What the best (removable) way to do this? Adhesive is out – I’d like to be able to change my layout if desired. Are small Phillips head screws adequate? The existing holes are almost certainly too small. I assume they’re intended to be pilot holes?
Thanks.
You need #4 wood screws 1 inchI would recommend covering the plywood with a sound barrier (homasote, or 1 inch foam board). Secure the sound barrier to the plywood with an adheasive, then secure the FasTrack to the sound barrier. You will reduce the sound level from the hollow core FasTrack considerably.
The last several issues of CTT, the dedicated (yes, I'm sucking up!) staff has been building the Cascade & Timber Trail Ry. The first article of the series they put down the Fastrack. They had a sound deadening idea that seemed reasonable.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
You can use caulk like they are using in the CTT layout on top of a foam top with track bed material under the track pieces. Really, you don't have to secure it at all. The track stays in place for the most part. If you wanted to, you could use a few pieces of two sided foam tape under the track. As for the screws, I got some at McMasters that are #4, 2.25 inches. After I get the wiring done, the screws are coming out and caulk will be placed and scenicked.
dennis
TCA#09-63805
Balls of heat melt glue every 2" along the edge of the roadbed works too. It's transparent and peels off easily should you decide to change something. If you let a little ooze under the roadbed, it helps to deaden sound but the foam bed suggestions are that much quieter. Heat melt glue works on foam too as long as you use the craft shop variety.
Unless you plan to turn your layout vertical, you don't need to secure it to the plywood at all. FasTrack stays together nicely. My permanent layout uses FasTrack and none of it is secured to the table top.
Earl
If you do choose to use screws to secure the track, using one every three or four sections should do a good job. The FastTrack does stay put pretty well on its own.
Leaving the screws just a bit loose will help prevent track noise being transmitted to the table, keeping things a little quieter.
Sill foam seal is the perfect width to put under Fastrack. Menards and Lowes both sell it. One is white/grey in color, other is blue. I forgot which place sells which color. A roll of it is very cheap. I have it under all my Fastrack on my layout. With this foam under the track you will need longer screws if you screw it down.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
My 5x8 layout has a surface of tight-pile carpet. The FasTrack just sits on it, and has'nt moved a bit in 4 years. For a hard surface like plain plywood, small squares of thin foam under each joint will help keep it from sliding if bumped. Glue or screws are really not needed, IMO.
I use my dremel ... with a chuck installed on it that makes it variable for sizes of bits and etc. I then use either a micro or tiny drill bit I got from the local hardware store or you can use a very small finishing nail with the head cut off like a bit and drill the wood through the pilot holes in the fast track . Get the nails where they sell the brass small decorative hinges and latches . They go in with just a bit of resistance and can be pulled back out extremely easy and NO GOO . You can push in and pull the small brass nails out when needed and no mess .
No goo, quick change out, and no stripping the goo off the track if it shows. That sounds like the ticket, Ole Timer. I don't see the purpose of so many attachment points, except for maybe around the curves where lateral forces might come into play. Can someone explain?
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
before you secure the track directly to the plywood I would recomend that you first put some sound deading material like Homasote or foam borad just to get rid of some of the sound after that connect the power to every thing and then screw it down.
Noooo ... I did'nt mean every spot ... LOL . Just where you may want or think you may need them . I have a huge ole Alleghaney ... pulling all diecast cars and it's a heavy setup putting alot of push and pull on curves .... I just add a few there ... remember derailing and shorts will blow those expensive tmcc/railsound boards right up ! You know the old saying ... better safe than sorry . With that dremal/nail stup ... the lil nails are'nt real tight but very snug and easy as the devil to pull out ... those tiny rounded heads are easier to disguise or really almost invisible in the ballst . Take a lil paitbrush and put a drop of grey on them ... walla they're blended right in !
trainfan504 before you secure the track directly to the plywood I would recomend that you first put some sound deading material like Homasote or foam borad just to get rid of some of the sound after that connect the power to every thing and then screw it down.
As TRAINFAN said with the homesote. Works great and I also used 1 inch fine thread dry wall screws.
laz57
If Walla Walla means "place of many waters", does one "walla" mean "place of a moderate number of waters"?
Bob Nelson
lionelsoni If Walla Walla means "place of many waters", does one "walla" mean "place of a moderate number of waters"?
All I know is a jewish female I once knew .... WOW .... do I remember her .... used to say that to me when she meant " and that's it " .... " and no more about it " .... I guess it means it's finished !
Earl - Can you share any photos of your FasTrack layout?
Mike
laz 57 trainfan504 before you secure the track directly to the plywood I would recomend that you first put some sound deading material like Homasote or foam borad just to get rid of some of the sound after that connect the power to every thing and then screw it down. As TRAINFAN said with the homesote. Works great and I also used 1 inch fine thread dry wall screws. laz57
Hey trainfan504 .... good idea ... but my wife refuses to get under the fasttrack .... LOL She's gotta be deadening material .... she's been killing me for years ... !
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