good morning to all, I would like to know how to make templates for different size radius out of cardboard?
thanks
Sam
Use a pencil, wooden stick, and a nail to establish the pencil at the desired raius from the nail then draw an arc and then cut out the shape formed on the cardboard. I would, however, recommend using the metal arc segments sold by Ribbonrail in assorted raidii. In HO the go up in 1 inch increments to 48 inch radius. The traditional units are 5 inches long, but newer versions are available up to 36 inch radius and very soon 38, 40 and 42 inch raidius versions will be introduced. They make smooth curves and transition curves very easy to form when using flex track.
I have some plastic templates, but I don't remember where I bought them.
Most of the time I use a piece of light decorative chain from Lowes, like you would use to hang pictures. I stick a push pin in one end, measure with a tape measure to the radius length desired, stick a pencil in that link and draw the required arc.
If you want to mark the edges as well as the center line, just use the appropriately spaced links on the chain.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
ollevon good morning to all, I would like to know how to make templates for different size radius out of cardboard? thanks Sam
Sam,
In large part, it depends what you are trying to do with the template. If you are laying track, you are better off using the metal templates from Ribbon Rail, as already suggested.
If you are using the templates to get an idea of how track will fit on your layout, it would be better to trace and cut the templates on styrene plastic. It will hold up a lot better.
I have used cardboard in the paste to set up radius curves and to mock up turnouts. it doesn't work well and is prone to bending and twisting.
If you are going to make templates yourself, tie a string to a nail and secure the nail in a piece of plywood. Measure the distance of the string required to produce the radius you desire and tie the other end of the string to a pencil. Hold the string taut and trace the outline of the radius on the cardboard or styrene plastic or whatever.
Another way to do it is to nail a strip of wood to the plywood base and drill a hole in the stick of wood at the desired radius point. Stick a pencil in the hole and start tracing. That works better than string.
Rich
Alton Junction
I found the company from whom I bought the plastic templates.
http://www.microtechscalemodels.com/
I use the templates where the pivot point of the chain would be off the benchwork or otherwise not usable because of some obstruction.
I prefer chain to string because string can stretch, and quite frankly it's easier to just stick the point of the pin and the point of the pencil through a link in the chain than it is to tie the string to the pin and the pencil.
I use the 10 inch Ribbonrail gauges in conjunction with one (half0 section of cork roadbed to sketch in an outline of a projected line. This way I get a good idea of just how things are going to fit - but can quickly undo what I have done if I don't like it and try alternate possibilities. This is much easier than getting a lot pencil marks on the baseboard.
Hi Sam.
I just made mine out of Heavy appliance cardboard. I couldn't justify spending the money on something I would use so little.
I used a wooden yardstick with holes drilled through it to draw the arcs and cut out the strips shown below. They worked fine.
When laying my track I did not want that stamped out, set radius look, so I would just eyeball it as I went and have curves that would in some cases, change in radius through the curve. Much like the prototype does. The cardboard strips I used were to make sure I did not go under my minimum 31" radius on the mainline.
270' of mainline went down without a problem. The price was right. Good luck.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
If you had some leftover Arborite or other counter-top material, it should make a very good and durable series of arcs for you. It might be smart to stack them, so glue to sheets together and then cut the arcs for added strength. Same for masonite.
I have been using radius templates cut from 1/8" pre-spotted owl plywood for over 20 years now. My N-Scale templates range from 24" down to 10" which is my minimum side track/industrial track radius. These templates are configured for double track in other words they are all 1.5" wide; my 24" template has the inside diameter at 22.5"; my 23" template has an inside diameter or 21.5"; etc. etc. etc. My sizes go down to 18/16.5". I have 180° templates; 90° templates; 45° templates; and 22.5° templates. These sizes have proven over the years to cover all my needs.
With a very fine blade you could perhaps use a jig saw to cut your cardboard; Using cardboard, however, I think I would create a trammel out of a yardstick notching the edge at 1" intervals. Once I positioned my fulcrum I would insert a box cutter in the notches on the edge of my trammel and swing it around to rip my cardboard.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet