How to attach the wooden ties to scratchbuilt turnouts?

[roadeater]

For those of you that scratchbuild turnouts, how do you attach your
wooden ties?  I build my N-scale turnouts on my workbench and I'm not
fond of the idea of spiking the ties while installing the turnout on
the layout, I'd rather attach them while still at my workbench.  I've
used the Fast Track jig previously and their Quick Sticks for ties and
attached them with Pliobond, but now I'm building turnouts completely
on my own without the jigs or Quick Sticks.  I've cut a bunch of ties
from 1/32" bass wood, and I guess I could use Pliobond again, but I'm
afraid the glue will get all over the template and permanently bond it
to the turnout.  Is there a better way?

-Tim

[selector]

I would lay the ties on the sticky side of some gun tape or duct tape.  Test and fit as you must.  When everything is peachy, use a toothpick to place a thin film of your preferred adhesive on each tie and then press the turnout onto them.

You could use a two part epoxy...it takes many long minutes to set up, so you needn't rush.  You could use Gorilla Glue, which is increasingly earning my admiration...especially when it became my own method of choice once it bailed me out of precisely the same pickle you're in...except that I used HO turnout jigs and had no Pliobond.  Once the turnout is rock hard, peel off the tape, and you are ready for spray weathering.

[Texas Zepher]

For those of you that scratchbuild turnouts, how do you attach your
wooden ties?

I glue them straight to the roadbed.  Put the ties into a jig.  Put a piece of masking tape over the top and lift them out of the jig.  Put the glue on the roadbed and holding the tape lay the ties into place.  Let dry and remove the tape.

I build my N-scale turnouts on my workbench and I'm not
fond of the idea of spiking the ties while installing the turnout on
the layout,

???  So you are basically making sectional track.   The spikes are supposed to hold the track to the layout.

[IRONROOSTER]

You could put a sheet of Saran Wrap (or other plastic) over the template.  Alternatively, glue the template to the ties and then glue the bottom of the template to the roadbed.

Enjoy

Paul 

[bogp40]

For those of you that scratchbuild turnouts, how do you attach your
wooden ties?

I glue them straight to the roadbed.  Put the ties into a jig.  Put a piece of masking tape over the top and lift them out of the jig.  Put the glue on the roadbed and holding the tape lay the ties into place.  Let dry and remove the tape.

I build my N-scale turnouts on my workbench and I'm not
fond of the idea of spiking the ties while installing the turnout on
the layout,

???  So you are basically making sectional track.   The spikes are supposed to hold the track to the layout.

Why not lay ties as mentioned, sand, stain then for building the turnout at the workbench, just tempararily solder to pc board ties in the jig. Once satisfied unsolder and spike to the ties. Making your own ties is rather timeconsuming, the standard and sw ties are available in bulk bags.

[roadeater]

I glue them straight to the roadbed.  Put the ties into a jig.  Put a piece of masking tape over the top and lift them out of the jig.  Put the glue on the roadbed and holding the tape lay the ties into place.  Let dry and remove the tape.

That might be worth a try, thanks!

 

???  So you are basically making sectional track.   The spikes are supposed to hold the track to the layout.

My layout is already built, I'm replacing a few cantankerous commercial turnouts.  I'm also gaining practice for building my next layout. I also know myself too well, driving tiny little spikes into tiny little ties "holding" tiny little rails would drive me nuts!

 

You could put a sheet of Saran Wrap (or other plastic) over the template.  Alternatively, glue the template to the ties and then glue the bottom of the template to the roadbed.

 

I thought about trying just leaving the template glued to the ties, I guess once painted and ballasted it wouldn't be visible.  I might give that a try too.

Thanks for all the ideas!

-Tim