Concrete Tie strip for N Scale and Code 40 Rail

[robert3985]

Mark @narrowminded , I sent you a loooong PM with info concerning the turnout tie-base.  Thought you might like it all in one place.  Can't wait for the sample to show up on my doorstep!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[narrowminded]

Thanks to all who are showing interest.   I just wanted to let folks know that I'm still mending from my hernia operation and it's really kicked my a$$ so I may be a little slow to get new info for a week or so.  It's not for lack of interest.

@robert3985 and @ednadolski  are involved in advising and reviewing test prints and their contributions are very much appreciated. 

[trainzluvr]

Hi,

I believe this was asked earlier but didn't catch an answer in the thread - were these 3D printed in Resin or FDM?

[reinhardtjh]

Hi,

I believe this was asked earlier but didn't catch an answer in the thread - were these 3D printed in Resin or FDM?

I asked earlier but don't recall seeing an answer.  But based on some other remarks I'm assuming resin with an Anycubic Photon or equivalent.

[peteski]

I asked earlier but don't recall seeing an answer.  But based on some other remarks I'm assuming resin with an Anycubic Photon or equivalent.

Yes, Mark "grows" these tie strips in his Anycubic Photon printer.

[trainzluvr]

Great, thanks.

Looking at the specs of the Anycubic Photon printer, it would appear these are printed in a vertical orientation?

I'd venture a guess then that the most one could get out of it is 6" in height (length), which might barely fit a #7 turnout.

Has anyone tried printing a FDM turnout tie block?

I recently bought an Ender 5 (which I still have to setup) but have been contemplating feasibility of printing custom turnouts with it.

[peteski]

Great, thanks.

Looking at the specs of the Anycubic Photon printer, it would appear these are printed in a vertical orientation?

I'd venture a guess then that the most one could get out of it is 6" in height (length), which might barely fit a #7 turnout.

Reply #39 ( https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48446.msg643046#msg643046 ) indicates that he prints tie strips horizontally.

[trainzluvr]

I missed that ...

[rodsup9000]

 which might barely fit a #7 turnout.

 Print them as 2 pieces and glue at the tie separators on each set of tie strips.

Has anyone tried printing a FDM turnout tie block?

I recently bought an Ender 5 (which I still have to setup) but have been contemplating feasibility of printing custom turnouts with it.

 I have some #6's, #8's and some #12's around here somewhere that I printed 4 or 5 years ago. I'll see if I can find them and get some pictures for you. I do have pictures of the tie strips that I used on my trestle that were done basically the same way. The PC ties are super glued to recessed ties.






With the code 55 track rail and code 40 gaurdrail soldered to them








On the turnout strips, I have very small nubs that the outside of the rail sat against for rail alignment and still used a gauge to make sure it stayed in gauge. I didn't use any cause I bought a laser cutter and made them with that.   

 

[trainzluvr]

Hmm, laser cutter. Did you cut the turnout ties out of polystyrene and how powerful is your laser cutter?

I wish I could buy one cheap here in Canada. The 40 watt laser cutters are over $1,000 on Amazon, and even shipping them from China ends up being that much. 

[peteski]

Hmm, laser cutter. Did you cut the turnout ties out of polystyrene and how powerful is your laser cutter?

I wish I could buy one cheap here in Canada. The 40 watt laser cutters are over $1,000 on Amazon, and even shipping them from China ends up being that much. 

We had a discussion about laser cutters a while ago.  Check out https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46053.0 (despite the subject line). 

[rodsup9000]

Hmm, laser cutter. Did you cut the turnout ties out of polystyrene and how powerful is your laser cutter?

 I used .045" plywood as it's within a couple of thousandth of the thickness of ME ties.
 I've had my K 40's for several years now, and done a few mods on it. Real power is around 25 watts and mine is almost ready the new tube I bought a while back.
  Here's the review I did on it



https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40117.0

[trainzluvr]

Thank you, that's just making me want one now even more. 

[narrowminded]

An update.  It turns out I have a nerve being pinched that passes through the pelvis and is sensory for the upper thigh, causing pins and needles and a constant dull pain, pretty debilitating.  It's impossible to concentrate.  This only started Sunday night, more than a week after the hernia operation.  Hopefully it'll settle down as the hernia swelling settles but if not... There may be another surgery in my future.  Lucky me to be in a minority.   And this was going so well, no problems for a week+ after the surgery.   Hopefully I'll get back to the track yet this week.  Next up is the detail adjustments in the area of the tie plate on the branch line wood tie design.  

I'm still checking in on this thread and am really pleased with the way the parts are coming out as well as the general reaction from responders.

[glakedylan]

@narrowminded sorry to hear
healing be your's
and reflief from pain in the meantime
i hope you feel better soon


sincerely
Gary