Plug track at Scaleforum

[David Sutton]

@James Walters @David Sutton @gavin @Tim Lewis

Hi James,

It's a good few years ago now. It was a project to get everyone in the local S4 area group building electronics. We called them the Toffee-Tin Controllers. A very basic circuit, but worked well with most motors. There were several on Adavoyle Junction, and I think a few are still in use.

Likewise the home-made RSUs. Getting everyone winding transformers was an interesting evening. As they were mains-based I insisted on inspecting and testing them. I remember making some brass brackets to allow a thermal trip to be embedded in the secondary winding. Several are still in use. Happy days.

cheers,

Martin.

My RSU and two 'toffee tin' controllers are still working perfectly, and in regular use. When Martin provides the design, the knowhow, and sources all the components, the only thing left is to find a suitable tin, so you can't go wrong.

 

[Martin Wynne]

My RSU and two 'toffee tin' controllers are still working perfectly, and in regular use. When Martin provides the design, the knowhow, and sources all the components, the only thing left is to find a suitable tin, so you can't go wrong.

@David Sutton

Thanks David, good to hear they are still working well.

How old are they? Can you remember the date? I think maybe mid 1990s, so now 30 years old.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[David Sutton]

I couldn't say exactly, but it was in the early years of SHAG when we met in Gavin's workshop, so mid 90's would be a reasonable estimate. All the best, David.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi @Martin Wynne , @James Walters @Hayfield

With reference to samples that may or may not be handed out @ Scaleforum.

So far chairs and timbering bases for a B7 have been mentioned.

What about pre-filed point & splice rail, as I assume you are not handing out filing jigs, but if you are do we need to start printing them?

If it is not too late, would it not be better to make the crossing angle a non-integer. ie 7.25 in order to bring home the idea of the crossing rail filing jig concept?

How many sets are you intending to have available?

I am happy to print some bases or jigs on my Kingroon if required.

Steve

 

[Hayfield]

Steve

As far as I am concerned any samples we have to show will be beneficial, I will be taking a box of jigs I have printed along with rail and a file. For me the ease of use is more important, but if you print a common crossing brick and a filing jig with a non standard angle along with the appropriate chairs, would be an excellent demonstration piece

I am waiting for Martin to finish the B7 which I can print whilst the show is on, plus have ready made prints for folk to handle, James said he would supply a set or two of chairs, as I an struggling with my resin printing

 

[James Walters]

Hi Steve,

I'm currently putting together a D12 curved crossover with tracks extending each side of the crossover such that a locomotive can be run back and forth, a Barry Slip as it covers a range of 'skills' and a catch point, which I think is probably the easiest demo piece which shows just about everything, omitting rails, chair heaving, etc. These will all have FDM bases with wiring clipped into the timbering as per Martin's design intention.

I may also take along one of my challenge baseboards, although I've not progressed these as far as I'd like to have.

I will also have a variety of filing jigs, those for the formations described above and others which I've printed, together with all the tools etc to allow people to have a go themselves.

I will also have a pile of laser-cut and FDM timbering bases which folks can play with - plugging chars, etc.

As to what might be available as a give-away, time permitting I hope to have a stock of short bases, and combined rafts of chairs and loose jaws to suit. As for numbers thereof I'm not sure, it'll be as many as I can.

Steve, the suggestion of a non-integer crossing angle is a good one. I'll make sure that we have something available for inspection. Non-standard angles will be covered in the classroom session, but having a demo example on the tables is a great idea.

Cheers,

James

 

[Martin Wynne]

Hi Steve,

I'm currently putting together a D12 curved crossover with tracks extending each side of the crossover such that a locomotive can be run back and forth, a Barry Slip as it covers a range of 'skills' and a catch point, which I think is probably the easiest demo piece which shows just about everything, omitting rails, chair heaving, etc. These will all have FDM bases with wiring clipped into the timbering as per Martin's design intention.

I may also take along one of my challenge baseboards, although I've not progressed these as far as I'd like to have.

I will also have a variety of filing jigs, those for the formations described above and others which I've printed, together with all the tools etc to allow people to have a go themselves.

I will also have a pile of laser-cut and FDM timbering bases which folks can play with - plugging chars, etc.

As to what might be available as a give-away, time permitting I hope to have a stock of short bases, and combined rafts of chairs and loose jaws to suit. As for numbers thereof I'm not sure, it'll be as many as I can.

Steve, the suggestion of a non-integer crossing angle is a good one. I'll make sure that we have something available for inspection. Non-standard angles will be covered in the classroom session, but having a demo example on the tables is a great idea.

Cheers,

James

View attachment 10898

@James Walters

Hi James,

Wow!

How on Earth do you find time to do all that?

If looking for a non-standard angle, may I suggest 1:7.5 ?

This is a common size on the prototype for a curved diamond-crossing or slip, which means the connecting turnouts are likely to be 1:7.5 too. Fixed K-crossings are allowed up to 1:8, but only if dead straight. For curved versions, it is usual to sharpen back to 1:7.5

But no more than that, otherwise the slip radius gets too sharp for running lines.

A 1:7.5 curved slip crossover is a fine thing -- or will be, when I have got the K-crossings done.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Phil G]

Hi James,

I'm currently putting together a D12 curved crossover with tracks extending each side of the crossover such that a locomotive can be run back and forth, a Barry Slip as it covers a range of 'skills' and a catch point, which I think is probably the easiest demo piece which shows just about everything, omitting rails, chair heaving, etc

How do you do all of this? do you have it set up as projects for your students?
cheers
Phil

 

[Phil O]

James,

A D12 turnout will be something to behold, most of us don't have the space to accommodate turnouts of that size.

 

[James Walters]

@James Walters

Hi James,

Wow!

How on Earth do you find time to do all that?

If looking for a non-standard angle, may I suggest 1:7.5 ?

This is a common size on the prototype for a curved diamond-crossing or slip, which means the connecting turnouts are likely to be 1:7.5 too. Fixed K-crossings are allowed up to 1:8, but only if dead straight. For curved versions, it is usual to sharpen back to 1:7.5

But no more than that, otherwise the slip radius gets too sharp for running lines.

A 1:7.5 curved slip crossover is a fine thing -- or will be, when I have got the K-crossings done.

cheers,

Martin.

1:7.5 it is Martin, and I shall look forward to those K-crossings.

 

[James Walters]

James,

A D12 turnout will be something to behold, most of us don't have the space to accommodate turnouts of that size.

I thought it would be nice to have a demo piece which will look impressive with the potential to so some running. It's the biggest I could get onto a reasonable curve, that could still sit on a shelf.

 

[James Walters]

Hi James,

How do you do all of this? do you have it set up as projects for your students?
cheers
Phil

Insomnia helps.

 

[Martin Wynne]

I am waiting for Martin to finish the B7 which I can print whilst the show is on

@Hayfield

Hi John,

Sorry about the delay, here are your STL files. Have been fixed in 3D Builder, don't do them again. Ready for slicing in Cura.

It's a P4 B-7 RH in 2 clip-together parts, switch and crossing.

1. STL with both parts, linked with splints to make a single brick. This makes it easier to hold while sanding, and makes sure the two parts don't get muddled up until you are ready to use them.

2. STL for switch part only.

3. STL for crossing part only.

If doing both takes too long, you could maybe do one part on the Saturday and the other on Sunday.

The connector clips have cages round them for better-quality printing of the clip part. You trim off the cage for use, obviously.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Hayfield]

Martin

Thank you for the files, as I said no rush but thanks
Strange that printing them separately is quicker than printing both together
First switch being printed as I write this, I plan to have 2 complete prints at Scaleforum one with chairs and rails a second which can be handled, will be printing a third set during the show both days

I will email James for some chairs

Thanks again

John

 

[James Walters]

Hi John,

I'll try to have your chairs printed tomorrow although it maybe Monday, and I'll get them in the post to you.

 

[Hayfield]

First print finished, just about to set up the printer so I can start printing first thing.

Just need some chairs in P4 please

 

[Hayfield]

The second brick finished,

Now printing a large file with a long print time using the double file, why ? because I can.

Real reason is I am being lazy, it will take just as long after I have let the print cool down, then clean and prepare the printing plate

 

[Hayfield]

I have decided to do some much needed homework for the next few days and stop bothering folk, but I have failed at the first hurdle

I am trying to find a tutorial or thread on how to add clips to the print halves, tried searching but failing to find anything

John

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi John,
Starting point, a bit of plain straight track as an example, split into two bricks, left yellow, right green.

press <ctrl+F8> to move the peg along to where you want the pin-hole of the connector clip to be.
then click [stop].
Then > Geometry > notch > put notch under peg

If you have not already clicked the [3D] button, click it now and tick bricklaying & brick colour (of the brick you are adding the clip to), in this case the left hand yellow clip.
Now > Shapes > Clip > add new clip at notch

this gives you:-

now use the [3D] panel to change the colour to the right hand brick colour (green)

now on the shapes menu.... Shapes > Clip > add a paired clip

this gives you the other half of the clip:-

However we need to make sure the clips join onto the timbers properly, so in this case we need to increase the clip size, we do this by:-
shapes > clip > mouse action : adjust clip size

you can now use the mouse , or click on the blue size text to pop-up a data entry screen.

You can also swap the direction of the clip by shapes > clip > swap clip direction.

to get:-

I have used this as an easy example, but the basic principles apply to the joins between other templates, or even between brick splints, as long as you can a) move the peg b) put notch under peg c) add new clip at notch.

This is the method I use, but there might be other better methods.......
No clips were hurt during this process
Hope this helps
Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi John,

I should have changed claws to tommy bar, rather than swap clip direction, to maintain the correct colour relationship with the bricks, sorry....

Steve

 

[Hayfield]

Hi John,

I should have changed claws to tommy bar, rather than swap clip direction, to maintain the correct colour relationship with the bricks, sorry....
View attachment 10981
View attachment 10982

Steve

Steve

Thank you very much I will give it a go, expect some stupid questions.

Is it worth having a thread of its own with a correct title, which may help others in the future and save time replying in the future ?

 

[KHC1]

Hi all, John keep asking questions then I will learn as well. I have been trying to find an easy guide to creating bricks as it’s currently my downfall. Up to now I have split my turnout using the number sleepers so use length and blanking. I have wondered if in the future we could dial in the size of the build plate and with the magic of Templot it would build the bricks automatically.

Keith

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Keith, you can make a background shape that matches your usable build plate size, then use this a guide for deciding where to sllit you origin templates jbti bricks.
I strongly recomend the use of colour for bricks..
It us easy to see the brick templates in your box when listing as it displays a column with the brick colour.
Steve

 

[Phil O]

If I remember correctly, Martin covered the production of bricks in one of the Zoom meetings, whilst he was crocked,with his shoulder.

 

[Hayfield]

Hi all, John keep asking questions then I will learn as well. I have been trying to find an easy guide to creating bricks as it’s currently my downfall. Up to now I have split my turnout using the number sleepers so use length and blanking. I have wondered if in the future we could dial in the size of the build plate and with the magic of Templot it would build the bricks automatically.

Keith

Keith

I think this is the topic you require

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/extracting-a-3d-timbering-brick-from-a-track-plan.295/

I think it started long before I got to that stage, once you get the hang of it its OK but start with easy bits first. You have to use both blanking and length a lot. As Steve has said use shapes to outline your printing plate and perhaps overlay them a bit as sleepers have a habit of occupying's 2 bricks (you will soon find out what I am talking about)

Practice on 50cm of plain track and split into 3 bricks
Then do the same with 2 tracks slightly offset from each other

John

 

[Martin Wynne]

.
The thing to remember with bricks is that it doesn't matter where they are -- the Cura slicer moves them to the centre of the print bed wherever they are. So group and duplicate the templates from your track plan. Shift them as a group into fresh air on the trackpad. There you can adjust the joins with the length and blanking actions, set brick colours, add the assemblers (splints and clips) -- all without affecting your original track plan.

Yes, I seem to remember doing all this in a Zoom meeting. There is also a whole topic on the subject, but it's a bit garbled because it was being posted to while I was making changes and inventing the process:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/295

cheers,

Martin.

 

[KHC1]

Thanks all just right for a wet day. Also heaving timbers and getting chairs in the right place.

Keith
I’m getting there slowly

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Keith,
How did your timber shoving and chair heaving go?
Steve

 

[KHC1]

Hi Steve that’s a project for a couple of weeks time.

Keith

 

[Hayfield]

The printer spent yesterday and afternoon printing a complete turnout, sadly as Martin said too long for the exhibition. but a handy example to show

Sadly the name tag failed to stick to the plate and in the end the first timber deformed and the second might be affected. Not an issue as I can just print anther switch half.

Anyway nearly ready for Scaleforum as far as turnout bases and something to print.

Next up is to compile a check list for the items I need to take

John

 

[Hayfield]

Hi Keith,
How did your timber shoving and chair heaving go?
Steve

Steve

Sounds like the end of a good night down the pub

Home work with me and either tonight or tomorrow I will start following your instructions

John

 

[Penrhos1920]

I've started writing instructions for creating bricks. I did this because I found that I kept forgetting how to split templates across many bricks. If you find these helpful I can finish them and load them in the right place in the githubTemplot 5.

One thing I haven't worked out how to do is create the boundary around the clips to prevent them getting filled in by the printer as shown here top LH corner and bottom RH corner:

View attachment 11009


John

 

[Martin Wynne]

One thing I haven't worked out how to do is create the boundary around the clips to prevent them getting filled in by the printer

@Penrhos1920

Hi Richard,

On the layers tab, tick the box for brim fence:

In the next program update I have extended them and increased the height of them, and changed the name to cage. They don't show on the trackpad screen, but are added in the DXF/STL export. You can see the new style in John's photo, the STL file for which is from the next update (version 555a). It should be available in the next week or so.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Terry Downes]

Hi John,

I'll try to have your chairs printed tomorrow although it maybe Monday, and I'll get them in the post to you.

Hi James, are You intending to show any Plug Track laser cut timbers with resin chairs at the show? or do we think this adding too many variables? I'm intending to attend the show early Saturday morning so, I could provide a sample if You like but, understand if this is over egging it!

 

[James Walters]

Hi Terry,
Yes, I will have some laser cut timbering on display, but I'd like to see an example of your work. I've no doubt it'll show my efforts up.
I may possibly also bring one of my challenge layout baseboards.
Would you like to see the fruits of my fibre-laser labours? I could bring the breakdown crane along and some loco chassis I've been working on.

Cheers,

James

 

[Phil G]

@Terry Downes @James Walters
Hi Terry,
are you still thinking of switch to S4? or have you already done that? Or is that likely to happen after the Scaleforum show.
James. are you still planning to do the Kirtley 600 project? maybe thats one of the chassis your talking about?
Cheers
Phil

 

[Terry Downes]

Hi Terry,
Yes, I will have some laser cut timbering on display, but I'd like to see an example of your work. I've no doubt it'll show my efforts up.
I may possibly also bring one of my challenge layout baseboards.
Would you like to see the fruits of my fibre-laser labours? I could bring the breakdown crane along and some loco chassis I've been working on.

Cheers,

James

Hi James,
Sounds like You have everything 'plug track' covered for the show so, I look forward to meeting You and reviewing your fibre laser labours etc. I will post more regarding my personal plug track progress at my 'Share and Show' page '00-SF Princes Risborough' later. (sorry, I'm not sure how to create a link)
Terry

 

[Terry Downes]

@Terry Downes @James Walters
Hi Terry,
are you still thinking of switch to S4? or have you already done that? Or is that likely to happen after the Scaleforum show.
James. are you still planning to do the Kirtley 600 project? maybe thats one of the chassis your talking about?
Cheers
Phil

Hi Phil, No, S4 is not for me at the moment. I will explain more at my 'Share and Show' page '00-SF Princes Risborough' later.

 

[Phil G]

Hi Phil, No, S4 is not for me at the moment. I will explain more at my 'Share and Show' page '00-SF Princes Risborough' later.

Hi Terry,
My mistake I understood you were seriously thinking of switching to S4 when you were doing the diamond crossings for Princes Risborough. I look forward to your share and show page
cheers
phil,.