In this video we will look at the tools, materials, and techniques needed to ballast your track - and one tool in particular that will make the job easier! Enjoy!
Great video and excellent tip about using a paint edger. For touching up in really small areas, I use a pipette to apply the ballast. Keep up the tutorials coming.
Use a metal spoon to lay the ballast. Tap the rails with the spoon and the ballast settles in much better! Transmission fluid works just as well as the clipper oil.
Another good suggestion, Joe. The Wahl Clipper Oil is conductive. In fact, some model railroaders wipe a thin layer of that oil on the top of their rails. They believe that it improves pickup. Others think that it attracts dirt. I used to put one drop on each rail about 3-4 places on the layout and let the train wheels spread it around. Seemed to help smooth running.
Thanks for the video ... gotta buy cork & code 83 track for next bigger layout since current has E-Z Track ... then I'll try your techniques!!! All the best ...
Great video and excellent tip about using a paint edger. For touching up in really small areas, I use a pipette to apply the ballast. Keep up the tutorials coming.
Thanks for the comment and for another good tip, Lou.
[thank, you for you're helpful video]
I'm glad that you found it helpful, Garland.
Thank You Bruce
You are welcome, William.
Another tip is use a long paint brush handle and tap the tops of the rails which helps to knock bits off the ties,
Good tip, Joe.
Use a metal spoon to lay the ballast. Tap the rails with the spoon and the ballast settles in much better!
Transmission fluid works just as well as the clipper oil.
Good tips, John.
Hi Bruce good info. One suggestion on the oil as that's a real good point, try using conductive oil for those areas. It might help down the road.
Another good suggestion, Joe. The Wahl Clipper Oil is conductive. In fact, some model railroaders wipe a thin layer of that oil on the top of their rails. They believe that it improves pickup. Others think that it attracts dirt. I used to put one drop on each rail about 3-4 places on the layout and let the train wheels spread it around. Seemed to help smooth running.
Nice demo Bruce. I use a very similar method with slightly different 'hardware'.
Thanks, Jim.
Thanks for the video ... gotta buy cork & code 83 track for next bigger layout since current has E-Z Track ... then I'll try your techniques!!! All the best ...
You are welcome, Donald. Good luck with the new layout.