Ballasting Jigs: how well do they work?

[Fergmiester]

I've seen these tubes advertised in MR before. They look like a round tube with slots for rails and are used for laying ballast. How well do they work?

Reason I ask is that I find the chore of laying ballast time consuming and tedious. Is this normal?

Regards Fergie

[orsonroy]

Ballasting has got to be one of the worst jobs in model railroading. Personally, I hate it, because of the fussiness required around switches. I haven't found that it really takes a lot of time to do, however.

I've never bothered with any of the ballast applicators. It's faster and easier for me to just add some ballast to a WS shaker container lid, carefully shake some onto the tracks, brush it into final shape, add a mist of 70% isopropyl alcohol, and add diluted white glue (50% glue, 49% water, 1% alcohol). Since I'm modeling the 1950s, I use masking tape at the bottom of the ballast profile to ensure I get a razor-sharp ballast line.

[dknelson]

I have used one and it is a bit tricky. You have to work uup to just the right combination of forward movement and how the holes in the top are aligned (sort of like a salt shaker). Having said that, the time I used mine I was trying a technique John Allen had advocated, which was mixing ballast with powdered glue and then wetting the entire mix, rather than dripping diluted wet glue on ballast. I cannot say the technique worked perfectly for me but I am prepared to give it another try and I do not blame problems on the tube-thingie (which you could probably make for yourself using a vitamen bottle)
Dave Nelson

[Eriediamond]

Not worth a hoot is mildly putting it. Ray is right on in his reply amd his signature. The ole Erie may be gone but still still lives at my house[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Fergmiester]

OK it's not just me. I was hoping for an easy 1-2-3 approach but will continue with a "stiff brush as wide as the rails" approach. I'm just frustrated right now becuase until the ballast is laid I can't really do much more. I figure I have 2 weeks worth.

[Anonymous]

You could try attaching the brush onto the cow catcher and drive the train over it. [:D] This way you could do the track and run your train at the same time!! [:-^]

[Fergmiester]

I'm actually thinking about this but putting a row or two of brushues under a MoW car. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I use Micro-Marks version and I am very pleased with the results.

[Dough]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

I'm actually thinking about this but putting a row or two of brushues under a MoW car. Any thoughts?

Well if its spreading that you are worried about then here:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/247-7022
I don't think that you will need the typical track alighnment buggy or switch compactors as the Knox Kershaw "hand from the sky" should work fine.

For portotypical pictuers: http://www.knoxkershaw.com/kbr850.htm

Now if you are still concerned about spreading well then might I sugget:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-38707

Caution: Some modifications may be needed for your particular application.

HTH[:D][;)]

[Fergmiester]

Oh well I think I'll stick to card stock and a brush

[Anonymous]

I bought one of those spreaders and wish now that I had spent the money on a couple beers to help me put down the balast by hand. Beer goes down smoothly the spreader jams. [:D]

Fergie, I'll trade ya my spreader for a couple beers.

[dknelson]

Heh heh are you trading a used spreader for a "used" beer? Be careful what you wish for ....
Dave Nelson

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake

I bought one of those spreaders and wish now that I had spent the money on a couple beers to help me put down the balast by hand. Beer goes down smoothly the spreader jams. [:D]

Fergie, I'll trade ya my spreader for a couple beers.

How would I ever get it over the border?[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Never been to Dartmouth... You pay the airfare, I'll hand deliver the spreader and we can enjoy the beers together while we talk trains. [(-D]