QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter [^] [tup] Great idea. The only problem I see is with Home Depot. If it's sold out they wont reorder any more. That's the way of big box stores. They buy a mass quantity and if it doesn't sell fast enough, they drop the product. We need to find out where Home Depot buys these channels or who makes them. Maybe we can find other suppliers or buy direct from the manufacturer.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
QUOTE: Originally posted by mondotrains ...my backdrop has been in place for over 3 years and it is still standing very rigid....I checked to see if there is any leaning this morning and there isn't. It may be because it is only 15" high. The "track" in the Tuff-Bilt U-Molding is 1" deep so it is grabbing 1/15th of my Masonite. Maybe that is why I haven't had any problems. I also painted both sides of the Masonite with a wood sealer paint and then painted it blue. So, it probably hasn't absorbed any moisture. In addition, my layout is in a climate controlled family room, not a damp basement.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton I hate to rain on your parade, but..... Have you considered what will happen as the masonite starts to "relax" in the channel? With the center of gravity well above the restraining structure (the channel), significant bending stresses are generated in the masonite at the channel, as the channel restrains the masonite from falling over. Unfortunately, masonite does not have a good internal structure for handling long-term stresses and dissipating the strain energy associated with them. Masonite will slowly release this strain energy as it absorbs water from the atmosphere, meaning the panel will tend to start to deform at the high-stress areas. It will start to lean, and finally collapse. In humid conditions will happen much faster than in dry conditions. But if you put a curve into the backdrop, or tack the top in place at one or two places, suddenly the bending stresses and the strain energy at the channel are reduced or eliminated, and the masonite should be fine for a much longer time.
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton ....Masonite will slowly release this strain energy as it absorbs water from the atmosphere, meaning the panel will tend to start to deform at the high-stress areas.....
QUOTE: Originally posted by tcf511 Thanks very much for sharing this. I'm building a layout entirely out of modules and this will be perfect for me. Clamping backdrops to modules at shows is barely acceptable but this would make them much easier to work with especially the corner modules. Thanks again!
Tim Fahey
Musconetcong Branch of the Lehigh Valley RR
QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter [^] [tup] Great idea. The only method I saw that was similar to yours was at a NMRA Division 6 meeting. The track was for aluminum siding with roll aluminum for the backdrop material. It required a channel at the top and bottom. But I think your discovery trumps that. Less cost, no top rail, easy to remove backdrop if needed and no screw holes to fill. But the killer application is a divider for island and peninsula layouts. You should do an experiment to determine the maximum height. The only problem I see is with Home Depot. If it's sold out they wont reorder any more. That's the way of big box stores. They buy a mass quantity and if it doesn't sell fast enough, they drop the product. We need to find out where Home Depot buys these channels or who makes them. Maybe we can find other suppliers or buy direct from the manufacturer.
QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate They ought to do it as an MR illustrated back page idea. I'm surprised they missed that! If it's any consolation, I've also had article ideas rejected by MR, and I've had trackside photos rejected by MR, so you're not alone. You win some, and you lose some. Just don't quit submitting things for publication. [swg]
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
QUOTE: Originally posted by mondotrains [Yes, MR does pay a nominal amount for articles....something like $250.00 per page.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Budliner Thanks Mondo thats a great idea I have a home depot here in the city and will check that out thanks do you get paid if they use your idea in the mag? K
QUOTE: It is quite innovative, and has nothing to do with anything that has been published, ever. The support method is the key, and could be covered in a single page of text and a couple photos. This isn't about painting backdrops.
Jim Murray The San Juan Southern RR