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@Ed Kapuscinski has generously sent me several samples of the sanded grout which he uses for N-scale ballast (thanks Ed!), as I was interested in trying this out as a possible alternative to Smith+Son ballasts as well as several (most?) other brands of commercial stone ballasts which lately have become difficult or impossible to obtain. So here is the first sample track that I have put together, using Ed's "Ballast Mix" colors combo as detailed here: https://conrail1285.com/n-scale-ballast-using-sanded-grout/.On thing I've done here that is a little different is to sift/screen the grout to several grades. I started with a #40 screen to get rid of anything oversized or chunked together. What's in the pics here (on the left half) is from the #60 screen, and then from the #80 screen (on the right half). To my eye, the #80 size is good if you want a really close-to-scale look for a mainline (helpful to make your models look more full-sized in closeup pics). The #60 is easier to see the granularity in-person (and for that case the #80 would make a good branch line size contrast).The screening is a bit time-consuming, and it actually turns out that the majority (like 75% or more) of the sanded grout is fine/powdery enough to pass thru the #80 screen and even a #120 screen, so at that point is it almost like a dust. That's pretty high for an unused portion (some of that still could be used for roads, scenery, etc.), but I wanted to be sure to keep the grain size in a specific range. Anyways, I've found that similar sifting is needed even for the S+S, AZRM, SE, Highball, and others (tho they don't have as much fine/powery/dust).So here are the results. This was applied using standard ballasting methods. Of note, I think the grout tends to discolor/darken less than most commercial MRR ballasts that I have used.For comparison, here is a sample of the Smith+Son (now defunct/unobtainable) in a couple of colors and similarly graded. The Penn+Ohio on the rightmost sample is #60, and the rest are #80.Overall I think the sanded grout looks pretty comparable. I think this is encouraging, even in light of the initial cost of having to buy several colors in 25 lb. bags each just to get started. You do get to mix them to match the ballast color that you really want.Ed
"Better Ed's...", Ed? Are we making value judgments here?
Success!
2. Did you take notes on your blend? Or did you just eyeball it? As you remember, I kept track of mine in "parts"
... commercial ballast isn't getting any cheaper or more available
4. One of the big drawbacks is that the brands available at your local stores may change over time depending on what vendors are "in" with them at the time. I've run into this right now, and it's one of the reasons I was MORE than happy to empty my remainders into a bag for your experiments: I can't get replacements so I need to start from scratch with whatever Home Depot is carrying now.
Success!Ok, so Ed N, here are my thoughts.1. That looks good. I'm glad the mix turned out.2. Did you take notes on your blend? Or did you just eyeball it? As you remember, I kept track of mine in "parts"3. It IS annoying having to make the upfront investment, but commercial ballast isn't getting any cheaper or more available, so it's a bit of a wash. Especially if you can go in halvsies on some of the more minimal colors you'll need with someone. 4. One of the big drawbacks is that the brands available at your local stores may change over time depending on what vendors are "in" with them at the time. I've run into this right now, and it's one of the reasons I was MORE than happy to empty my remainders into a bag for your experiments: I can't get replacements so I need to start from scratch with whatever Home Depot is carrying now.5. Be careful with some colors when you're affixing it. Some grouts have a tendency to stain (since they do have pigment in them). Sometimes that's a desireable effect. Sometimes it's not. I don't have any words of wisdom there other than "test first".
"Better Ed's...", Ed?
I found this pic of the AZRM ballast that I used on my old Loop layout. IIRC it is a mix of the N scale Northern Pacific and CSX/SP colors.Grout FTW (for Tehachapi anyways).Ed
I have to wonder if anyone is really going to ship that much weight for free. We'll see -- it's supposed to show up Friday.
Sieving limestone to 60 and 80 would probably be an interesting comparison. Just IMO.
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Topic: Better Ed's Sanded Grout Experiments (Read 2885 times)
