Control Panel

[Chessie]

Does anyone know if Model Railroader has published an article about how to design and paint a simple track plan on a masonite topped control panel? 

MY THANKS TO ALL WHO REPLIED.  I JUST NEEDED A QUICK REVIEW AND YOU'VE GIVEN ME GREAT IDEAS TO WORK WITH. - Chessie 

 

[dehusman]

Many times, often in conjunction with an article on a project layout.

Draw the diagram on the masonite. 

Drill the holes for the switches, lights, controls.

Paint the control panel the color you wan the track diagram.

Take narrow tape (Chartpack tape available at drafting and art supply stores or put masking tape on a piece of glas and cut it with a sharp blade and a straight edge) and use it to "draw" the track diagram.  Burnish it down well.

Spray the control panel color over the whole thing.

Remove the tape.

Optional coat with clear varnish or coating for protection.

Install the switches, lights and controls.

Dave H.

[Stevert]

I'm sure they have, although I don't have a specific reference at hand.  Here's the basic steps:

1) Paint the masonite the color(s) you want the track lines to be.

2) Use chart tape to lay out those track lines.

3) Paint over that with your background color.

4) Remove the chart tape to expose your track lines.

 

HTH,
Steve

[CascadeBob]

Dave and Steve have it correct.  I'd like to offer one additional suggestion that hopefully will assure that you get good sharp lines.  After you've applied the tape and burnished it down well, over-spray the tape with the same color that you used first for the lines, eg. white.  This will seal the edges of the tape and if there were any places where paint got under the tape the paint color would be the same as the line color.  This way the background color that you spray over the tape will not bleed under the edge of the tape.

Good luck,

Bob

[MisterBeasley]

I used a piece of white plastic-coated masonite, the stuff that's sold for bath and shower enclosures.  Yes, I had to buy a 4x8 foot sheet, but it was only like 8 bucks.  For the track lines, I use automotive pinstriping tape.

This may not come out as professional-looking as the spray painting process, but it is more flexible if your track plan changes.  I can easily add and remove "tracks" from my panel by removing and replacing the tape lines.

[jbinkley60]

Does anyone know if Model Railroader has published an article about how to design and paint a simple track plan on a masonite topped control panel? 

I use 8.5" x 11" Avery label paper, print the design on the label and then peel/stick it to a 1/8" of masonite.  Here's a URL on how I build control panels.  You may get a few ideas.

http://www.thebinks.com/trains/control_panels.html

 

 

 

[tomikawaTT]

I used a piece of white plastic-coated masonite, the stuff that's sold for bath and shower enclosures.  Yes, I had to buy a 4x8 foot sheet, but it was only like 8 bucks.  For the track lines, I use automotive pinstriping tape.

This may not come out as professional-looking as the spray painting process, but it is more flexible if your track plan changes.  I can easily add and remove "tracks" from my panel by removing and replacing the tape lines.

I have done just about the same thing, except that I use Dymo tape for the track lines and emboss the block designators before applying it.  I also use multiple colors to make it easier for the unfamiliar operator to figure out where the block boundaries are.  My panels are sheets of really thick yellow plastic, salvaged from some old store displays that a former employer had consigned to the dumpster.

Professional-looking?  Who cares.  User-friendly?  Priceless.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[donhalshanks]

As an alternative, I've had great success with a method from Model Railroader and also discussed in this forum.  Making the diagram on the computer and ink jet printer, then sandwiching it between two sheets of plexiglass screwed together with washers at the corners.  First, put the diagram between the two pieces of plexigless and put masking tape on the edges.  Starting with a small drill bit and then gradually increasing the size of the bits (so as not to crack the plexigrass), drill the holes for the corner srews, switches and LED's.  Remove the masking tape and clear and wipe off any shavings.  Remake the sandwich, screwing the corners together.  Mount the switches and LED's and wire them on the back side.  Mount the panel as you wish.... on a wood bracket, or angle irons or in a hole in the fascia.   

Result is it looks very professional, is easy to do, and quite fast.

Hal 

[Stevert]

As an alternative, I've had great success with a method from Model Railroader and also discussed in this forum.  Making the diagram on the computer and ink jet printer, then sandwiching it between two sheets of plexiglass screwed together with washers at the corners. 

Hal 

  I didn't mention it, because the OP seemed to be looking for something simpler, but I've done something similar to this.

  I went the computer/inkjet route using banner paper, but instead of sandwiching it I used spray adhesive to apply it to a single sheet of plexiglass.  A few coats of clear lacquer spray gave a nice finish and protected the paper from smudges.

Steve

[gandydancer19]

I have done mine slightly different, tape wise. I paint the panel the color I want it to be, then make the track lines using trim tape or striping tape for decorating model airplanes. Then over spray it with clear. This tape is similar to chart tape except it is thinner. It also comes in different widths and colors.  It sticks better to glossy surfaces.