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Reborn HO RR Modeler/Retiree

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  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, March 7, 2019 8:25 AM

Iphone here.  I email myself pictures, usually, then upload them from the computer to Imgur.  Too lazy to take the cable from the charger and connect it to phone and computer.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, March 7, 2019 8:21 AM

Maybe go read the "sticky note" by Steve Otte, at the top of the General Discussion forum, on how to post pictures.

You can't do it right from the phone to here, you have to put your photos in a photo hosting site, like Flickr, or Imgur, or Photobucket, just to name a couple.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Thursday, March 7, 2019 8:15 AM

Ok- I put the smartswitch app on both phone and computer and can't seem to get the pics to come off the phone.  Samsung Gallaxy 9 really is a bummer!  I will have to stop my project for a couple months to save up for a camera!

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Saturday, January 12, 2019 11:22 PM

I could snap mine if cut to within 1/16 in. through.  But, I cut mine all the way through with a carpet knife.  About seven healthy cuts, 14 is better.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, January 12, 2019 5:11 PM

KB5JCX
Pictures coming soon.

.

Please post pictures.

.

I have been on quite a benchwork project myself.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, January 12, 2019 10:36 AM

Welcome back!  Looking forward to your pictures!

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Saturday, January 12, 2019 10:10 AM

OK!  I have my benchwork built, stained, and polyeurothaned!  I have the plywood likewise on top and the Homasote cut and screwed to the plywood.  Next is to level and fasten the benchwork together so it wont move but together and put up a four inch rail on each side as I complete the main and secondary tracks. Pictures coming soon.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:46 AM

NittanyLion

 

 
BigDaddy

I did not know Homosote could be cut with a carpet knife.  Does it snap like styrene? 

 You can snap the last cut if you are almost through but I don't.  I just keep until it is a clean cut.  No dust.

 

 

 

 

No, it just flexes and tears. 

All of us in the Denton Area Model Railroad Club use it on our sectional track, which was 1800 feet when I was a member, and our private tracks.  I use clamps to fasten a straight metal yardstick on a straight line, then take about 40 or 50 strokes and get a nice clean cut with a carpet knife.

 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Potomac Yard
  • 2,767 posts
Posted by NittanyLion on Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:43 AM

BigDaddy

I did not know Homosote could be cut with a carpet knife.  Does it snap like styrene? 

 

 

 

No, it just flexes and tears. 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, May 31, 2018 9:45 AM

I did not know Homosote could be cut with a carpet knife.  Does it snap like styrene?

Years ago I used a jig saw that had a toothless knife blade.

 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Thursday, May 31, 2018 9:34 AM

good for you

  • Member since
    February 2018
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Posted by KB5JCX on Thursday, May 31, 2018 5:38 AM

I finally saved up enough money to build the benchwork in detachable segments for moving and making changes.  Smallest turn will be 28"radius and largest 36" radius.  Using 2" by 2" legs and cross bracing with supports for detachable table top at about 16" (or less) and 3" overhang.  Using "1/2 inch" plywood for table and homasote atop that with 2 outer mainlines on cork roadbed with switch yard and depot.  Using T-nuts and carriage bolts for levelers.  Benchwork should be done in about a week.  Will order table-top plywood and homasote (cut with a metal straight edge and a carpet knife) in late June.  Will send pictues of items when done. 

rrebell

 

 

NAMNUUMQUUM DRACO CONSEQUIIT

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 10:13 AM

Didn't fiqure in that high of meds cost. Guess we are lucky as for the most part, we don't do meds, not that the doctors didn't try. Thought you were getting things like meds thru the VA.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 8:52 AM

My copays and all dental come out of my pocket - to the tune of the first $5,000 in meds per year and all tests and two thirds of the office visits.  All dental is cash up front - no copays.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 2:16 AM

KB5JCX

I guess you dont know all.  I get $800 per month for retirement and $1200 per month SS due to my military service and a job I had for a few years afterward.  Texas teachers do not pay into SS - just retirement.  Not a lot to live on.  My wife taught 30 years and only gets about $600 per month more.  Try to live on that on today's economy and upgrade things as the house is falling apart.

 

If you live in alot of places in Texas, that is a lot of money, out here in the SF bay area, that is the rent on a one bedroom apt.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Monday, March 26, 2018 11:51 PM

I guess you dont know all.  I get $800 per month for retirement and $1200 per month SS due to my military service and a job I had for a few years afterward.  Texas teachers do not pay into SS - just retirement.  Not a lot to live on.  My wife taught 30 years and only gets about $600 per month more.  Try to live on that on today's economy and upgrade things as the house is falling apart.

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • 9 posts
Posted by Storm75 on Sunday, March 25, 2018 9:03 PM

I believe rhe OP mentioned locating a sourse for Homasote?

In my area (Michigan) Home Depot sells the "real" Homasote brand, about $30 bucks per sheer.

Lowes does not, they have imitation homasote.

Mike

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 25, 2018 2:12 PM

KB5JCX
At this time, I am still painting white-tied flex-track. Waiting for next month for the lumber for the benchwork.

I've seen flex-track with white ties.  Are they suppose to simulate concrete ties?

Mike.

EDIT:  Never mind, I just search and found some at Walthers.  Yup, concrete ties.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • 547 posts
Posted by eaglescout on Sunday, March 25, 2018 6:26 AM

KB5JCX

Alas, I have big problem.  I don't get much of a stipend for retirement.  I lost two of my favorite engines, but neither is DCC.  I cannot afford to switch to DCC.  Do I just let my heart break?  Live with it?  Get over it?  Is there a place I can get a 44T or  DS-1?  Can I scratch build these?  Where and how do I choose the right can engine?  Do I just trash it all and find another hobby?  Has the hobby evolved into a hobby only for the rich?  I appreciate any advice.  Perhaps my quote is appropriate.  Thanks.

 

From what I have seen of today's teachers they make a pretty good retirement compared to what I make on social security and a small state retirement for 12 years of service.  I run a 14 x14 around the room DC layout with mostly ebay purchases but some new equipment and don't feel I am breaking the bank doing it.  Just add a little bit each month and year and in 4-5 years you will be amazed at what you have accumulated.  Yes, you can spend a lot but you don't have to if you budget and look for bargins.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Friday, March 23, 2018 8:19 AM

At this time, I am still painting white-tied flex-track.  Waiting for next month for the lumber for the benchwork.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 19 posts
Posted by S and C Branch on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 4:31 PM

KB5JCX
 

 

 

I'm just getting back into things and I have no plans to go to DCC.  I may regret building a layout that is blocked for DC operation but at this stage I don't want to invest that kind of money until I know I'm willing to devote the time, etc. And I'll probably go with code 100 track (maybe code 83 on the sidings and yards) because I have a stash of it.  My locos are mostly Athearn blue box (maybe one "super power), a couple Bachmann Spectrum and believe it or not, old Tyco/Mantuas and AHMs that I got at various garage sales/swap meets etc. for cheap.  I may ditch some of them once I get things running, but for now I have no plans to invest in any more motive power until I get some track laid.  (No eBay for me!).  Welcome back; I'm just getting back into myself.  
 
Mark
  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Thursday, March 8, 2018 11:59 PM

BigDaddy
DCC engines can run on DC, but if there are no plans to unltimately convert to DCC, why buy all the bells and whistles that you won't here on a 30 year old power pack?

The reason I wish to continue to DC and not DCC is that I cannot afford it.  The loco's I wish to replace may be DCC ready or DCC only.  I could not find any to fit my needs with DC only.  So, I had to know.  Thank you ALL very much for helping me out on this.  I am so much relieved!  RL

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 9:26 AM

KB5JCX
He said I could run a DCC loco (can engine?) on a DC layout (of the old days and power supplies built in the late 1980's or early 1990's.

Well, there are a couple of manufacturers, Atlas and Bachmann come to mind, that have "dual-mode" decoders.  When you take it out of the box, it's set for DC.  By removing or rearranging the "jumper plugs", you can change it to DCC.

I have many Athearn locomotives from the "Blue Box" era, the 80's and 90's, DC, that did run on DCC, but the motor makes a lot of noise, and you can't leave them sit on a DCC powered track, as it will burn out the motor.  I have installed DCC decoders in these, but that's another topic.

Many of the newer locomotives come "DCC Ready", which is different than "Dual-Mode", in that a DCC ready locomotive is DC right out of the box, and you can remove the jumper plugs, and "plug in" a DCC decoder.

Look at the box, read all of what it says, and ask questions.

Mike.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 8:56 AM

Hon30critter I think Steve was objecting to the (now removed) statement that there are sales on this forum.  There recently have been other posts in other threads where someone is implying they have some of "those" they are willing to sell.  

I suppose it's because MR has retail advertisers.  They are unwilling to host a classified section, because their advertisers might object, and reasonably so.

DCC engines can run on DC, but if there are no plans to unltimately convert to DCC, why buy all the bells and whistles that you won't here on a 30 year old power pack?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 17 posts
Posted by KB5JCX on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 8:43 AM

I just phoned a retailer (name not revealed) and spoke to one of the "technicians."  He said I could run a DCC loco (can engine?) on a DC layout (of the old days and power supplies built in the late 1980's or early 1990's.  This is contrary to what I heard from a retired friend of mine?  Any thing left out of this formula?  Any conformation whether I can or cannot?  -  RL

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, March 5, 2018 10:57 PM

Steven Otte
I have to point out that there are no "For Sales" here. Advertsing or linking to items for sale is prohibited under the posted rules of the Forum.

Hi Steven:

I may be a bit slow here, but does that mean that we can't use an eBay item as an example (assuming that I am not the seller)? I recently posted a link to some LEDs on eBay just to show the OP what I was talking about. Did I break the rules?

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: On the DelMarVa
  • 4 posts
Posted by BowserTB on Monday, March 5, 2018 8:27 PM

My error.  I've just started here, haven't explored the various sub-forum areas, and assumed there was the "usual" for sale / trade subforum.  I stand corrected.

Moderator
  • Member since
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  • From: Waukesha, WI
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Posted by Steven Otte on Monday, March 5, 2018 4:13 PM

BowserTB

Again, watch the For Sales here and on other rail forums, you could pick up a small layout rig like the NCE Power Cab Starter Set.

 

For the benefit of BowserTB and others new to the MR Forums, I have to point out that there are no "For Sales" here. Advertsing or linking to items for sale is prohibited under the posted rules of the Forum.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: On the DelMarVa
  • 4 posts
Posted by BowserTB on Monday, March 5, 2018 11:45 AM

Most, if not all DCC locos default to DC operation, plus most modern production locos are available as DC only, so you've got that going for you.  Like programming in PERL, there's ALWAYS another way to do something in this hobby.  Geeked

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