Learning to hand-lay turnouts

[nickelplate759]

I'm planning my next layout.  I won't be able to start it for at least 12 months, maybe more - in the meantime I'm in an apartment with no layout.
I'm thinking this might be a good time to learn to hand-lay turnouts - but with no layout to test them in (nor any space for one), I'm not sure how to determine how well I'm doing.

FastTracks jigs look very useful for commonly used sizes, and I'm wondering if it's practical to
1. learn to make turnouts
2. stockpile turnouts for the future layout

Suggestions welcome!

[wcfn100]

Before you buy the jigs. Try making three turnouts with paper templates using a couple 3 point gauges and an NMRA track gage.


Jason

[dem34]

Well, you don't need a full layout if you intend to just practice. A 1x3 board with a siding that can be worked on a desk or table is good for getting started.

[nickelplate759]

I'm going to need a fair number of turnouts - so I want to not only learn to make them, but also ensure that they are correct and then build an inventory.

I'm sure that I'll tinker with the plan as I build, but a rough count is 14 #10, 20 #7,  7 #5 and 6 curved turnouts.  I don't want to make a lot of junk (I can buy junk if that's what I wanted).

So, how do I tell if I've made a good one?  It's not like I can install it in the layout and try it out.

[dem34]

If its just a case of making sure they're good. Simply attaching pieces of flex to each connection on a level surface will suffice for post build testing. From there its just going through as much of your own rolling stock and locomotive inventory to make sure even the fussiest in spec stuff will go through. But realistically if you just have a wheelset, truck and NMRA gauge and you occasional check performance through the build you'll find out fairly easily what would need improvement.


And all that said, regardless of how much pre planning goes in there is going to be a pile of shame made out of the first 3-4 turnouts, the important part is not letting that discourage you since that's part of the initial skill investment. Handlaid Code 40 really is that much of a visual improvement to be worth the effort.

[Sumner]

.....So, how do I tell if I've made a good one?  It's not like I can install it in the layout and try it out.

I was in the same situation before I built my test track and actually got to install some that I'd made.  I've made a little less than 50 to this point to use on the layout I'm finally building.  I also wanted to test them as I built them, or in batches and/or before I use them. 



I made the test fixture above that I can install about any turnout I've made on and have it connect to a used DC controller but can also connect it to my DCC++EX Command Station if I want with simple alligator clips.  I have about 3-4 locos that I use to test a turnout with different wheel/truck combinations and different wheelbases.

Works well and it only takes a minute to put a turnout in the fixture and start testing.  More about the build here....

http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-17.html

Sumner

[Angus Shops]

There have been a number of discussions on this, including recently in the “Atlas C55 #7 Switches” thread - lots of useful comments.

[nickelplate759]

I was in the same situation before I built my test track and actually got to install some that I'd made.  I've made a little less than 50 to this point to use on the layout I'm finally building.  I also wanted to test them as I built them, or in batches and/or before I use them. 

...
Works well and it only takes a minute to put a turnout in the fixture and start testing.  More about the build here....

http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-17.htm

Sumner

Clever! And well documented.   Thanks

[jagged ben]

My advice:  Just buy the Fast Tracks jigs (or borrow them from someone if you can), watch their videos carefully, and try it their way first.    Following their process will give you a huge leg up on developing the skills involved, understanding the concepts, and learning which are the critical points to pay attention to (no pun intended).   It will insure against discouragement from the inevitable initial failures trying to make your own points and frogs, or from just not knowing if you're doing it right.   Once you've built a few their way, you can decide if you want to up your game and diverge from their methods to improve on various details.  If you feel you can graduate from the jigs, sell them.

The other tips I will add is that in N scale their jig doesn't allow for enough PC ties to hold the switch together around the throwbar.  We tend to need our turnout motors to apply more pressure in N scale, and the single PC-tie holding the switch together at the points often doesn't hold up.   So I always finish mine up outside the jig on a template, with some extra PC ties around the throwbar area.  I also dispense with their 'Quick Sticks' and lay my own ties on top of the template.     

Myself, at this point, I could build a good switch only on a paper template.  But I'd still use the Point Form and StockAid tools unless I decided to start using machined points like the ones from proto87.com.

[nkalanaga]

Another suggestion for reinforcing the point area is to spike the outside of the stock rails.  The prototype uses rail braces here, so the spikes don't look out of place.  I used Micro-Engineering's small (1/4 inch) spikes.  Spiking through wood ties is easy.  If you spike through PC ties you'll need to drill holes, and BE SURE to gap the underside of the tie!

[djconway]

You don't need a lot of space to do an N scale layout.  My first N Scale layout was John Armstrong's Time Saver (slightly enlarged) on a 1x8x30 shelf.
I didn't want to spend a lot on N Scale since I was heading off to collage so I hand spiked all 8 switches and track.  This N scale experimental layout worked well enough that 49 years later I'm still in N scale.  Just placed an order for the Fast Tracks jig and PCB ties (no spike heads ) to get the kind of quality control that I want (Atlas you blew it with your code 55 turnouts)

[Bill H]

I'm going to need a fair number of turnouts - so I want to not only learn to make them, but also ensure that they are correct and then build an inventory.

I'm sure that I'll tinker with the plan as I build, but a rough count is 14 #10, 20 #7,  7 #5 and 6 curved turnouts.  I don't want to make a lot of junk (I can buy junk if that's what I wanted).

So, how do I tell if I've made a good one?  It's not like I can install it in the layout and try it out.

Frankly, I did exactly what you were considering. Before I moved to a home, I was in a tiny apartment overseas. I first tried a few using FastTracks paper templates, instantly discovered it was not THAT hard, bought two jigs for #5 and #7 which is most of my turnouts, and fall back on paper templates for the odd curved switches. Seriously, it is not that hard at all.

[sirenwerks]

I've been thinking about handlaying too.  Where does everyone get their rail, ties, and PC board supplies?

[mike_lawyer]

I received a Fast Tracks #7 Code 55 jig about a week ago, and am starting to build my first turnout.  I have found that watching the Youtube step-by-step videos from Fast Tracks before starting anything is really helpful to get an idea as to how everything goes together.  So far, my build has been going along smoothly.  There is a learning curve, but it has not been too difficult to date.  I am not trying to set any speed records, but am trying to be very precise.  An NMRA gauge is an absolute must!

[jdcolombo]

While I found the Fast Tracks jig helpful for learning the techniques, after building about half a dozen turnouts with the jig, I switched to a paper template with 3-point and NMRA gauges.  The one tool from Fast Tracks I find indispensable is the Point Form tool.  If you want to save some money, get the Point Form tool and the Stock Aid tool (which makes filing a "notch" in the stock rails easy), and forget the jig.  While the Point Form tool is technically specific to a particular turnout number, you can "fudge" it a bit by where you place the rail in the jig.  I used by #6 Point Form tool to make points for #4 - #8 switches that I then built using paper templates.  The Stock Aid tool works for all turnouts regardless of number.

And yes, you can make them and stockpile them.  That's what I'm doing to eventually build an addition to the layout.

John C.