Laser cutting from DXF file export

[timbersgalore]

Early results on the long plug test - it seems to work

Timbers

 

[Martin Wynne]

Just to explain that the track-building method shown above is not Plug Track.

For an explanation of the difference, see this post:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.p...d-printing-and-2d-laser-cutting.229/post-2545

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Lets pretend that the chairs are just locator plugs and will be removed once the glue has set then Timbers could check that once the removed chairs are threaded onto rail that the combined rail chair assembly could then be plugged into the sockets.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Lets pretend that the chairs are just locator plugs and will be removed once the glue has set then Timbers could check that once the removed chairs are threaded onto rail that the combined rail chair assembly could then be plugged into the sockets.

@Steve_Cornford @timbersgalore

Well, er,

The chairs from Templot are intended to be an interference press fit in the sockets. Removing them without damaging them will require some careful prising with a thin blade, or pushing out from below. It's possible to do, to repair errors, faults, etc., but normally the whole rail would need to be removed and all the chairs would be scrapped and replaced with a new ones.

If the locator plugs option is selected:

the plugs are made a fraction smaller to be easily removable, and/or re-usable.

But Timbers' chairs above are not from Templot, so his designs and track-building intentions may differ.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[timbersgalore]

I did not enjoy assembling this, it was a bit fiddly to get it right
Resorted to chairs on rails first so that I had something to push on
The other problem was that this was my first use of Frozen ABS like resin - it is so brittle. It was as if I had my bottles mixed up.

I will leave the pictures do the talking

This will not be my method of building track so I plan to start a seperate topic to discuss my progress and receive comments. Martin I have fixed the key length working on random positions so that when I thread them on I get the effect.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@timbersgalore

Hi Timbers,

I'm not surprised that you found it fiddly if you are attempting to fit pre-chaired timbers while loose on both rails, into sockets on the trackbed and glue them at the same time.

The intention for the Templot Plug Track is that the unchaired timbers are in position first. Then the rails are fixed in place one rail at a time. Preferably without glue.

The timbers being either laser-cut and glued in position on a trackbed, or FDM printed with webs to hold them in position.

The Templot chair plugs have a tapered section at the base. It is not difficult to work along a rail, lightly locating one chair at a time over its socket, and then pressing the entire rail home using a large flat object. But surely to goodness only one rail at a time.

Obviously everyone is entirely free to build track any way they choose, but your method in the pictures is going to get mighty confusing if included in the discussions about Templot Plug Track.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[timbersgalore]

Martin you describe how I build the other samples.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Martin you describe how I build the other samples.

@timbersgalore

Timbers (it would be nice to know your name), you have lost me. You posted pictures showing chaired timbers without any rail, so I assumed your intention was to slide the rail in afterwards.

I'm getting in a bit of a muddle, and for now I do want to get on with the programming of the Plug Track, without getting sidetracked into discussions about different track-building methods and chair designs.

cheers,

Martin.