Whats the best track ballast for N scale?

[robert3985]

Actually, for U.P. Mainline stone sizes, and, maybe other mainlines too, the best sieve sizes to get would be:

Large - No. 40 (420 or 424 microns) or 0.0165" openings...or 2.64"

Small - No. 45 (355 microns) or 0.0135" openings...or 2.16"

For my "sieves", I bought sturdy stainless steel screen, made my own sieves out of scrap dimensional lumber (premium pine boards), glued & screwed it all together because it's a helluva lot cheaper if you've got some basic woodworking skills & tools.

Here's some No. 40 SS screen material pre-cut at 11" X 14" on Amazon for $6.99 (free shipping)...
https://www.amazon.com/28cmX36cm-Sturdy-Sheets-Projects-Stainless/dp/B097JR8JJ2/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WSz5-s2v1sN4gy9yswNQh18MbDpJq85hz9mI0sRE_49zJ8TSxz0WoknU0egl43lsb0iQihPHutotr_7qaq_o3hGJgu8zUQzucF0ZtKwG89rxx7EBshXQc6YLL_c5tRW4tCfsSQ1i22rPxEM35az8N0eWSbDEa_RXtrvGn16EsV4xv_ESC6093fXsp6xfcjQQR5Wbe-qweFJy5e_nGf287QfTXULZRcGHk173qdvCObo.Gq91marsgtYbmq6zHCP1iOrPzp4b_db42j5vzEsLg84&dib_tag=se&hvadid=490790392442&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021712&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1057781349932142046&hvtargid=kwd-1123009829276&hydadcr=7442_9611317&keywords=stainless%2Bsteel%2B40%2Bmesh%2Bscreen&qid=1722923092&sr=8-3&th=1

I'm sure that No. 45 mesh screen is also available, but I don't have time to search.

Or, go with the used Standard Testing Sieves, which can be found at a good price too, depending on condition.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[mu26aeh]

Last I heard, owner of ARM is not in good health.  So, if you need it......

[ridinshotgun]

Last I heard, owner of ARM is not in good health.  So, if you need it......

He's not involved in the business any longer, and hasn't been for a while, due to those health issues.  Supposedly family is running it now.

[MK]

Isn't his so running the business now?  I think there was a presentation by him in a past Zoom Rail session.

[reinhardtjh]

Just another data point.  I ordered 15lb of various ARM ballast on Oct 16th and it shipped Oct 30th and is due to be delivered by USPS on Nov 2nd.

The front page of their web site says 41 days but mine was much quicker.

I also got my #40 and #45 Standard Testing Sieves from Ebay so I'm interested to see how much of this get sifted out as too small or too large.