Rail filing jigs - 3D printed

[Hayfield]

These are super jigs and so easy to use.

Could I be so rude as to suggest a slight modification, how about having a second groove on the opposite face for an appropriate switch size, all that is required is a slot at the correct shallower angle, which will run on the inside

eg for a 1-5 either an A or as Martin likes a GWR 9' switch. on a 1-7 a B switch.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Could I be so rude as to suggest a slight modification

@Hayfield

Hi John,

You are not being rude! Making suggestions is what Templot Club is here for.

Sure, I intend to do jigs for all crossing angles, and for blade planing, and bending jigs for knuckles, sets, check rail ends, etc.

What I'm hoping is that for any template on the screen, you can click a button and get all the jigs needed to build it.

The snag is that it all takes so much time to do. There is a limit to how much time I can spend at the computer -- some days now my 73-year-old brain runs out of steam after a few hours. At present lots of folks are waiting for the special switch and crossing chairs for Plug Track. Especially now we have a cheap FDM printer which anyone can use to print the timbering bases.

I did the 1:5 filing jig purely as a trial to see if the idea of a plastic filing jig would work. It wasn't intended to be the final design, it needs to be smaller so that it can fit on the little 3D printer. I will do another one soon.

In the meantime of course, anyone with an FDM printer could create and post their own designs, the jigs don't have to come from Templot.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Just a thought for Martin. I have printed out the filing jig and put together. May it be possible in future jigs if on one side there could be say two locating pegs with corresponding location holes on the other side.

@KHC1

Hi Keith,

Your jig looks good. Thanks for posting the pic.

The problem with locating pegs and slots is that they are useless if not very accurate. But FDM printers vary. It would likely be necessary to first make a test print on the printer and adjust the settings to get a precise fit.

For the trial jig I opted for a design using a bash fit on an M6 roofing bolt in a square hole as the means of location. A bash fit is much more forgiving of size variations and printing tolerances.

Unfortunately as it worked out the fit on the bolt is a bit loose, and could usefully be tightened up in the next program update. M6 bolts also vary of course.

Also it is convenient to use the same design for the top and bottom of the jig. It just needs to be mirrored in Templot or in the slicer to make the opposite half. With pegs and slots it would need two separate designs (which could possibly both be printed at the same time).

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Rob Manchester]

Keith,
You need some wing nuts rather than simple nuts so you can just tighten them with the fingers. A coach bolt with a squared shoulder under the head that seated in the back of the jig would be nice too.

Great job though.

Rob

 

[KHC1]

Keith,
You need some wing nuts rather than simple nuts so you can just tighten them with the fingers. A coach bolt with a squared shoulder under the head that seated in the back of the jig would be nice too.

Great job though.

Rob

Rob I totally agree but i went for speed and used what i had to hand. Just need to get some rail to practice on especially as i am useless at soldering. But the first new year resolution is to build turnouts so i must buckle down......

Keith

 

[Rob Manchester]

Keith,
Clean parts, plenty of flux, the right solder and make sure the joint doesn't move until it is cooled sufficiently - get those right and you can't go wrong with soldering. Practice makes perfect........

Rob

 

[KHC1]

My simple 3D printed bending jig as well. Measures about 40mm x 16mm x 8mm. I already have two printed out.

Keith

 

[LittleWestern]

Fantastic jigs guys!

I've recently decided to try and figure out my own. I'll update as I go along in here and in my layout thread - https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/gwr-branch-terminus-journey.445/page-2#post-4405
I will be getting one of the 1:5 printed over the weekend to test it out, luckily on my small industrial project, all turnouts are 1:5

Thanks again!