I’m building a yard and have a choice between making it a 3-track yard or a 4-track yard. Obviously the more tracks the better for the 4-track yard would have the tracks just at the edge of the layout. Short of building out the layout, I’m thinking of putting a plexiblas shield. I notice other madelers use that on their layout, and many modular layouts have them to protect them from the outside. Where do I find it, especially just a small size (4’ long and 6" tall)?
Try Home Depot or Lowes in their window and door department where they sell replacement glass for windows and doors. Most building codes now require the use of Plexiglas in storm doors, etc. where there is a chance that someone might accidentally go through the door. You also might check places that do glass replacement in damaged doors and windows. They’ll probably stock Plexiglas for the above reason. Depending on the thickness that you need, it shouldn’t be very expensive.
Bob
Check your local hardware store. You might have to buy a whole sheet and cut it yourself, it depends on what they have on hand. I have also seen some at Lowes.
Craig
One of the big box hardware stores will probably have it. I’ve bought smaller pieces. i can’t remember for sure if they had a 4 foot piece, but I think they did. Go to the section were they have doors and windows.
Any time I wanted to replace or to simply acquire plexiglass, or pyroceramic for fireplace fronts and bar-b-que lid glass, I would go to the plate glass people in the yellow pages. They have all the mirror stock, plexiglass, and so on.
My local hardware store has it and will cut it to order. Take your measurements as they were able to use some of their scrap pieces so I didn’t have to buy a whole sheet.
Good luck,
LHS = Local Hardware Store
A good one like mine will not only cut what you need and charge you the standard square inch rate, but; even repair your screen doors & window screens with the sturdier pet screen if you so desire. Sometimes these family-owned/multi-generation stores still do exist.
Plexiglas train fencing
I agree with using plexiglas to save your locomotives and cars from the 5 foot smash to the floor. Here is how I have done it.
Procuring
1/8th inch Plexiglas is sold at Lowes and Home Depot in my area under the name of acrylic sheeting. It comes in various sizes, minimum I have seen is something like 1’ x 2’. I try to get the 2’ x 4’ pieces. I don’t get the tempered kind.
Approach
I have a lined all of my track near a table with either plexiglas or masonite strips. I use the masonite in places where the transparency is not required. My strips are 1.5" tall and I use #4 x 1/2 screws to attach it.
Cutting
I have tried to cut this stuff with radial arm saw, band saw, chop saw, hack saw, sabre saw and durn near killed myself with someof these methods. Then I tried scoring and snapping. None of these methods worked. Then I tried my table saw. Set the blade at just the thickness of the sheet being cut. I use a standard ripping blade, have never tried any other except that. I get a good cut using this approach. I use my belt sander with a 60 grit belt to take the sharp edges off. Wear your safety glasses, make sure ALL of your saw guards are in place, blade sharp and use a push stick.
Drilling holes
I use a sharp 1/8 drill bit to drill the holes in the edge for the screws. I make up 5 or 10 strips at the same time and it is easier to drill 5 or 10 at once than singularly, it is when the bit breaks through that last piece that you can have problems with splitting.
Interestingly, I have had my fencing up for about 5 months and of course I have a couple of areas where I didn’t think I needed it, locomotives have way of finding
Make the screw holes slotted to prevent cracks due to temperature changes.
Besides the big box stores you might try find a Tap Plastic store in your area. They have a great seletion of everything plastic. I got some round arcrylic tubing from them. They have a website http://www.tapplastics.com/
And put masking tape where you’re going to drill the hole. It helps keep it from cracking.
Actually, for drilling Plexiglas, get a plastic drilling bit. They are much more pointed than a standard bit and will not crack the Plexiglas. Go to www.mcmaster.com and enter plastic drill bit.