Running feeder and bus wires along edge of layout

[woodman]

I remember seeing  in a past model railroder magazine someone who ran his feeder and bus wires in a opening he cut out in the 2" foam board along the edge of his layout before he covered it with the fascia board. I tried using a knife, but it is a messy and time consuming job. I recently had surgery on one of my legs and I am unable to get under my layout. Is there a trick to cutting the foam board in this situation. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

[cacole]

You could try a Weller soldering gun tip.  That's what I use to burn a notch into styrorfoam to bury wire.  Just beware that if you have the white beaded foam it will give off some pretty noxious fumes, so good ventilation should be provided.

 

[dknelson]

The Tippi hot wire foam cutter has a selection of tips some of which should be perfect for your idea.  Perhaps you have seen them at train shows:

http://www.sceneryexpress.com/TIPPI-HOT-WIRE-FOAM-CUTTER/productinfo/PC4774/

The advice about the fumes should be heeded.  Even with decent ventilation the fumes are hazardous -- quite apart from health hazards, they tend to get strongly adverse comments from others who live in the same house as the smell tends to spread and permeate the home. 

Dave Nelson

 

[cowman]

Regardless of what type of foam you are trying to cut have excellent ventlation.  The fumes are nasty.

Another possibility for running your wires would ge to get some conduit clips.  You can get them that have two screw holes, which would mean pulling each wire through the loops.  There are also single screw ones that you could slip the wires into.  In order to keep the wires in place, once you are done the majority  of your wiring, would be to use a wire tie around the bundle of wires and the clip.  Clips are available in plastic and metal.  I use the plastic ones.  You can put them where the cross members of your frame meet the front to be able to screw in the two screw type.  Once the clips are in place, just have your facia hang down enough below the layout to hide them.  You should be able to add more wires, if necessary without removing the facia, like you have to do with a trench in the foam.

Good luck,

Richard 

[Phoebe Vet]

I run my wires under the layout along the front edge, and make all my connections on hinged boards that swing down at the front edge when I need to work on the electronics.

 

[superbe]

If I couldn't get under the layout I'd try the following. First lay the bus along the top edge of the foam. Then drop extra long feeder wires and use something such as a straightened metal coat hanger to pull them to the edge of the layout, cut them to proper length and solder to the bus. When ready for the facia make it a little bit higher than the bus and finish it off by covering the bus with ground cover.

Just My     Worth

Bob

[rrebell]

If you use Woodland Scenics hot wire, you do not have to worry about the fumes (it dosn't get hot enought to releise the toxic gases), the only problem is you will have to jerry-rig a loop to dig into the foam (which I have done but for other reasons).

[gregc]

woodman

I remember seeing  in a past model railroder magazine someone who ran his feeder and bus wires in a opening he cut out in the 2" foam board along the edge of his layout before he covered it with the fascia board.

Chapter 6: Lightweight Benchwork

but i also recall the Lion posting a tip on locating layout bus wiring behind the fascia board for convenient access.

found it in March 2014 Model Railroader pg 24, Hide your wiring right up front.

[Phoebe Vet]

These people make a complete line of items for surface cable management.  You could even mount it on the outside of the facia.

 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_68996-170-NMW1_0__?productId=3129263&Ntt=wiremold&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dwiremold&facetInfo=

 

Edited.  I should check auto correct activity before posting.

 

[woodman]

I want to thank everyone for your replies to my question, I have decided to cut a 1" groove in the foamboard on the edge of the layout. I have approx. 95' of edging to cut the groove in, I have done about 20' so far and it is going well, I just take my time and don't let myself get frustrated. Once again, thank you all.

 

[bogp40]

woodman

I want to thank everyone for your replies to my question, I have decided to cut a 1" groove in the foamboard on the edge of the layout. I have approx. 95' of edging to cut the groove in, I have done about 20' so far and it is going well, I just take my time and don't let myself get frustrated. Once again, thank you all.

 

 

If that 1" wiring chase isn't enough, and you don't have any finished scenery, you could easily block out the facia for wider chase.

[woodman]

I thought of doing that, but it would leave me with a 1" gap where the fascia meets the top of the scenery, leaving me more work filling it in with something.