Another bag off the kit pile - this time a useful device to make putting 45mm gauge rolling stock on the track a bit easier.
Supplied as a mix of laser-cut MDF and basswood (I think) parts, everything slots together nicely with no fettling. PVA glue was my adhesive of choice. Using a few weights and clamps, construction took very little time. The results would be strong enough for a small steam loco, and possibly something a bit bigger is you were careful. At 26cm long, you'd need to feed a Garratt on, but I'm sure it could be done.
The instructions suggest spray varnishing the result, so I gave it a few coats of Halfords laquer. This sort of worked, but the results were a bit blotchy as the paint soaked into the MDF unevenly. The following morning, I gave it a sand and a couple of coats of Ronseal interior varnish, producing a much more satisfying result.
Mind you, the varnish is just a nicely, the thing will work just as well without it, and perhaps even gain a working pattina more quickly! To be honest, the thing is so cheap, you could replace it when it gets tatty anyway.
I'm pleased to see that Timpdon models use the correct name for this gadget.
ReplyDeleteSome people mistakenly call them re-railers - this is just wrong, they are, and always will be 'putter onners' :-)
Ronseal mdf sealer is excellent for this
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