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Ballasting tools

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  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 893 posts
Posted by PennCentral99 on Monday, March 1, 2021 11:50 PM

peahrens
mbinsewi
This is a great example on how helpful these forums are.  Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz.  

 

I was considering my next layout might be N scale, but not now.  There is no way I could find the correct size ballast cup.

Seems the correct tool for this job could be a shot glass......

Terry

Inspired by Addiction

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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, March 1, 2021 11:59 PM

PennCentral99
Seems the correct tool for this job could be a shot glass......

I find the shot glass better suited for use after the ballasting session has been completed.

Wayne

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 7:21 AM

doctorwayne
I find the shot glass better suited for use after the ballasting session has been completed.

Yes  Hear Hear!!  Drinks

Mike.

  • Member since
    September 2003
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Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 8:07 AM

PennCentral99
Seems the correct tool for this job could be a shot glass......

That is what is shown in the picture I posted...

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    March 2020
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Posted by FlattenedQuarter on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 8:20 AM

I'm getting ready to ballast my 360' of track. I've taped everything off and got 100 lbs of masons sand loaded into my sand blaster. I tested it and running at 3.1415 psi I calculated that it should take me (assuming I can turn in a circle fast enough) 28.340 seconds to lay it all down. For fixing it down I've built a fogger using an old 10lb propane cylinder filled with equal parts of elmers, water and tannerite. I'll be starting it from the other room with my .243

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Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 10:49 AM

FlattenedQuarter
and running at 3.1415 psi I calculated that it should take me (assuming I can turn in a circle fast enough) 28.340 seconds to lay it all down.

But to four-place precision that's 3.1416psi, so you'd better recalculate; safety first and all that, you know.

And you're not supposed to mix the Tannerite before, ah, deploying the constituents.  I recommend getting some of those hexamine heating tablets for model steam engines and treating them with nitric acid if you need prompt levitation to where the ballasting adhesive will settle evenly but with thorough coverage.

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 54 posts
Posted by Carolina Northern on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 11:43 AM

FlattenedQuarter

I'm getting ready to ballast my 360' of track. I've taped everything off and got 100 lbs of masons sand loaded into my sand blaster. I tested it and running at 3.1415 psi I calculated that it should take me (assuming I can turn in a circle fast enough) 28.340 seconds to lay it all down. For fixing it down I've built a fogger using an old 10lb propane cylinder filled with equal parts of elmers, water and tannerite. I'll be starting it from the other room with my .243

 

 

 

I had to check to be sure it wasn't April.Big Smile

 

Don

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 893 posts
Posted by PennCentral99 on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 2:06 PM

If this can shoot salt, should be able to handle ballast. Probably use this for hard to reach areas.

Terry

Inspired by Addiction

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    September 2003
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Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 2:26 PM

PennCentral99
If this can shoot salt, should be able to handle ballast.

I had no idea!  Taken from their Web site:

BAL-AST-SALT 3.0 is specifically tailored to the needs of the more serious hobbiest [sic].  Those who are fluent in weaponry & gun handling will appreciate custom improvements such as cross-bolt safety, trigger redesign, and Patridge sight (not to be confused with the bird, the sight is named after the famous rifleman Patridge). 


We are very proud of this new, effective addition to our family.  However, we must warn that instead of leaving ballast neatly in the cribs for easy cleanup, it may shotgun it many more prototypical places.  Lorenzo also assures the 3.0 model greatly increases odds for full helix and staging-yard coverage even around curves.

Includes 90-day warranty, limited 1-year warranty with proof of purchase
 

UPDATED FEATURES:

  • New Cross-Bolt Safety!  Once it's on, it's on.  Once it's off, it's off. Feel free to rapid fire, folks!
  • Sleek design has streamlined the feel of the gun.  It's like butter on toast.
  • Updated engineering on trigger mechanism.   It's now VERY light – so be careful!  Keep away from children, pets, & idiots. 
  • Barrel has been lifted & Patridge sight added for extremely accurate shooting.  You can shoot N gauge track now!
  • Improved, more durable salt hopper makes tactical reloads easy during the heat of battle.
  • Stronger spring creates a tighter ballast pattern.

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 3:20 PM

I use this spoon that is free for the asking from the Pharmacy. It is for dispensing children's medicine.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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