Masonite Helix Roadbed

[Anonymous]

I am building an O Scale layout and want to install a helix using a two-ply, staggered seam sandwich of 1/8" tempered masonite as roadbed, a la Kalmbach's Benchwork manual. I traced my roadbed on one sheet, clamped six sheets together and got out the jigsaw....but no dice. Even with new blades of every type Home Depot could supply I can't get through the stuff. One sheet is cuttable, maybe two, but there is another problem.

The end of a sheet (or two) of masonite is so flexible and wobbly that the jigsaw just bounces the material up and down with the blade, rather than cutting. I tried a sandwich with 1/2" plywood underneath, but the two materials don't cut trhe same and once again I went nowhere.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jim Talbert

[Leon Silverman]

I would not recommend masonite as a roadbed unless you are content to glue the track to the roadbed. I once tried using it as a subroadbed and found it impossible to drive spikes or nails into it. If you are using it as a subroadbed( with either wood, homosote, cork, vinyl, etc. between track) use the straight edge cookie cutter method which recently appeared in Model Railrod Craftsman. Just be aware that the 30" radius curve he talked about shoud have translated into a 60" diameter circle. Anyway, if you want to cut straight edges, you should be able to purchase a Ryobi Table saw from Lowes for under $100. It may even cost only about $80. Just make sure never to push your work onto the table with your bare hands. Either pull the work piece from the back or use a a pice of scrap wood to push it through.

[Anonymous]

You got the right idea useing 1/8" masonite I saw the article that you mentioned when I was considering a helix and used there idea of doubleing up th 1/8 " masonite.

What i did was to make a patern of a section of the road bed that I was going to use. I then layed out one piece of the radius that I was going to use I made that 24" long by 3 1/4 " wide.This then became my pattern that I used on a large sheet of masonite. I don't remember exactly but i got something like 5 or 6 in each columb times 3 for a full sheet.

I used a band saw to cut each piece. A jig saw will work. I then used a router and a pattern cutting bit and the original pattern piece to make the rest of the parts.

I used 3 1/4" on the track bed to make sure that I had the clearance for the upright standerds and any locomotive overhang on the curve. I was pressed for space (who isn't) so I used 22" for my radius. I model HO and use smaller steam locos all though I can run a pacifc with no trouble

[Anonymous]

Instead of a jig saw, what about using one of the rotary saws (zip saws?) or a cutting blade in a router?

[Anonymous]

I have never used a zip saw so someone else will need to comment on that. I do belive that you can get the job done with a router. Just be prepared to deal with a lot of that brown dust. When I mill my road bed to the fineal deminsion I have a shop vac connected to my router table and there is still a lot of dust that gets into the air and settles on everything. I would recommend that if you try the router have a good dust mask to protect your lungs. I wouldn't recomend those five for a dollar kind.

Joe

[camarokid]

You can still use your jig saw and a whole lot of clamps. Depending on how many you have you will need to clamp as close to the cut line as possible. Clamp all 4 corners very securely and then find a way to weight them down while you cut away. If you have saw horses, clamp the corners to them and the sheets won't flap in the breeze while you mutter to yourself. If all you have is a table, you will need to have some kind of support when sawing off the table edge. It will be a long and boring process of moving all the clamps and repositioning the sheets, but the end result will be worth it. I too, will recommend a good dust mask for all the wonderful brown dust you will have everywhere. You do not want this stuff in your lungs. If you intend to air brush someday , buy yourself a quality half-mask respirator with detachable canisters. Better safe than sorry. Enjoy your helix.
Archie