'm a bit of a bodger as well at heart. When I see \ read the attention to detail that many go to, John(Hayfield) and Tony come to mind, and there are many others, who will go to great lengths to model the track in the correct length panels and make sure that exactly the correct chair is used in the right position in the point work, and I do actually identify quite strongly with that level of commitment. But I am building a largish layout by myself and am trying to create a picture of how the place looked in 1922. The picture is by no means a photograph, it's more like an impressionist painting (trust Monet, Manet at al will forgive me!) and I know that if I'd been unable to get the correct two bolt chairs, then I'd have used 3 bolt instead and actually that wouldn't have worried me too much. Partly because my eyes aren't that good these days and partly because it I'm a broad brush stroke sort of bloke. I'm happily using C&L flexi track and I doubt that's correct for GWR 1920's but it doesn't worry me.
What would concern me though is bullhead rail soldered/attached directly to the sleeper, because that, to my eye, really does show. The elegant rather delicate look of bullhead track makes the most huge difference to the look of the layout I think, and although the rail is only raised a smidgen over half a mil off the sleeper, it matters a lot to me that it's there (the gap).
Writing about this rather gungho, lackadaisical approach on this, a track building forum, is possibly a risky strategy, but I'm not really telling you Rob, or any of you who have observed my antics for the last 7 years, anything you didn't already know. You have always been kind and constructive in your criticism and I've had loads of encouragement, friendship and humour that continues to make it hugely enjoyable.
Well, that was a longer answer than either of us was expecting I'll wager! Does the cosmetic chair cover the bolt head....yes sort of, in a bodgerish sort of way...don't look too close!
Milling copper paxolin. What for exactly and do you have a picture or two..?
Kind regards
Andrew