I'm about to start laying track on Another Bridge Too Far, which will be straight. I could have cut a length of ply 32mm wide and used that, but thought I'd make a 3D printed Jig. The idea is to drill a pair of 2mm dia holes on the track center line 65 mm apart, apply glue to baseboard, lay the track in position and then place the jig between the rails and screw the jig into place aligned with the holes. The jig was created in created in Autodesk 123D Design (the free version) Then imported into Makerware, duplicated to make two at a time Material used PLA, Temp 210C, 25% infill, Bed heated to 70C (actually approx 50C), 0.1mm layer height. These will take a while to print so I will post pics once completed. Paul
Maybe get another version for the curved boards when I get round to them - I think there is a pun in there Paul
Not sure how long they took to print Fits nice and snug between the rails and the rebates clear the chairs allowing the jig to be slid along the sleepers. Mark 2 smaller clamps (probably 32mm square) will have a slot so that the clamping screw can be installed on the center line then the jig slid under the screw head and clamped down. The two larger jigs used to keep the track straight. Here is the concept Now just to make it. Paul
I take it this is like a track setta type item. You run it along the track to keep the track straight when laying it.
Yep - but will clamp the track in place while the glue dries, the screws go between the sleepers and not through the sleeper. Also as the base of the jig sits on the sleepers the sleeper will be held flat. 32% of the print done so has probably got another hour and half to go , so again piccies tomorrow. Paul
Very clever idea Paul so simple but a really useful set of tools to have. Could also be used for setting up across joins etc Shorter ones could also be used to set curved sections of track as well
Why do all these good ideas come up just when you have finished track laying and are on to scenery? Murphy's law? Must be. Cheers Richard
Been there Did a quick check this morning and the print was successful . Will post pics when I get home. Chris ,for curves I think I will make some almost triangular (trapezoid to be correct ) approx 5mm wide at the outer side. I will post up a pic later as well. Paul
As promised ... the pics The short clamp And how it's used Mark the track center line, drill a pilot hole and install the screw - if gluing the track down the glue would also be spread now Lay the track over the screw Slide the jig under the screw and tighten down Once dry remove the clamp and screw. As for the curved section jig, home about this ... The wider side in the inside radius, the narrow side on the outer radius, for tighter radii I may have to reduce the contact areas further. Paul
A brilliant simple idea brought to completion. You need to copyright this mate!! Maybe go into production!!! Cheer's, Pete.
Actually come up with a simpler idea for the curved clamps 32mm outer diameter, 26mm inner diameter, so that the outer diameter sits touching the inner side of the rail and the 26mm giving clearance of the chairs. Paul
and finally some track being laid I have also used German pins (from the florist section of Hobbycraft) to help secure the track to the foam whilst the glue dries Paul