My adventures in Ho Scale.

[Hawkesburytrain]

That reminds me of when I build my helix.
Nice work so far.

 

[migalyto]

Made a little progress over the last couple of days. This is the part of the mainline that goes through the backdrop and will be hidden. It will come out of a tunnel and do a long in the mountains run.

 

[zzr1200guy]

Fantastic. It gets me amped up to start my big layout

 

[migalyto]

Weekend update: Got the rest of the cork and track laid on the incline through the backdrop.

I also did get a little more sub-roadbed completed.

 

[Rico]

Lookin good Mike!
Well ok… other than those “waiting to go under your fingernail“ splinters! (been there)

 

[migalyto]

Lookin good Mike!
Well ok… other than those “waiting to go under your fingernail“ splinters! (been there)

I've yet to find a good jigsaw blade that won't splinter plywood.

Maybe my blades are too course.

Got any suggestions?

 

[Smudge617]

Weekend update: Got the rest of the cork and track laid on the incline through the backdrop.View attachment 175824View attachment 175823
I also did get a little more sub-roadbed completed.
View attachment 175825

Looking great Mike.

 

[Topherisme]

About your jigsaw comment…. I actually find cheaper blades work best, but have to be changed more often. Also spm is an issue, i like variable speed jigsaws that max out at least 2000spm, higher is better though. Gently push through the cut, don’t force it . Love the progress, looks good!

 

[Lynnb]

Looking good for sure. As for the splintering , jig saw is the only way with a course blade , it’s just a step we have to go through .

 

[Smudge617]

Looking good for sure. As for the splintering , jig saw is the only way with a course blade , it’s just a step we have to go through .

A sander would also help to get rid of the rough edges too.

 

[Topherisme]

Cuts with a jigsaw, should be a relatively clean cut. These cuts were made with Harbor Freight junk

 

[migalyto]

Cuts with a jigsaw, should be a relatively clean cut. These cuts were made with Harbor Freight junk

Were the blades purchased at Harbor Freight as well?

I would be very happy if my cuts looked like that!

 

[migalyto]

A sander would also help to get rid of the rough edges too.

I figure a couple of passes with 100 grit will take most of that away. Then with paint and ballast will hide the rest.

I am going to try and find a better blade. First time using this new jigsaw, so I'm using the blades that came with it. I have tons of other blades for the old one, but they are U-shank, and the new one is T-shank.

 

[Smudge617]

I figure a couple of passes with 100 grit will take most of that away. Then with paint and ballast will hide the rest.

I am going to try and find a better blade. First time using this new jigsaw, so I'm using the blades that came with it. I have tons of other blades for the old one, but they are U-shank, and the new one is T-shank.

As your cutting ply a I would suggest using a Bosch T101AO jigsaw blade, (yes, I had to go look it up in my DIY account, it's been a while) it's designed for use with Ply, I got a set when I started my layout and cuts were very clean.

And remember if the ply is vibrating while you cut it will cause bad edges, but I know you know that already.

 

[Topherisme]

A jig saw isn’t something I use much, when that’s the case, yeah, I get the cheap stuff every time lol

 

[Smudge617]

A jig saw isn’t something I use much, when that’s the case, yeah, I get the cheap stuff every time lol

My old man a self taught carpenter and joiner, and made a decent living too.
He lived by the motto, you buy cheap, you buy crap, you build crap.
Buy good quality, you buy a good build everytime.

I still use his old Black&Decker Hammer drill, and that's pushing 50+ years old now.

 

[Topherisme]

I agree mostly Smudge, but nowadays everything is made as cheap as possible, you are just paying for the brand name seems like anymore.

 

[Lynnb]

A sander would also help to get rid of the rough edges too.

I guess I should have added the sander , I use a belt sander , takes seconds and actually once the cork roadbed is down and scenery joined on nothing is seen again of any abnormalities in the wood.

 

[migalyto]

As your cutting ply a I would suggest using a Bosch T101AO jigsaw blade, (yes, I had to go look it up in my DIY account, it's been a while) it's designed for use with Ply, I got a set when I started my layout and cuts were very clean.

And remember if the ply is vibrating while you cut it will cause bad edges, but I know you know that already.

I'm going to give the Bosch blades a go. Seems many woodworking sites recommend them as well; The Diablo blades rank up there too.

I have a Diablo blade in my circular saw that's been going strong for many years.

 

[migalyto]

I guess I should have added the sander , I use a belt sander , takes seconds and actually once the cork roadbed is down and scenery joined on nothing is seen again of any abnormalities in the wood.

Thats what I figure too. Once it gets painted and ballast, it won't be noticeable.

Plus, it's going to be buried in a mountain run.