Ballast

[Anonymous]

What is the best glue for adding ballast to my track? What is the best method for applying it without making a mess?

Shannon

[Anonymous]

What is the best glue for adding ballast to my track? What is the best method for applying it without making a mess?

Shannon

[Anonymous]

Lots of ways, but my preference is to spread the ballast, then wet it with a fine mist of 70% rubbing alcohol in a squeeze handle atomizer sprayed upwards so it drifts down on the ballast without disturbing it like a direct spray will. Then when the ballast is thoroughly wet use an eye dropper to dribble white glue thinned with 25% water onto the ballast down the center and both outsides of the track. The wet ballast soaks up the glue nicely, but glue doesn't end up on the railtops or scenery or anywhere else. The alcohol dries without leaving residue.

[Anonymous]

Lots of ways, but my preference is to spread the ballast, then wet it with a fine mist of 70% rubbing alcohol in a squeeze handle atomizer sprayed upwards so it drifts down on the ballast without disturbing it like a direct spray will. Then when the ballast is thoroughly wet use an eye dropper to dribble white glue thinned with 25% water onto the ballast down the center and both outsides of the track. The wet ballast soaks up the glue nicely, but glue doesn't end up on the railtops or scenery or anywhere else. The alcohol dries without leaving residue.

[Anonymous]

I agree only I use 10% white glue and 90 % of 70% rubbing alcohol mix for glue. Not exact on ratio, I just mix it in an empty glue bottle until it is like cooking oil in viscosity. I think it flows and soaks in better. Alcohol is cheap at WalMart Pharmacy department, less tha $1 a quart. Also watch for back to school pricing on elmers white glue... 5 for a dollar

[Anonymous]

I agree only I use 10% white glue and 90 % of 70% rubbing alcohol mix for glue. Not exact on ratio, I just mix it in an empty glue bottle until it is like cooking oil in viscosity. I think it flows and soaks in better. Alcohol is cheap at WalMart Pharmacy department, less tha $1 a quart. Also watch for back to school pricing on elmers white glue... 5 for a dollar

[Anonymous]

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son. Will the white glue be strong enough so that it doesn't come apart if touched?

[Anonymous]

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son. Will the white glue be strong enough so that it doesn't come apart if touched?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Shanman73

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son.

I'd forget about ballasting in this case.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Shanman73

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son.

I'd forget about ballasting in this case.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Shanman73

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son. Will the white glue be strong enough so that it doesn't come apart if touched?

Why ballast wooden track unless you want to hold the track in place with side embankments?

But to answer your question, anyone who has ever tried to chip that stuff out again after it has dried for a few days can state "Yes!"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Shanman73

This is for a Thomas the Tank Engine wooden set for my son. Will the white glue be strong enough so that it doesn't come apart if touched?

Why ballast wooden track unless you want to hold the track in place with side embankments?

But to answer your question, anyone who has ever tried to chip that stuff out again after it has dried for a few days can state "Yes!"

[Anonymous]

But white glue mix will come up if you wet it down with rubbing alcohol and cover with foil or plastic for awhile. I remodel all the time.

[Anonymous]

But white glue mix will come up if you wet it down with rubbing alcohol and cover with foil or plastic for awhile. I remodel all the time.

[Rabbit0074]

Have you thought of some fine bird gravel for ballast? Cheap when you get it bulk & it is like the real stuff..

I spread my ballast, lightly spray it down with a mixture of water with a drop of dish soap to make it wetter & spread easier.
My glue mixture is 50% water & 50% white glue... apllied with an eye dropper.. works great as the glue mixture will spread to where ever I have previously wetted down the ballast, or scenery material. Holds fantastically.
Cheers
Jim

[Rabbit0074]

Have you thought of some fine bird gravel for ballast? Cheap when you get it bulk & it is like the real stuff..

I spread my ballast, lightly spray it down with a mixture of water with a drop of dish soap to make it wetter & spread easier.
My glue mixture is 50% water & 50% white glue... apllied with an eye dropper.. works great as the glue mixture will spread to where ever I have previously wetted down the ballast, or scenery material. Holds fantastically.
Cheers
Jim

[Anonymous]

I think glue mixes are like politics or religion. And anyone who doesn't use MY mix is ignorant and is going to burn in hades. Bird gravel works fine, and so does playsand, sandblaster sand, dirt, cigar ashes, carbon out of a car pollution can, my wife's meatloaf, sand from the beach, cat litter (clean and used), picture sand from hobby store, Woodland Scenics products, fi***ank rocks smashed with a hammer, you get the picture. My two all time favorites are sanding rocks for the dust and going to the park with a baggie and stealing sand out of childrens sand boxes (free).

[Anonymous]

I think glue mixes are like politics or religion. And anyone who doesn't use MY mix is ignorant and is going to burn in hades. Bird gravel works fine, and so does playsand, sandblaster sand, dirt, cigar ashes, carbon out of a car pollution can, my wife's meatloaf, sand from the beach, cat litter (clean and used), picture sand from hobby store, Woodland Scenics products, fi***ank rocks smashed with a hammer, you get the picture. My two all time favorites are sanding rocks for the dust and going to the park with a baggie and stealing sand out of childrens sand boxes (free).

[Anonymous]

Oops, omitted Mount Saint Helens Volcanoe ash and that a***hat was in that pretty vase on the fireplace mantel.

[Anonymous]

Oops, omitted Mount Saint Helens Volcanoe ash and that a***hat was in that pretty vase on the fireplace mantel.

[der5997]

Word of caution on cat litter (unsued). If it's the clumping kind, it probably will. [;)]
White glue will reconstiute and glued items are removable if soaked in water. The best way i've found for this is a quite damp face cloth laid on the section of track (or whatever needs repositioning) for long enough for the glue to become white again. A spatula type paint scraper helps lift the section. Be sure to scrape off all the old glue, as it will re-set, and leave ridges and bumps. These may not be where you want ridges and bumps.

[der5997]

Word of caution on cat litter (unsued). If it's the clumping kind, it probably will. [;)]
White glue will reconstiute and glued items are removable if soaked in water. The best way i've found for this is a quite damp face cloth laid on the section of track (or whatever needs repositioning) for long enough for the glue to become white again. A spatula type paint scraper helps lift the section. Be sure to scrape off all the old glue, as it will re-set, and leave ridges and bumps. These may not be where you want ridges and bumps.

[Anonymous]

try using dilluited matte medium or other equivlent(Woodland scienics sceinic cement works well) but is more expensive$$$$$

[Anonymous]

try using dilluited matte medium or other equivlent(Woodland scienics sceinic cement works well) but is more expensive$$$$$