Looking for advise on a Laser

Hey Scott, a old school way is to use a 4 Ft level or metal from a shelf brace. In real life all in all track is Not Always perfect!  I always enjoy your posts. Hope you Get to work on your layout soon. Wish I lived closer.  Art

 

Can you snap a chalk line on the benchwork?

2 rail based comments:

 

This can vary depending on your choice of flex track.  Some very flexible track really needs careful tangent alignment.

 

I use a variety of methods.

 

4',6' & 9' steel straight edges for along the tie edges.

 

Eight foot 1 1/4" wide steel or Masonite insert strips with holes drilled for Atlas pre formed mid tie holes.  This is great for going over bridges and flowing over prebuilt factory turnouts.  Old and new Atlas use somewhat similar hole spacing.

 

When spacing out multiple tracks I use strips cut for between the tie ends.  For wide curves I cut them in to 2" lengths, shorter for tighter.

 

Snap lines may mislead some.  IMO, kinda ok for laying split roadbed but it falls somewhat shy of precise for track.   You need to choose which edge of the line to use or it can set up mild wiggles.  I use lasers but again the line is a tad wide.   I use 360 degree rotating lasers for setting benchwork but not for the track.  We also have an X laser used for floors, walls and ceilings but IMO not that practical for track laying.

 

IMO, nothing beats a mechanical straight (or curved) edge.

 

 

 

 

Most any sheet metal shop will shear custom width long strips of metal for along tie edges.

 

Also masonry screed bars are available from 2 to 10 foot lengths at better builders supply stores (not box stores).

 

Metal supply houses have 3/4" X 1 1/2" rectangular tubing up to 20 feet long which I find to be dead straight when pulled fresh off the banded stack.  Buy a 20 foot   length and have convient lengths precut at the shop.  Aprox $20.00

A tape measure, a chalk line and a four foot level, maybe a square and a two foot level too.  Throw in a yardstick and a ruler just for fun.  Oh yeah, back to the truck for a pencil and marker. 

And a laser, why not?

Art I am up to all Ideas Keep them coming. Carl A can Use a chalk Line But it would be a pain to set up walking back and foulth as I am an amputee. I am missing my right leg just below my knee. I can walk but I am always looking for ways of cheating but doing things right.

Tom Tee  I am using Atlas Track 10"  & 40" pieces. I will take your advice and pick up a piece of  Masonite within the next week.

 

William  Not another trip  back to the truck    My leg hurts or should I say my stump.

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-...Tr58MCFZSKaQodHK8A7w

 

I got this at Lowes for setting my L girders level as I built an around the room layout.  Floor was very sloped toward one corner, so the horizontal laser line did the trick.  When I got around the room I was able to match up the benchwork perfectly to the starting point.  

 

It also has a vertical line that you could shoot down the track line.  

Scot - I think  laser pointer would work for your purposes and its gonna be a heckuvalot cheaper than a laser level.  If you take a piece of wood - say 8+ inches long and rip some grooves for the track rail (tight enough fit so that it won't wobble in place) and then line up the laser pointer along one of the rails, with maybe some hot glue to keep it in place.  Cut off about 2 inches from the board and set up a laser target on it directly above the rail you are using for alignment.  Oughta work.  Just don't look back into the pointer (no, seriously), especially if its a green laser.  Not a good idea with a red one either.  But as long as you keep the laser target in front of you, you should be able to avoid looking back...  Besides, remember what Satchel Page said ('never look back, something might be gainin' on you').

Scot - here's a link to an Amazon page full of laser pointers.  I'm sure your local office supply store, etc. will have them also.

 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb...+pointer%2Caps%2C423

Nothing wrong with using the laser for sure.  You will probably use all the tools before you're done.  I admire your ambition.  Just from experience, I know that even when I make a list, there is always one more trip to the truck.  May that not be the case for you.  Best of luck.  Lay em straight!

        

     Scott would you / could you use A wheel chair to get around the layout? I know you have helped me out in the past and if I have crossed the line I am sorry and I will mind my own business. Hope you are doing well take care. Choo Choo Kenny

Scot, you're a smart man thinking of the laser.  I don't know how many hundreds of trips i made back and forth to opposite sides of the layout squinting down the lines.

 

I discovered lasers as a building contractor, and they completely revolutionized the whole building process.  I was old school so old habits die slowly, but the laser is so simple and saves miles of back and forth.  Red line right down the ROW, leave it there while you work, it's like having three helpers who don't screw up.  

 

Idiotically, I didn't think of using my construction laser on the layout until I was finished.  Duh.

 

 

yep, one trip to one end, measure from edge of table and stick a nail in, go to the other end, measure in the same distance from the edge and light the laser to hit the nail.

 

Same as a chalk line, but no mess.

 

Get the safety glasses. It's a lot like welding, you'll get too many peeks of light no matter how careful you are.

For 50' long straight I used an earlier model of this laser:

Porter Cable - RoboToolz Self-Leveling, 3-Beam, Level & Plumb Laser, Part Number:RT-7510-3

Replace the swivel base with a track guide made of 1/4" plywood for alignment.

Cho Cho Kenny  or should I say Kenny. When I first started the layout I tried my best & didn't  use a wheel chair. To this day I only use one if I know there will be major walking like over 2 to 3 hours. I just could not see myself  using a chair trying to build the layout. So I have had great days building the layout. And I have had bad days building it . Its like hojack said.  you're a smart man thinking of the laser. I just want a simple way to complete this layout with as few trips back and fourth as I can.

      Kenny No you did not cross the line I lost my leg. I do not hide it from anyone. I don't even cover it up. I cut the leg of my jeans just above the knee  and I am set to go. Anyone know some one legged  jokes I am up for them too.  So you don't have to mind your own business. Any one have a question just ask it.

 

ok I just want to thank every one for your replys. 

You'll burn your eye out.

Scott,

 

I have an older version of this one. Simple and useful for many projects.

 

http://www.sears.com/craftsman...-case/p-00948251000P

Any laser will work for marking a straight line if thats all you need.  Get a cheap cat toy and clamp it in a pair of vice grips.  Aim it down your board and mark the line with a pencil.  That's what I did for my layout room.  I put a pencil mark every so often and put the laser away.

Hey Joe I just picked this up today So I just want to Thank You.

 

http://www.sears.com/craftsman...-case/p-00948251000P