Plug Track Video Series

[James Walters]

Hi Templot Clubbers,

My initial Plug Track video has been completed and passed Martin's inspection, although I suspect he must have cringed through much of it.
Fortunately being a gent he hasn't said so.

The video will go live tomorrow morning at 07:30 GMT, but you should be able to view the video in advance through this link:

I hope it's of some use.

There will be subsequent episodes, which look at Turnouts, etc in greater depth. This is my attempt to show just the basics in the hope it helps folks to get started.

Best,

James

 

[Martin Wynne]

@James Walters

Hi James,

Many thanks for all the work in creating that. It's great.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Davey]

Excellent video James.

Thank you very much.

Davey

 

[Hayfield]

Absolutely brilliant

Thank you

 

[Phil O]

I got about halfway yesterday afternoon, before it was time to do some modelling, I was going to finish it, but it's unavailable again, even with Martin's link. What I have seen is excellent, good work James.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Phil O

Hi Phil,

It has just gone live again -- this time to the whole world.

James mentioned that it would be published at 7.30am today.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[James Walters]

I got about halfway yesterday afternoon, before it was time to do some modelling, I was going to finish it, but it's unavailable again, even with Martin's link. What I have seen is excellent, good work James.

Sorry Phil, YouTube has made some changes recently, and I can no longer schedule a video to go live at a particular time, and keep it as an unlisted video for friends with a link to watch. YouTube is encouraging creators to set-up channel memberships and make advanced viewings a members only perk.
I made the switch from Unlisted to Scheduled when I went to bed last night, hence the video becoming unavailable.

As Martin has posted, it's live again now so you'll be able to finish watching.

 

[James Walters]

Martin, could you possibly move this thread from the members only page to public viewing, just in case and non-members who have watched the video want to post a comment here?

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Congratulations James on your polished Plugtrack production.
The menu zoom ins were a nice touch!
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

Martin, could you possibly move this thread from the members only page to public viewing, just in case and non-members who have watched the video want to post a comment here?

@James Walters

Hi James,

Done: https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?forums/plug-track.34/

I will also put a link in the top plug track banner. Would you prefer it to be a link to this topic (embedded video, no advertising), or to your Bexhill West channel on YouTube?

p.s. after just an hour you are already up to 144 views!

cheers,

Martin.

 

[James Walters]

A link to the channel would be great Martin if possible. Folks may find other bits of interest whilst they are there if they've not visited before. Thank you.

 

[Terry Downes]

Hi Templot Clubbers,

My initial Plug Track video has been completed and passed Martin's inspection, although I suspect he must have cringed through much of it.
Fortunately being a gent he hasn't said so.

The video will go live tomorrow morning at 07:30 GMT, but you should be able to view the video in advance through this link:

I hope it's of some use.

There will be subsequent episodes, which look at Turnouts, etc in greater depth. This is my attempt to show just the basics in the hope it helps folks to get started.

Best,

James

Superb video, well done James & Martin. I noticed the use of some tweezer/plier extensions for handling the chairs. I recall Martin sharing something similar early on during the plug track development but, I cant seem to locate the file sharing/download now. Any ideas where I can locate/download the 3D file for printing my own?

 

[James Walters]

Alas, these aren't the templot tweezer extensions.
To download the official Templot Tweezer Tips click on the export tab in the output settings.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Terry Downes

Hi Terry,

The tweezer STL files in Templot were just a proof of concept. They are too chunky and need more work, but can be filed down as needed. They grip the loose jaw pin, whereas I see James is using ceramic tweezers on the key part of the loose jaw. That's probably a better option.

in both cases they are reverse-action locking tweezers. The tweezer part comes from Amazon, the STL is only for the tips. You also need some M2 bolts to fix them:

Here is the original post about them:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.p...3d-printed-cnc-milled-laser-cut.229/post-5241

Plastic tips (seemingly now unavailable): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08MLB869C

With stronger solder-proof ceramic tips: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LG6B82W

The tweezer tips are on my to-do list for a fresh look, but folks seem to be managing fine anyway.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@James Walters

Hi James,

2,400 views in under 24 hours!

I dare say to YouTube that's nothing, but for a video about hand-building model railway track it strikes me as amazing!

But well deserved for a great video. Many thanks again -- there is no way I could have produced anything like that myself.

Martin.

 

[David Lane]

I am new to Templot and plug in track is a way I want to go. I have 3D printers for the chairs but rather than 3D sleeper bases would like to laser cut them, but can't see anything here on how I export the files from Templot to the laser cutter.

thanks in advance
David

 

[Phil O]

Hi Dave,

it was probably covered a couple of years ago, I will go bach through the threads and see if I can find it, unless someone else beats me to it.

 

[Phil O]

Dave,

Not as far back as I thought, several posts about it on this page.

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.p...al-plug-track-continued.673/page-19#post-7866

HTH.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi David,
It will be worth your while to read through the whole of the experimental plug track thread.

But Martin has made it really easy for us.

As an example...
Here i have stored a P4 gauge LH B6 turnout having switched on experimental chairing, then clicked on the export button which brings up this screen:-

Just click on the timbers only - laser 2D button to set the necessary parameters.

Then click on preview 2-D export to get a preview of the .DXF file that will be exported when you click the export DXF/STL file button:-
On my pc I use Inkscape to inspect .DXF files, so I first get this import screen:

then click ok to get:-

This shows that the resultant .DXF file contains several layers, two of which are actually populated with objects.
KERFSOCK which contains the BLUE sockets, and KERFTIMB containing the timber outlines plus nibs and snibs in GREEN.
You can switch of NIBS and SNIBS if you dont want them.
Have a play with the export screen by clicking on the show settings button, and go to the layers tab to see what is available in the .DXF output.

by the way the edit button to the left o the preview button lets you select what program you use for previews.

Steve