Hi,
I am beginning to build some turnouts on my layout. I have one that a friend of mine, who has much experience in building/hand laying turnouts, helped me build. it is mounted on 3/32" bass wood sheeting, which is the same thickness as my roadbed. To finish the turnout (first of three I want to build) I need to spike the rails (the rails are presemtly held in place with solder to the PC board ties). I have purchased spikes that are 5/16" long. The spikes go completely through the ties as well as the bass wood roadbed mounting. They stick through the bottom over 1/16". Is that a problem? Should I go with shorter spikes? I'm afraid these spikes will not go into the plywood table top and push back up when I install the turnout. I only have a few spikes in it right now. Your thoughts.
Ah... Kadee used to make a rail spiker that looked like a staple gun. Fit it right over the rail, bull the lever, and the track is nailed on both sides.
I do not suppose that they make these anymore, let alone the special staples that they used. What a pity! But back when this device was made, hand laid rail was far more common than it is now.
For flex track and other things like that, the LION would not buy rail spikes, them being far too expensive, but for hand laid rail, I guess that is all that will do. LION would buy the smallest ones him could get, unless of course you like split ties.
ROAR
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Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
E-L Man Tom,
I have spikes that are 1/4 inch long,measured from the bottom of the head to the tip..The ones you have,are they measured the same way for 5/16,or is the head included in the measurement?? Either way the 1/4 should work,,,that's about the smallest made..The ones I have are old,3,000 in a clear plastic container,labels are long gone...
Cheers,
Frank
Micro Engineering, has 1/4 inch black spikes,255-30105,pkg (1000) for 9.40..
zstripe E-L Man Tom, I have spikes that are 1/4 inch long,measured from the bottom of the head to the tip..The ones you have,are they measured the same way for 5/16,or is the head included in the measurement?? Either way the 1/4 should work,,,that's about the smallest made..The ones I have are old,3,000 in a clear plastic container,labels are long gone... Cheers, Frank These are 5/16" measured from bottom of the spike head head to the tip. I'm just about positive my LHS (who has a very limited selection of model RR stuff) has them. I had the ones that I have. These are from Micro Engineering, 1,000 to a package. I will likely have to order shorter ones, if that's a problem. I can't think of any other solution - - one thing right after another on this project. It's been months since I've last had trains running because of the hold-ups here.
These are 5/16" measured from bottom of the spike head head to the tip. I'm just about positive my LHS (who has a very limited selection of model RR stuff) has them. I had the ones that I have. These are from Micro Engineering, 1,000 to a package. I will likely have to order shorter ones, if that's a problem. I can't think of any other solution - - one thing right after another on this project. It's been months since I've last had trains running because of the hold-ups here.
Yes, Frank, mine are the 255-30106 from ME. I really hate to have to order these when that's all I need. It's a hassle for both me and the supplier. I usually include other things that I need, to make it worthwhile to pay the shipping and so the supplier has more than one item he can put into one shipment, especially for something this small.
If nothing else you could cut chisel out some of the plywood that would be beneath the turnout. That way when it's laid in place the spikes won't be sitting on the plywood.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
You could buy me a present,,that will boost your order,,,LOL..
Jeff,
That would work too,,,,or spike the turnout rails in place and have the spike tips go in the plywood..
zstripe E-L Man Tom, You could buy me a present,,that will boost your order,,,LOL.. Cheers, Frank Good one, Frank :-)
zstripe Jeff, That would work too,,,,or spike the turnout rails in place and have the spike tips go in the plywood.. Cheers, Frank Yes, but I believe the plywood is too hard for them and they'll bend instead of going into the plywood
Yes, but I believe the plywood is too hard for them and they'll bend instead of going into the plywood
I guess they might bend,if you were putting them in alone,,but you are only going in maybe a 1/16.. Only one way to find out,possalutly,,test, a couple...
Since you don't want to wait for the smaller 1/4" ME spikes, either spike the turnout down while placed on foamcore or other soft wood, separate, clip or grind/ cuttoff wheel before placing. Or you could sink the spike part way, remove, clip it off and reinsert and send it 'home"
Know what you mean that they bend hitting some plys. Club had an entire switching area that the spikes refused to penetrate the luan (sealed and painted) had to predrill each spike- yikes! took forever to handlay the beast.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Thank goodness I am on homosote! No spiking issues and a dream to work with. I tend to make non-closeup photo sections of my layout with the ME code 70 flex, but do desire to hand lay critical parts of my layout that will be close up photo op areas. I use the ME "small" spikes. The micro size is just too small.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Richard,
I AGREE,with you on the,Homosote,,,,,,Lord be Praised..
I suppose I could buzz the tips off with the cutoff wheel on the rotary tool, as some have suggested.
Thanks for all the tips guys
i've been handlaying HO track and turnouts on homasote. I had no prior experience. I purchased micro engineering "small" spikes (1/4"?). i often split ties.
I've had to purchase additional spikes since then, and purchased micro engineering "micro" spikes (3/16"?). I found the smaller spikes easier to work with.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading