I bought a neat new tool for my track construction today. It's one of those laser levels, but it also doubles as an HO (or any scale) survey tool.
There are lots of them out there, the one I bought cost about $50. http://www.strait-line.com/irwin/consumer/straitline/jhtml/intersect_laser_level.jhtml
What's so neat about this model is that it projects two lines, at 90 degree angles. If you hang it on the wall, it self levels and shows you plumb (straight up and down) and level at the same time.
You can also project the lines horizontally, which is where it comes in handy for us model railroaders. One of the most difficult parts of track construction is making sure your curves line up with your tangents (straight track) a small angle there can cause big problems later.
Here's how this gadget helps solve that problem. You set one of the lines to project down the centerline of your straight track. The 90 degree line now shows you exactly where the center point of your curve should be. Measure in the desired radius, draw in the arc, and you're all set. You can also use it to make sure the connecting track is at a 90 degree angle, which is handy if you're using sectional track.
It's also neat for building benchwork, you can use it to make sure your benchwork is level and the legs are plumb.
I'm not selling these, and I don't get any commision if you click the link above, so there's no hidden agenda here. It's just a nifty tool that I thought you might want to hear about.
There are lots of them out there, the one I bought cost about $50. http://www.strait-line.com/irwin/consumer/straitline/jhtml/intersect_laser_level.jhtml
What's so neat about this model is that it projects two lines, at 90 degree angles. If you hang it on the wall, it self levels and shows you plumb (straight up and down) and level at the same time.
You can also project the lines horizontally, which is where it comes in handy for us model railroaders. One of the most difficult parts of track construction is making sure your curves line up with your tangents (straight track) a small angle there can cause big problems later.
Here's how this gadget helps solve that problem. You set one of the lines to project down the centerline of your straight track. The 90 degree line now shows you exactly where the center point of your curve should be. Measure in the desired radius, draw in the arc, and you're all set. You can also use it to make sure the connecting track is at a 90 degree angle, which is handy if you're using sectional track.
It's also neat for building benchwork, you can use it to make sure your benchwork is level and the legs are plumb.
I'm not selling these, and I don't get any commision if you click the link above, so there's no hidden agenda here. It's just a nifty tool that I thought you might want to hear about.