I built a layout a while back. Now I have decided to run a bus for better connectivity. I have to run the wires to the track through 6" of foam. That is easy, it’s the 1/2" plywood beneath it that is the problem. Obviously I need a small diameter drill to go between the ties but it has to be about 8" long. Since no such drill exists what should I do? I can run a coat hanger through the foam but how do I get through the 1/2" plywood?
New Railroader in Illinois
Two possibilities:
I’ve got a 1/4-inch bit that’s a good 18 inches long. It’s a bigger hole than you want, but it’s not hard to scenic over the top once the wires are in. Check your hardware store for one of those.
Or, use a 1-inch hole saw or a big spade bit to cut a big circle in the plywood from below. Then you’ve got a bigger target to hit with the coat hanger from above. I use a bamboo skewer or a plain pencil to punch through foam
Was the foam on sale? [swg][:D][:D] Why don’t you drill through the plywood from below, then poke the coathanger through from there? You should be able to get reasonably close to the tracks, and if not, you can easily cut a shallow “ditch” into the top of the foam in order to get the wire over to the track. Scenery will cover that over later. You could also solder your track together at the rail joiners - this would cut down on the number of feeders you’d need to run.
Wayne
If you are good at measuring and can position the bit to start at the plywood, do so. Then just force an awl up through to the surface from below…even a thin knitting needle will do. If you have goofed in the original hole, make a note of the disparity and then drill with the corrected position.
12" & 18" drill bits are available in varying diameters from just about any hardware store. I have a12"- 1/8"dia and an 18" - 1/4" dia. I used the 1/4" for my drops, once you go through the ply, run the drill up and down a couple of times to clear the hole. Once you’ve attached the wire, just stuff the hole with a piece or two of foam.
You could drill from the bottom and then poke a wire coat hanger thru the drilled hole…
Not on sale. Itwas my first layout and it was a Woodland Scenics kit (river Pass). Lots of foam on the elevations. Thanks to all for the advice. Fantastic ideas.
I got 1/8" x 12" bits at Home Depot and Lowes. Seen them 18" long too.
Actually we use them all of the time in electrical work. The small diameter ones are called “Bellhanger bits”. They come in 12" 18" and 24" lengths. I also have a six foot x 3/4" version but that’s another story.
Karl
It is POSSIBLE to drill a hole, even through plywood, with a piece of coathanger. Cut a straight section long enough (9 inches maybe) using heavy-duty diagonal wire-cutters. This will leave a bit of a chisel end on the wire. Chuck it in your drill and have at it. It should cut well enough to get through the plywood, it’s just not as fast as a proper drill but. One problem may be the heat of the wire turning in the foam - it will probably get very hot. I have a couple proper drill bits about 1/8 inch diameter and at least 6 inches long. I think I found them at home depot.
Jim
Yup that’s what I have too…18" Bellhanger and a couple of Nailbiters by Greenlee that are a screw tipped auger bit. Then there is my 18" 3/8" masonry bit. All from Home Depot.
Dito on the 1/8" long bits. Also 8" and up as aircraft bits from various mailorder place (Aircraft Spruce, etc.) The other trick is to put a brass tube through the resulting hole to feed the wire through. once the wire is run, remove the tube and repeat on the next hole. If you run your drops every three feet or so, you don’t need anything bigger than 20 gauge wire to connect to the buss. J.R.