Recent content by Michael B

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  1. Michael B

    future planning, adding power to Digitrax DCS152

    I checked on Sat morning and the mailbox was empty. Got back Mon night and it was there... Got one fixed up real nice. Anyway, I think you need to research breakers, light bulbs, and power districts before you start buying more dcc power. Get these concepts understood and implemented first.
  2. Michael B

    Upgrading Tru Trac Turnouts.

    At this point I am quite confident this turnout will not cause derailments, or shorts due to poor geometry. I am also sure that our air gaps are correct, so they cannot short either. Now, let us dive into the electrical hook ups. In my view, this is what you want - motorized, wired frog, wired...
  3. Michael B

    Upgrading Tru Trac Turnouts.

    Well, I got rolling and forgot to take pics of this next step. If anyone needs it, tell me and I take some on the next one. Anyway, I simply shortened both the points and spiked them in place. Once happy, I soldered the point rails to the conductor. This takes a lot of heat - I use my 100W gun...
  4. Michael B

    Upgrading Tru Trac Turnouts.

    I first decided to hold a deep cleaning with mineral spirits. I was sure to speak in tongues all the while so as to help vanquish the evil spirits. After I removed the evil parts, a conductor was formed which will carry power to our frog. I ripped a slot for it on the table saw first. Here...
  5. Michael B

    Upgrading Tru Trac Turnouts.

    Today, I venture into the realm of H...hang on a sec... Hold on... Breath. Breath. Today, I venture into... HO scale. Shhhhh, around here we do not speak it, we only whisper it. Just whispering it makes me feel dirty and rather naughty. Is it hot in here? HO scale, what a scary place it is...
  6. Michael B

    WeHonest Crossing Signals

    Those crossbucks look very oversized to my eye... Anyway, when you get tired of shrink tubing - use plasti dip. Also, there is no shrink tubing for magnet wire. One last thing, consider using contact cement to tie those wires down in a few places.
  7. Michael B

    Critique my 8x12 L-Shaped HO Plan

    Bridge instead of trestle!!! What the... It's a totally crap plan now...
  8. Michael B

    A Box Full of O.K. Streamliners Found Me

    This is when you gotta get tough. Down right nasty. Drill, grind, weld, whatever. If you mess up, a little bondo, some paint, and good as new... LOL. Truthfully, I did not look at the pics closely before I opened my mouth.
  9. Michael B

    HO model train repair/refurb

    Hello from Champaign. I may be able to help. Can you post a pic(s)? Why does the loco need paint?
  10. Michael B

    A Box Full of O.K. Streamliners Found Me

    Maybe drill them from the inside? Look and see if there is some kind of indent in there. I mean, surely they knew it would be hard to drill on the corregated area.
  11. Michael B

    Critique my 8x12 L-Shaped HO Plan

    I too worry about how you will reach the yard. Seems like you could make the yard longer...
  12. Michael B

    Bonding with Grandson

    Looks real nice. Did your Grandson get to do any of the woodwork or watch you do it? The big stores have crap lumber, so you have to be very selective. With experience you will learn what pieces of wood are most suitable. If/when you need good wood, go to a small yard that supplies materials...
  13. Michael B

    Bonding with Grandson

    BTW, what is the correct scale in HO, in mm? Isn't it something like 3.5mm == 1 foot?
  14. Michael B

    Ken Patterson HO fire

    I think the fire started like they said, but I would add that he very likely made a simple mistake in wiring - rail drops which were too thin. Also, they passed through foam which holds the heat in. Adequate wiring would not have heated up in such a way. But who the hell is going to solder #16...
  15. Michael B

    Layout is finished- now reliable operation questions

    Yes, they are worth it. Wired turnouts are the way to go. Atlas made in china turnouts are not worth buying. One is good, the next three are bad. Mass produced turnouts will be hit and miss to some degree. Walthers seem to be the best of them from looking at them at the LHS, although I have not...
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