'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Questions and Ideas to track building, how are you doing it? need help? new features? share your ideas.
Raudi1
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Raudi1 »

Keid..

Am interested in your Dremel method. What are you doing at switching points?
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Keld
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Keld »

right now I did most switching without the plate, it seems to work fine if I remember to let the switching wire became unbroken, and the straight wire cut and just push as close to the other as possible, I only tried the plate once, then I just go slowly from side to side to make the hole to the plate, I think depending on the wood type that I can make 2 cuts and then use a chisel.
/Keld
Raudi1
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Raudi1 »

After some experimenting on scrap of wood, there is there is no question the "Keid" method is the easiest way to lay wire. Score, fill w/glue, press in wire, wipe, done!

If nothing else the Dremel attachment pays for itself in what I save in wallboard mud!

The switching is the part I want to clarify. If I understand Keid is suggesting the turning or "switched" wire is continuous and the straight thru is gapped close to the turn wire?

Would it be possible to diagram an example and what kind of gap are we talking, 1mm?, 2mm?

I see "vintage 1/24" made an awesome bullring oval w/ the Keid method... What switching method did you use? Hoping to save a ton of time in trial and error... I'm willing to learn.
Nor Cal Mike
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Nor Cal Mike »

Raudi 1, You can find out layout information regarding the plates here. http://www.magracing.co.uk/track.html

The plates aren't that big of a deal. As an experiment, I lined up several rows of staples in the recess, tapped them down flush with a hammer and they work as good as my other changers with a plate.
Raudi1
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Raudi1 »

Thanks mike... Good to know.
Vintage 1/24
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Vintage 1/24 »

Raudi1 wrote:... I see "vintage 1/24" made an awesome bullring oval w/ the Keid method... What switching method did you use? Hoping to save a ton of time in trial and error... I'm willing to learn.
I answered your IM but in case you missed it:-

The Demel Cuttoff saw, with the 1/4" MDF glued to it base (which is the material I was using for building the track anyhow), makes a cut that is about 1 mm deep - which is the thickness of the wire. You can tweak this by affixing thin pieces of tape to the "foot" to finely adjust the depth of the cut to match exactly where you want that wire to be - but suffice it to say - very little material is removed.

It is very easy to "freehand" and you can also remove a rectangular recessed area for the lane change plates just by moving it around -
There is so little material excavated, and the MDF material is pretty soft - so the cutoff saw can easily clear or mill a small recess, and because of the 1/4" MDF "foot", it is guaranteed to not go any deeper than that 1mm depth- no matter where you cut.

When you do this yourself you will see just how shallow the 1 mm "slot" is - not at all like the woodworking a typical routed wood slot car track requires.

So yes - I used the lane change plates as per the manufacturer's instructions - and filled the "milled" or "routed" recess with a small amount of spackle or plaster.

Here is link to another discussion on a dedicated slot car board that might be interesting as well:

http://www.homeracingworld.us/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1175
Raudi1
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Raudi1 »

Thanks much. Agreed the saw is much easier than routing a traditional slot table... Got about half my track done this weekend in couple hours. Hoping to get cars and switch points this week.
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Kuipo
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Kuipo »

Yes, raudi and I got started on the track and the routing seemed the easiest way so far. I'd like to see what the traction difference is between painted wood vs painted cardboard vs painted plaster. I'm sure the thickness of the paint also plays a role.

We've taken a lot of photos and should be able to show some progress at some point.
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Kellerkind
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by Kellerkind »

Hella Keld,

Thank you for sharing your method. Guess I have to check that. Looks very practicable!

Regards Jens
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tsmra
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Re: 'Routing the Keld method' (Dremel saw)

Post by tsmra »

Any one wear out a blade yet? Got about 30' to 40' and it is starting to cut slow.

Brion.
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