The Proto:87 Stores or fastracks?

[Sumner]

.....A PCB shear is a lot.....

How about under $20 for 3 of them (shears)....

I figure under $5 per turnout for PCB ties, wood ties and rail.

https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/Trackwork-Index.html


Sumner

[GM50 4164]

How about under $20 for 3 of them (shears)....

I figure under $5 per turnout for PCB ties, wood ties and rail.

https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/Trackwork-Index.html


Sumner

Thanks for the videos Sumner. What copper clad boards are you using? Can you share the size, thickness or links for purchase?

[Sumner]

..... What copper clad boards are you using? Can you share the size, thickness or links for purchase?

You can find different thicknesses of single and double sided with also different thicknesses of the copper.  I've been using double sided in around .030" thickness.  I find that they can vary at times between about .028 to .032 in thickness.  Fast Tracks seem to be .031.  I usually use the ones around .030 and if there are some thinner I use them for other electronics projects.  Usually as solder pads where ...


https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/DCC/page-12.html

... I need to connect a lot of wires in a small space, like the WiFi throttle above.

You can find more info and link here....

https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-4.html

I've gotten to where I can pretty much eyeball the cut and don't have to use a square like in the video.   Most...



... will work in a Fast Tracks fixture like above and if they are just a bit off I'll usually use them for a turnout I'm building on a paper template.  I'm not overly critical if they aren't exactly alike as the ones in the real world don't seem to be either.  30 minutes and I have enough for quite a few turnouts and the cost is hardly anything.

Sumner

[TinyTurner]

I would like to do it but, my hands could not cope with hand shears, early arthritis and other problems. 
I am in the process of inquiring about the 2mm association cutting accurate PCB tie strips in 0.8mm thick.  Apparently a huge quantity of 0.8mm PCB was purchased to supply the association, which gets processed with a strip cutting machine and a volunteer operator!
This may be good news for anyone on the European side of American N scale building.
It seems that there will be a tools set up fee and a cost for the first batch.  Thats ok, I will ask for pricing.

Just ought to double check for the correct size for N scale PCB ties before finalising, as I was working from fast tracks dimensions.  It is likely they will be cut in mm, but if its a tiny discrepancy, between metric and imperial, there is a minute error in the cutting process anyhow. 
It seems to me that 0.8mm height is correct, that's what we got and appears to match proto 87 stores wood ties that don't need sanding.

Proto87 stores are still running and I received a reply recently stating that parts are still available 

[Sumner]

.....It seems to me that 0.8mm height is correct....

That is right at the height of Fast Track ties and the height (thickness) of PCB I've been using.  Works in ....


https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-4.html

... the Fast Track fixtures or using paper templates.  A little thinner than the wood ties I use but you want that so that the throwbar slides back and forth with the wood ties holding the rail a little higher.

Do you have a friend or someone who could cut the ties for you if the other option doesn't work out?  You could cut a lot, a large lot in any hour.  I can cut enough for a single turnout in a couple minutes.

Sumner

[TinyTurner]

I don't really have anyone to do anything right now, so have always had to adapt ways to do the job of two on my own, make a tool or invent a solution.
It is looking promising from the Association to get small strips cut of on their machine which would need trimming. I would pay the overheads for the new cutting stop.  I am told they would be only available to Association members, but it is low cost membership and the paper journal is a work of art.

I have a few Fastracks PCB ties on order to get started.

Another option is the bench top guillotine with a stop added, or maybe a laser cutter.
I think that it would be possible to come up with a home made strip cutting machine to make my own longer strips from larger glass fibre sheets, something with a very fine micro saw blade, with a fine feather edge to hold the cut parts down.
That's all diverting though, and I ought to get some construction done before another project, I will find a way 

[peteski]

I think that it would be possible to come up with a home made strip cutting machine to make my own longer strips from larger glass fibre sheets, something with a very fine micro saw blade, with a fine feather edge to hold the cut parts down.

Keep in mind that fiberglass/epoxy composite PC board material is very abrasive.  It will eat through even High-Speed Steel teeth quickly.  That is why PC board manufacturers only use Tungsten Carbide drills and router bits. Those last considerably longer.  Also keep in mind that the dust from machining is really nasty. Not something you want to inhale.

[nkalanaga]

Or, if it's that abrasive, get in gears!  I would think that the workbench would need a thorough cleaning after cutting the stuff

[TinyTurner]

I am thinking some kind of vacuum cleaner port would work well.
I have a Proxxon vacuum cleaner somewhere that switches on with the tool in use.
Probably do anything that dirty outside.  Very careful about dust on models.  And all those tiny sharp fibres, it was bad enough with one of those cleaning pencils!
I don't think enough care is usually given to competed layouts regarding some sort of dust cover, especially where AC is uncommon.

Proxxon also have a selection of diamond cutting wheels, good quality (supposed) German tools.
https://www.proxxon.com/en/micromot/tools-diamond-grinding-bits-drills-and-cutting-discs.php

and Permagrit Carbide
https://permagrit.com/collections/discs-blades

It's hobbies within a hobby isn't it?

[peteski]

Yes, miniature shop tools are hobby unto itself.
As for the vacuum, make sure it will trap those tiny glass particles. Some shop vacuums only catch larger particles.

To me the least messy way to cut fiber/epoxy copper clad board into ties would be using a shear.