Ballasting "tube"... Input?

[selector]

I can be so bold, I recall that Randy Rinker also turned a thumbs-down on this idea, having tried it.

I used an aluminum pie-plate and had good results. The problem is that, regardless of what you use, you still have to groom it with a small brush. So, save the dough for another tanker car, and have She pick up a blueberry pie for supper tonight.

In case you are wondering, I placed a half-cup of sand/ballast in the plate, lowered one edge over the track ties, ouboard of the rails, and gently sawed back and forth releasing a cascade at the rate that suited me. Worked very well.

[Anonymous]

I've had good luck with a turkey baster. Of course, you still have to brush it around, but it works good for me.

[cacole]

In a word, "worthless" best described the ballasting tool. I have far better luck with a small spoon and brush.

[KenMattern]

I saw it and decided to make my own. The one I made probably works as well as the commerical one discussed here. I threw it away and switched to a plastic spoon.

KJ

[loathar]

I don't know about waisting the money on it. I bought a couple differenet diamemter PVC couplers.Took a file and filed the rail grooves in one end of each tube. Don't go too deep or it will hang up on the spikes in the track. I used 2" and 1.5" couplers. The 2" put down too much ballast, but the 1.5" worked "OK". It's kind of a help but I'd be bummed if I'd paid $7.50 for it. You still have to do a lot of brush work.[2c]

[rolleiman]

Make that 5 against wasting your money.. A plastic spoon from any fast food joint and a cheap 38 cent paint brush will work much better.

Jeff

[GAPPLEG]

[#ditto] I have one too, don't use it ,as it just doesn't work that well. hand ballasting looks better.

[NevinW]

I have it and have been disappointed in it. Theoretically is should work well but it doesn't. It clogs easily and snags on the track. Don't bother. - Nevin

[simon1966]

It is quite good at putting the right amount of ballast between the rails, but does not put enough on the outside of the rails. I find myself using it as a pourer. It is far from the perfect solution.

[tangerine-jack]

Don't waste your time with this gadget. Ballasting should be done with the same care and attention as track laying, a gizmo like this only gets the ballast down, then you still have to push it around with a small brush and work it into position. It won't save you any time or effort. At least that is my experience, maybe somebody else knows a better way of doing it.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone used the ballasting tool sold by Micromark (and probably others)... It's basically just a tube with slots for the rails, you fill it with ballast and slide it along. Seems far easier than the old methods (spoon, folded stiff paper, etc.)... IF it works...