Bulleidboy Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 I agree with your mix ratio WTD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted December 17, 2019 Author Share Posted December 17, 2019 Ok one more question please. Once the ballast is dry, it seems you use a track cleaner to remove any spills, etc - is the track cleaner the same as the Hornby track rubber? If not what do you recommnend please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Track rubber is ideal for removing excess glue from the rail tops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted December 17, 2019 Author Share Posted December 17, 2019 Ok - the PECO version would be the same I guess - the Hornby one is out of stock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHY581 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 With the track laid and tested, lay the ballast exactly where you want it. I use a tea spoon and add a bit at a time. I brush the ballast into place before tamping it down with the small piece of wood. Once happy, lightly spray track and ballast with water from a spray bottle. Using a small syringe or dropper, apply a mixture of pva/water to which a few drops of washing up liquid have been added. Work slowly, a drop at a time. Then leave to dry. Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 OK thanks.I now have all the various items and am ready to have a go. I am very grateful for all the advice, my intention is to ballast the long straight section first, and do the two points later. They are the bit I am most worried about(!), for this first layout I am quite happy if the ballst around them is not as good as the rest, as long as they work. Another post I made told of one set where power keeps being lost, so I really dont want any more problems.At least this is a test before I actually try a larger circular layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph speedtriple Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Being happy with the running of my layout, I finaly got round to ballasting a few weeks ago. Using a 'fine' chip ballast this is the result which I'm more than happy with and the track is Hornbys set trackhttp://i.imgur.com/2xD1LMal.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 Being happy with the running of my layout, I finaly got round to ballasting a few weeks ago. Using a 'fine' chip ballast this is the result which I'm more than happy with and the track is Hornbys set track Thanks for the image - very very impressive. My first attempt is only a single line with two points going right. I have got some grass and bushes, so once I lay the ballast I will have a go at the other 'secnics'. I was interested to hear how long your layout took? Oh and where did the models come from - I like the hut. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 Ok one more question please.I am using the standard hornby power clip for this first layout.What is the best way to deal with the ballast around the clip? If I put the ballast over the clip - will it still work - if I remove it and ballast the track will it still fit? Or would you suggest just painting the area a grey, and leave the ballast off.I know people dont use the clips, but I am for this first attempt.Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 I don't use the clips myself, but I would suggest painting the area grey and ballasting around the clip so that it is still removable. They are a fault liability, and as such (in my opinion) need to be removable for cleaning and maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 OK thanks. That is good to know as for my next layout (a proper set up) I was intending to use the clips again.Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 By the way - out of interest - how long does the glue mix keep for?Only I have probably 70% left after my first session today - now I could just dispose of it, but if it keeps for a few days I could reuse.Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 If it is PVA mixed with water put it in a sealed jar and skake it occasionally, mine lasted about 3 months. I'd used it by then but it might have lasted much longer. Don't make the mixture too strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 Ok thanks. This is the first time I have tried ballasting, so I have only done a single section. I made the glue using about 50% glue/ water - probably too much. At the moment it is set in the plastic bottom half of a coke bottle - not sure I have a spare jar to hand. Also in my haste I forgot the washing up liquid! Looking at the track it looks ok(?), I assume I can just add the wsahing up liquid - otherwise I might just throw it and start again tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I use 80/20 water glue. Takes a little longer to dry but doesn't set like concrete, more like toffee, easier to remove should it be necessary. Just mix it up occasionally to stop the glue settling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Just a couple more questions please.I have now finished the ballast, I took my time and am happy with the overall result. Now to the points - I have two sets - both Hornby. I followed the Everard video and used a neat glue mix to add the ballast and have checked the movement for the last three hours all ok so far. But I have not applied any ballast anywhere near the 'central' box area, its the bit that connects to the switch. I was wondering if other people do spread the ballast around this area or just leave it. Only looking at the magazines it seems people ballast the lot, if so I wondered how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 How? Slowly and carefully. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithp1707821843 Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 Ok... 😉Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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