Drawing tools that I use

[waltrapp]

I got several emails the last few days after I started posting sketches of my Christmas layout centered around "how?".

Here's some of MY tools of the trade. I don't much go for the automated tools as I can't sit on my patio with beer in hand and dream up layout designs. :) I draw mine on paper.

Here's some of the "tools" that I use:

This is a paper grid of my living room that I draw on. each block represents a 2' x 2' area:


These are my "main" tools. The smallest washer equates to 27" curves. Next size equates to PW 31" curves. largest equates to 42" curves.

The big rectangle equates to 4' x 8' board that I used to position my plateau.

The long skinny rectangle equates to my 10' long ramp.

The white piece is marked off in track length sections.

The string - I have it marked in 1" increments so that I know how long curved tracks are.



This picture shows the various cardboard pieces that I use to represent the various angles that the track can travel coming out of various curves:


Finally, these pieces are the common configurations for the 10' ramp leading up to the plateau area. The ramp is divided into two 5' long sections allowing for a bend in the middle. More recently my "plateau" is 4'x8' instead of 4'x4':


I gotta admit that I was VERY surprised about how many emails that I received. I have NEVER considered my Christmas layout as anything special.

- walt

[wrmcclellan]

Walt,

Nice post. I saw it over on OGR forum also. I think it was nice of you to share how you have adapted some household objects and common materials (e.g cardboard) to make suitable templates for your layout planning.

Regards,
Roy

[overall]

I am an old manual draftsman from way back ( I started my first class in 1973 ). I had a hard time adapting to autocad because I could not see the drawing as a whole. It was like I had my face right down on the paper when I would zoom in on a part of the drawing. I have found the Tinplate Template to be a good tool. It has most track types available today represented. You might want to go to a store that sells surveying tools and supplies an get an electric eraser. It makes erasing easier and cleaner.

Thanks,

George

[waltrapp]

I too have tried PC-based track planning software but I REALLY prefer the paper, pencil, and cardboard templates method.

I don't have to stare at a screen - which I do all day.

I find it more relaxing as I can sit in my recliner and draw away.

Without getting psychological about it, I actually think I'm more creative when using pen and pencil believe it or not.

It's portable.

I sometimes put 3 or 4 in front of me at the same time and grab ideas from each and I can visualize the results before even drawing.

An electrical eraser??? Now that sounds interesting. I never heard of such a thing. For lead pencils?????

- walt

[overall]

Walt ,

It uses a long thin eraser held in a tube that spins when you hit the trigger. It does a good job I think.

George