Ballasting tools

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
21

Thanks, Waylon

22

Yikes, glad I asked cuz I only had 4 1/4 ounce cups. Solved the problem by pouring 2-part epoxy into the cup to reduce the capacity to 4 ounces.

Rich

23

This is a great example on how helpful these forums are. Had I known about using the epoxy earlier, I could have avoided the mess I had on my hands when I tried to cut the top of the cup off to reduce the size to 4 oz. [:O]

Thanks to Ron and Wilton for the great tutorial!

Lesson learned!

Mike.

24

Your problem was that you did not know to use the epoxy to re-form the stiffening rim after reducing the cup height. You need less epoxy that way vs. just pouring into the bottom, and the ballast will not tend to stick to the epoxy as it does on humid days or if you didn’t get the mix of resin to hardener exact enough. Just make a ring on a piece of non-stick material and lay your calibrated-to-size cup upside down until the epoxy has thoroughly cured, about 72 hours.

This is also useful for those who model using the metric system (and actually HO scale ballast has to be measured in metric because it’s 3.5mm or whatever to the foot, so the 4oz is technically off by a critical conversion percentage). I confess that this is all new to me so I’ll appreciate someone giving the correct SI size and unit name for ballast volume.

25

I was considering my next layout might be N scale, but not now. There is no way I could find the correct size ballast cup.

26

[(-D][bow][(-D][bow][(-D]

27

You need to think outside the cup… I mean box:

28

Always happy to be of assistance, Ricardo.

Wesley

29

The wit in this thread is just amazing!

Don’t anybody quit your day jobs.

30

My wife doesn’t think I’m funny, either.

31

Seems the correct tool for this job could be a shot glass…

Terry

32

I find the shot glass better suited for use after the ballasting session has been completed.

Wayne

33

[Y] Hear Hear!! [D]

Mike.

34

That is what is shown in the picture I posted…

35

I’m getting ready to ballast my 360’ of track. I’ve taped everything off and got 100 lbs of masons sand loaded into my sand blaster. I tested it and running at 3.1415 psi I calculated that it should take me (assuming I can turn in a circle fast enough) 28.340 seconds to lay it all down. For fixing it down I’ve built a fogger using an old 10lb propane cylinder filled with equal parts of elmers, water and tannerite. I’ll be starting it from the other room with my .243

36

But to four-place precision that’s 3.1416psi, so you’d better recalculate; safety first and all that, you know.

And you’re not supposed to mix the Tannerite before, ah, deploying the constituents. I recommend getting some of those hexamine heating tablets for model steam engines and treating them with nitric acid if you need prompt levitation to where the ballasting adhesive will settle evenly but with thorough coverage.

37

I had to check to be sure it wasn’t April.[:D]

Don

38

If this can shoot salt, should be able to handle ballast. Probably use this for hard to reach areas.

Terry

39

I had no idea! Taken from their Web site:

[quote]
BAL-AST-SALT 3.0 is specifically tailored to the needs of the more serious hobbiest [sic]. Those who are fluent in weaponry & gun handling will appreciate custom improvements such as cross-bolt safety, trigger redesign, and Patridge sight (not to be confused with the bird, the sight is named after the famous rifleman Patridge).

We are very proud of this new, effective addition to our family. However, we must warn that instead of leaving ballast neatly in the cribs for easy cleanup, it may shotgun it many more prototypical places. Lorenzo also assures the 3.0 model greatly increases odds for full helix and staging-yard coverage even around curves.

Includes 90-day warranty, limited 1-year warranty with proof of purchase

UPDATED FEATURES:

  • New Cross-Bolt Safety! Once it’s on, it’s on. Once it’s off, it’s off. Feel free to rapid fire, folks!
  • Sleek design has streamlined the feel of the gun. It’s like butter on toast.
  • Updated engineering on trigger mechanism. It’s now VERY light – so be careful! Keep away from children, pe
40

I use this spoon that is free for the asking from the Pharmacy. It is for dispensing children’s medicine.