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T-Trak Group Project: Assembling a module, Part 1
thanks David I’m going to build one of these I have a nephew he comes over all the time.
Hi David, the general rule at boat shops is that you are usually one clamp shy of what you need. The number of clamps “could” be reduced by careful use of a good quality web clamp with corner guards. You’d need to use the same care in clamp set up as you demonstrated.
Thanks for mentioning the slight warping, and inaccuracies that always plague shop work!
I’m glad to see you doing the T-trak modules. Chris made some comments awhile back that T-trak looked like something she could do. Rather than start from scratch, as you are, in assembling the boxes, I bought her some module kits from T-kits, http://t-kits.com/catalog/1. She was easily able to assemble the kits by herself. The track went down accurately and her two modules snap together easily. So for those without a shop, or without twelve clamps, the kits offer an easy alternative.
I’m looking forward to seeing what various folks put on their modules. Chris has stalled for a bit as she wants to build Settle Station in England. She’s picked a challenge! http://www.visitcumbria.com/carlset/settle-station/ Lots of scratch building.
This is going to be a fun series to watch.
David
Was neat to see some of these at Trainfest. Helpful technique for the backboard when drilling. Look forward to the remaining videos to see it all come together.
Allan
Very interesting and a first for me. Thanks for doing this.
Interesting project and great idea to get the staff involved. I’m sure they are not all model railroaders. I have one other comment, and that is the continued use of inches, feet measurement instead of metric. I grew up in Canada with inches and feet, but because Canada adopted metric in my 20’s, I can measure in both.
I prefer metric. I recently moved from Canada to Netherlands for work. Here in Europe my new modular HOm railway is all metric. Its easier to add, subtract multiply and divide. Your new project is a great chance to try out metric and get your viewers in sync with the rest of the world. Come on USA, measure up to the rest of the world.
David
Brunssum, NL
Yes folks,only three countries in the world not using metrics.Liberia,Myanmar and the USofA.
If you had used 3/4" thick side material, the assembly process would have been 10 times faster and much stronger.
I am enjoying theT-Trak series and look forward to seeing the creativity of the participants on the individual modules.
Your construction of the T-Trak modules is different (not saying it is wrong) from the plan shown on the t-trak wiki. The module shown on the wiki puts the “base plate” on the top of the module. This allows for the placement of track wiring, DCC panels, module animation lights, sound speakers and/or motors, to be placed below the 12" x 14" “top” piece of the module, leaving the underside hollow.
One question: What was the size of the bit that you used in the pin vise to drill out the plastic for the nails?
Other points: an easy way to separate two modules is to place a small flat blade screwdriver in the gap between the ends of the two sections of track (overhanging the module) and between the two modules with a slight twisting motion. The modules will pop apart easily.
Our club prefers to use small screws (“K” screws - from Trainsaida {http://www.trainaidsa.com}) to hold down the track rather than nails. They found found that the continual moving/set-up/tear-down of the modules over time caused the nails to work loose and the track to out of alignment.
The only thing missing was Bob Vila. The best thing, so far, other than the zapatos azules, is the demonstration that model railroading isn’t just about trains and track. The hobby has so many other facets, skills, tools, (and clamps) required to do the job. There’s always another thing to learn and another way to do it. GO METRIC!
Great video, enjoyed reading some of the other comments.