Help with Helix


4

4Starcstms

Member
hi all!!

Im finally adding the other half to my shelf layout so now it'll be a U shape instead of an L. I want to add staging on a second level underneath. Its a 9 foot run straight on so using a simple inline wont work. To drop the 8-10" it'd be like a 5 or 6 percent grade. I'm thinking build a helix. My problem is that I've never done one before and really have No clue where to start .... somebody surely can point me in the right direction ...
 
There are a ton of different methods, most good. Here's a couple I know of. (I'll be building one again soon too! The description of my first one is in the first link.)

http://www.nscale.net/node%2F5305

http://216.221.100.200/rmr_faq/Layout/Helix.html

http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/benchwork/helix.html

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=31234

http://users.rcn.com/weyand/tractronics/helix/hlxartcl.htm

http://sluggyjunx.com/rr/georgetown_branch/layout/index.html

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1291243/ShowPost.aspx

And there's always this forum! I just searched for "helix" in the construction section of this forum and came up with two pages of hits!

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/search.php?searchid=171036
 
Well I just started mine the other day, with help from all the fine folk who responded to my earlier thread in this category "styrene helix".
Check it out for some excellent advice and a nifty pattern by Ryan H!
It is HO scale with a 58" diameter, or 29" radius. (5' exterior overall)
I wound up going with plywood as I had a ton of it out in the boxcar.
Your grade is governed by three things really; the clearance required from railhead to the bottom of next level, the length of run to reach the next level, and the thickness of the material used in construction. I wound up with about a 1.5% grade, so far...
I'll throw in a couple pics of the first test run on the lower level staging, a 1.5 double track turn. (temporary supports in place)
Boy these things do eat up alot of track!
 
Okay, thanks for the input ya'll. I definatly think that this is doable. I would rather make my helix from the trapezoids, rather than cut one big circle. Mostly because having the table saw just seems to be a much more faster and accurate way to do this. Having to cut that 48" circle outta plywood just isnt appealing and seems very awkward.

COnfused? Okay
helix_01.jpg

that photo was posted by NYC George in Rico's thread..

I cant seem to find, or figure out how to get the dimensions for each of the peices to make up the circle. Help! Somebody far smarter than me has to be able to point me in the right direction!!
 
One thing I can say from building my helix is that it uses up a ton of wood. There seemed to be no real way to use the wood efficiently.

Bill
 
Helix help

I think this is it. I built my helix last year and didn't save any of the calculations. I just went down stairs and measured every thing and drew it up. I'm pretty sure it's right for a 6' helix. Just in case I'm wrong make it out of card board first.

NYC_George
 
Thanks NYC - Mine isnt going to be six feet, and I'm still really unsure how to figure dimensions for mine ... I'm going to try and get mine in 4' ...
 
Scott, if you look close you'll see that is the shape I went with.
I cut plywood into 7' strips, then made an angle cut at the end using a radial arm saw, then turned the wood over and cut the same angle. Repeat untill the strip is done. I nailed a block for a stop so cutting went etremely fast.
The helix is made by laminating the shapes together as in Georges photo, and there is very little waste.
Here's Ryans template I used, for a smaller circle you'll need more angle:
 
i just checked out that easy helix website. that is some neat stuff they created. Now the question is, is it cheaper to go with that or to just make your own?
 
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