Episode 28 Loco Servicing Cradle

Discussion in 'The Collection' started by gormo, Jul 15, 2016.

  1. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Folks,

    Yes here we go into creating a loco servicing cradle.

    In other words, a block of foam rubber with a recess in it to safely hold a loco that is being serviced.

    As I state in the video, this is not the most elegant build, however as the item is a tool, I was more concerned that it would function as desired rather than look good.

    This type of contraption is already commercially available, as you all well know, however by cutting out your own version, you have a good deal of control over the size and shape of the thing and thereby the satisfaction of creating a bespoke version of the commercial product.

    So before you throw out that old lounge suite, make sure you remove the foam rubber from the cushions.......it has many and varied uses on the model railway.

    Enjoy the video.

    Loco Servicing Cradle direct link to YouTube



    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Nicely done Gormo.

    My mrs ain't gonna be happy when she see's her three piece suite when she gets in tonight. It's now a four piece.:avatar:

    Great practical tool.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  3. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I've found that the best tool for cutting foam or polystyrene sheet/block, is a 'Moulinex' electric carving knife! Yes, I know, it's very 70's, mine in fact came from my late Father, probably one of those gadgets you didn't know you needed, but boy does it make short work of foam, and you end up with a nice clean edge. It's the sort of thing I'd imagine would turn up very cheaply at car boot sales, so worth looking out for if you've lots of foam or polystyrene to cut.
    My servicing cradle is made from 3 sides of timber for strength, with a double layer of lining which was once part of a camping sleep mat, so moderately dense foam for a firm grip.
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  4. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    ....and my foam cutting tool of choice! I'd bet there's plenty of these gadgets which haven't seen daylight for years, still lurking in kitchen cupboards across the land.:avatar:
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  5. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Good video once again Gormo.

    I trust that you kept all the little off cuts of foam as they make great scenic scatter. If you cut them up small enough (1/2" pieces) and then throw them into one of those cheap coffee grinders, electric chopper things : ( http://www.kmart.com.au/product/coffee-grinder/128170 ), out comes some very nice sized foam particles ready for colouring.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  6. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    G`day Folks,

    See ....I knew somebody would come along with a wizz bang whopper dopper way of cutting foam.

    Good on you Keith......budding foam cutters will appreciate that tip, however you don`t need to go to car boot sales to find and electric knife. One of our major retailers here in Oz sells `em brand new for not much dosh!!!!

    http://www.kmart.com.au/product/electric-knife/764987

    Probably the same situation there in the old country.?????

    Toto.....your living dangerously old mate!!! ......you shouldn`t mess with the missus favourite sofa chairs. I`d be sleeping with one eye open if I was you or find a different source of foam rubber.:scratchchin:

    Gary......yes fortunately I have enough foam to turn GCJ into a forest with a railway running through it. I like your tip about the coffee grinder and as a matter of fact I like it so much I`m going out tomorrow to get one!!!.......as you know I`ve used the old kitchen grater in the past, which works pretty well, but takes a bit more elbow grease than the grinder would.

    Ah!!!!.....question Gary????......how does the grinder go if you`ve already impregnated the foam with paint and let it dry out of course.?????......would it struggle in that situation???

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  7. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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  8. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Well I got my coffee grinder.

    Will have to put it to work soon.

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  9. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Coffee grinders, electric knives. I thought this was modelling not catering. :avatar:
     
  10. cmcan

    cmcan Full Member

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    Toto

    What are you going sleep on now?

    :face palm

    If you have cut up the sofa hide any sharp objects tools etc.

    When i here the moulinex I automatically think Vcar of Dibley

    Cameron
     
  11. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Always good to find alternative uses for household items Toto, (think....tea strainers/fly swatters for static grass applicators etc). Anyway, thinking of your favourite tool, the hammer, I was always told that it's for putting screws in, you only need a screwdriver to get them out again!!!:avatar:

    Keith.
     
  12. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Ah yes .....the many and varied uses of our trusty kitchen appliances.
    The railway modeller is a creative and inventive creature who will resort to the use of just about any method to get the result he wants on his model railway.
    I mean, just amongst our elite group of modellers here on P1MRC, we have seen the lads come up with all sorts of whacky uses for the trusty old kitchen implement.......with the exception of one of our group who has a fetish for hammers.
    I must admit though, hammers come in many sizes and shapes and they can sometimes be used outside of their intended purpose to good effect. The added bonus of course is, that when one becomes adept with the hammer, ones arsenal of tools is considerably smaller and therefore takes up less space. At the end of the day, I can see some logic to this rather trimmed down kit of railway modelling tools.
    So there you are me boys !!!!!......there are no rules regarding tools.....use whatever works to get the job done but don`t disclose all of your secrets........keep a little bit of mystery going as well.!!!!
    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     

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