While there are a number of items on the market to help with spreading ballast many still just use a spoon or small cup to get it onto the track. Is that because you never tried a spreader or that you used one and didn't like the results?
Rick
Hi,
I do have the "tube type" ballast dispenser and gave it more than a fair chance when ballasting on my last layout. It worked ok with fine HO or N but jammed up on anything bigger. There is obviously a knack to using it, and I got tired trying to get the hang of it.
So the majority of the layout was done with cheap paper cups, a plastic spoon, and a 1 inch wide new paint brush (cheapie). With a bit of practice, I (IMO) got pretty good at it and would use this method again without question.
That said, others may find the various "ballast spreaders" to be just what they need, and can get them working "as advertised". I just could not do that.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
DSC02142 by wp8thsub, on Flickr
DSC02142
I've found that ballasting tools save me no time or effort compared to using a spoon. In fact, they create more work for me because they can only spread ballast to so many places it's needed, so I'd need to use a spoon for much of the work anyway.
This is the only ballast tool I care to use. Accept no substitutes.
Rob Spangler
Anything special about a plastic spoon vs a metal one?
wp8thsubThis is the only ballast tool I care to use
.
The rest look like gimics or gadgets.
As far as plastic vs metal spoon? Your just making a funny, right?
Unless you make a habit of ballasting with the track power on.
Mike.
My You Tube
hbgatsf While there are a number of items on the market to help with spreading ballast many still just use a spoon or small cup to get it onto the track.
While there are a number of items on the market to help with spreading ballast many still just use a spoon or small cup to get it onto the track.
hbgatsf Is that because you never tried a spreader or that you used one and didn't like the results?
Is that because you never tried a spreader or that you used one and didn't like the results?
Rich
Alton Junction
mbinsewi As far as plastic vs metal spoon? Your just making a funny, right?
Nope. We had hundreds of plastic spoons around the house. I went looking for one and couldn't find any. When I asked my wife where they were she told me that she had thrown them out because we didn't entertain the way we used to.
I guess I didn't react to that well because the next time she was in Walmart she bought a three pack of metal ones. The next time I go to a fast food place I will get plastic.
hbgatsf We had hundreds of plastic spoons around the house. I went looking for one and couldn't find any. When I asked my wife where they were she told me that she had thrown them out because we didn't entertain the way we used to. I guess I didn't react to that well because the next time she was in Walmart she bought a three pack of metal ones. The next time I go to a fast food place I will get plastic.
We had hundreds of plastic spoons around the house. I went looking for one and couldn't find any. When I asked my wife where they were she told me that she had thrown them out because we didn't entertain the way we used to.
While not perfect I have a pair of ballast spreaders that work pretty good.I bought them from my LHS about 12 years ago. They are pretty good for spreading the ballast evenly but it requires a lot of touchup. And Like I say pretty good I would still use them today, a lot easier than using a spoon at least for me they are.
I might add I ues real rock from Arizona Rock and Mineral for my ballast, that might have an impact on it working pretty good. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
mbinsewiAs far as plastic vs metal spoon? Your just making a funny, right?
It must be plastic. Preferably black plastic. Because reasons.
I use a good quality clear plastic spoon.
It's a lot more robust than the flimsy ones you get a fast food places. It's clear because that's just what we had in the house.
A spoon and a 1" foam brush work great, so I've never investigated a ballast spreader.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Pruitt I use a good quality clear plastic spoon. It's a lot more robust than the flimsy ones you get a fast food places. It's clear because that's just what we had in the house. A spoon and a 1" foam brush work great, so I've never investigated a ballast spreader.
Same here. Used a cup st times. Trimmed the foam brush so it was the width between the tails.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Same here. Used a cup at times. Trimmed the foam brush so it was the width between the tails.
hbgatsfAnything special about a plastic spoon vs a metal one?
I prefer a metal one tablespoon measuring spoon with square sides. This gives excellent control.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
hbgatsfIs that because you never tried a spreader or that you used one and didn't like the results?
Why would anyone spend money on tools with limited use, when simple stuff that most modellers have on hand will do the job just as well or even better.
Here's my ballast-spreading tool kit...
To use this complicated high-tech equipment, gently grasp the paper cup, then use it to scoop-up some ballast material - the stuff shown is screened limestone "fines", but the cup will also work with other real rock products, and also Woodland Scenics ballast, made using crushed walnut shells.
Next, carry the cup to the site where ballast is required, then begin to dump the contents onto the track, while moving the cup along so as to not drop too much in one spot. For really tight locales, you can squeeze the cup to get more precise application.You can normally dump the cup's contents mostly between the rails, but if the track is atop an embankment, you may need to dump more outside the rails, too.
The next step is to spread the ballast, using the 1/2" brush. For the material between the rails, keep the brush as close as possible to parallel with the track, dragging any excess material along the track until the tie-tops are fully exposed. Repeat the process on both edges outside the rails, adding more ballast where needed, and grooming it with the brush.You can do the ballasting in whatever lengths suit your available time or interest, but before you get to the stage where you pre-wet the ballast with "wet" water, in preparation for adding the diluted white glue, there's one more crucial step.....
....and it is to lightly grasp the ferrule of the brush with the fingers of one hand, laying the handle across the rails, then, while moving along not too quickly, use the fingers of your free hand to rapidly tap the brush handle. As you do this, you'll notice that any stray particles of ballast atop the ties will "magically" bounce off the ties and into place between the ties.
This method works for track on roadbed...
...and track directly on plywood...
...and track where it looks like you might run out of ballast before the embankment is properly covered...
Don't be intimidated by this high tech approach...give it a try and save your dough.
Wayne
doctorwayne Why would anyone spend money on tools with limited use, when simple stuff that most modellers have on hand will do the job just as well or even better. Here's my ballast-spreading tool kit... To use this complicated high-tech equipment, gently grasp the paper cup, then use it to scoop-up some ballast material - the stuff shown is screened limestone "fines", but the cup will also work with other real rock products, and also Woodland Scenics ballast, made using crushed walnut shells. Next, carry the cup to the site where ballast is required, then begin to dump the contents onto the track, while moving the cup along so as to not drop too much in one spot. For really tight locales, you can squeeze the cup to get more precise application.You can normally dump the cup's contents mostly between the rails, but if the track is atop an embankment, you may need to dump more outside the rails, too. The next step is to spread the ballast, using the 1/2" brush. For the material between the rails, keep the brush as close as possible to parallel with the track, dragging any excess material along the track until the tie-tops are fully exposed. Repeat the process on both edges outside the rails, adding more ballast where needed, and grooming it with the brush.You can do the ballasting in whatever lengths suit your available time or interest, but before you get to the stage where you pre-wet the ballast with "wet" water, in preparation for adding the diluted white glue, there's one more crucial step..... ....and it is to lightly grasp the ferrule of the brush with the fingers of one hand, laying the handle across the rails, then, while moving along not too quickly, use the fingers of your free hand to rapidly tap the brush handle. As you do this, you'll notice that any stray particles of ballast atop the ties will "magically" bounce off the ties and into place between the ties. This method work on track on roadbed... ...and track directly on plywood... ...and track where it looks like you might run out of ballast before the embankment is properly covered... Don't be intimidated by this high tech approach...give it a try and save your dough. Wayne
This method work on track on roadbed...
One question.
Which size paper cup would you recommend?
I agree my layout was ballasted a few years ago with the tools you specify. If and when I build another layout I will use the same tools.
Joe Staten Island West
richhotrainOne question. Which size paper cup would you recommend? Rich
Use the 4 ounce cups. Whatever you do, don't use a 4¼ ounce cup! I made that mistake, and it was days fixing the mess.
York1 John
York1 richhotrain One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend? Rich Use the 4 ounce cups. Whatever you do, don't use a 4¼ ounce cup! I made that mistake, and it was days fixing the mess.
richhotrain One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend? Rich
Why does the difference matter so greatly?
I used a sturdy plastic spoon also and 1" brush on the 1st layout and plan to do likewise on the current one. Glad I didn't start this effort yet. I need to first redo track and add elevation.
richhotrainWane, thank you for your invaluable tutorial. One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend?
Sorry, Rick, but I was unaware that there were other sizes.
Warren
doctorwayne richhotrain Wane, thank you for your invaluable tutorial. One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend? Sorry, Rick, but I was unaware that there were other sizes. Warren
richhotrain Wane, thank you for your invaluable tutorial. One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend?
This is a great example on how helpful these forums are. Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz.
Thanks to Ron and Wilton for the great tutorial!
Lesson learned!
mbinsewiThis is a great example on how helpful these forums are. Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz.
This is also useful for those who model using the metric system (and actually HO scale ballast has to be measured in metric because it's 3.5mm or whatever to the foot, so the 4oz is technically off by a critical conversion percentage). I confess that this is all new to me so I'll appreciate someone giving the correct SI size and unit name for ballast volume.
I was considering my next layout might be N scale, but not now. There is no way I could find the correct size ballast cup.
peahrens mbinsewi This is a great example on how helpful these forums are. Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz. I was considering my next layout might be N scale, but not now. There is no way I could find the correct size ballast cup.
mbinsewi This is a great example on how helpful these forums are. Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz.
peahrensThere is no way I could find the correct size ballast cup.
richhotrain doctorwayne richhotrain Wane, thank you for your invaluable tutorial. One question. Which size paper cup would you recommend? Sorry, Rick, but I was unaware that there were other sizes. Warren Thanks, Waylon
Thanks, Waylon
Always happy to be of assistance, Ricardo.
Wesley
The wit in this thread is just amazing!
Don't anybody quit your day jobs.
PruittThe wit in this thread is just amazing! Don't anybody quit your day jobs.
My wife doesn't think I'm funny, either.