@Apples55 posted:I also have a hard wired and rechargeable Dremel, but I’ve never been able to get a good straight 90 degree cut, especially across all three rails
Paul, that has been my experience as well. I have been using the old standby razor saw like I did when I modeled in HO. It takes some elbow grease, but fortunately I don’t have to use it often.
I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great. I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.
John, that looks like the ticket for someone who doesn't have other heavy duty tasks.
@Mark Boyce posted:John, that looks like the ticket for someone who doesn't have other heavy duty tasks.
Yep, I have a 10" chop saw for larger projects, but this looked like a good fit for doing the track.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great. I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.
John....I had a similar one.....but I had to put my nose so close to the blade to see what I was doing, I was afraid of slicing the tip off.
The Ryobi saw gives me a clear view of what I'm doing....a personal preference to be sure.....
Peter
Peter, I'm sure the Ryobi is easier to use, I was thinking the same thing about visibility. Actually, I contemplated taking that flapping guard off for better visibility, but I never did.
Peter your layout is coming along nicely! I wish I had one of those for my track cutting, I am still using a dermal. I cant wait to see the transfer table in place and in action!
Peter, that’s a nice saw for all the cuts you need to make. The layout is coming along nicely. The transfer table is an interesting feature. I look forward to seeing it in place and working.
Andy
Looks great Peter. Very impressive. It is nice to have friends to help with the build. Looking forward to more updates!
Donald
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Tom, the two pieces that are an addition to the stock liftgate install are these two upgrades.
The first is expanding the control switches to have one on each side of the liftgate instead of the single clumsy big yellow control.
Mianne Lift Gate Control Expansion
The second enhancement to me was a major improvement in reliability of the lower limit switch. When you see the lame toggle switch and angle iron limit switch that comes with it, it's easy to see why they can get out of whack easily and cause a major issue with the cable unspooling. This only has to happen to you once to realize it's a big problem!
Mianne Lift Bridge Lower Limit Switch Enhancement
Finally, here's the diagram of the stock liftgate servo system for the curious.
Mianne Lift Gate Winch Wiring Diagram
Not to steal Peter's thread but this is probably as good a place as any to ask these questions...since GRJ, Sean and others who have done this will see them. Here are the combined circuit drawings GRJ has posted:
1) When replacing the Mianne controller with the DPDT switches on each side, how are the existing up- down limit switches incorporated? I see them on the lower diagram but where are they located on the upper diagram?
2) Where was the extra cable slack limit switch incorporated?
Thanks
@hokie71 posted:Not to steal Peter's thread but this is probably as good a place as any to ask these questions...since GRJ, Sean and others who have done this will see them. Here are the combined circuit drawings GRJ has posted:
1) When replacing the Mianne controller with the DPDT switches on each side, how are the existing up- down limit switches incorporated? I see them on the lower diagram but where are they located on the upper diagram?
2) Where was the extra cable slack limit switch incorporated?
Thanks
1) They were unaffected by the change, they didn't terminate in the yellow control box.
2) From the thread on the lower limit switch enhancement...
The mounting bracked it just some 1/16" aluminum sheet that I hacked a mount out of. These two pieces mount under the lift bridge in the center where the cable slack will first be noticed. Here they are mounted in position, the switch senses the slack just as I intended.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:2) From the thread on the lower limit switch enhancement...
The mounting bracked it just some 1/16" aluminum sheet that I hacked a mount out of. These two pieces mount under the lift bridge in the center where the cable slack will first be noticed. Here they are mounted in position, the switch senses the slack just as I intended.
Sorry for being unclear, I meant electrically. Did you put the contact from it in series with the down limit switch? (Per lower arrow above.) Seems the wiring would be accessible?
Just fabulous, Pete! You are making wonderful progress - good gang of helpers. 
Meet you at the Altoona Model Works table in Orange in April? 
George
@hokie71 posted:Sorry for being unclear, I meant electrically. Did you put the contact from it in series with the down limit switch? (Per lower arrow above.) Seems the wiring would be accessible?
It replaces the lower limit switch, so it's wired to those connections. The lower limit switch is sitting bare nowadays.
Not much work accomplished today…….but, a big mail day, including a future building project…..
Peter
Peter,
My tools of choice in cutting track is my bandsaw equipped with a fine toothed metal cutting blade, a bench grinder and a couple of small hand files. Both my layouts required allot of cut track. I use a guide with the bandsaw to assure a straight cut. The blade does leave a burr that I then use a fine stoned wheel in my bench grinder to clean up. I then use small hand files for the final work. I use a small round file to open back up the end of the rails for pin installation.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I used my Harbor Freight 6" cutoff saw with the abrasive wheel that came with it for cutting track for my layout, it worked great. I think Peter has the deluxe approach with his nice saw, but for $30 I can't complain how well this worked.
Thats what I used for cutting my atlas track, worked great!
Peter, nice model. I have built several of Dennis’s kits and have enjoyed them. Where will you place that on the layout?
Andy
@Steamfan77 posted:Peter, nice model. I have built several of Dennis’s kits and have enjoyed them. Where will you place that on the layout?
Andy
Not sure where it will go......I may build it 1st and see where it fits....
Peter
Big day in the attic yesterday.......a great assist from my modular group colleagues whose engineering, electrical and woodworking skills far exceed my own....we also had a blast working together and brainstorming the next steps.....
1st, The Mianne Lift gate......
Then, the hole for the Transfer Table.......
Sawdust, sawdust, everywhere........
Done!
My grateful thanks to my modular group colleagues......
Peter
Excellent work all around Peter! The lift gate makes all the difference, wow! The transfer table looks like it’s always lived there. Well done. It’s great to have friends to help out. Two more outstanding features to add to an amazing layout.
Andy
Looking good. Talented and experienced helpers are a blessing, especially with projects such as these. Your plans are coming together nicely. The layout is going to be amazing.
Some good progress Peter. And a great group of friends.
Great progress Peter, and it's nice to have some friends to assist! 
One note, I'd make sure that the liftgate is truly leveled, they're very sensitive to any misalignment.
Finally, I refer you to two of the enhancements I made to my liftgate installation you might want to consider.
Hey Peter, I recognize some of those folks giving you a hand. Good to see teamwork solving those potential issues with just getting it done. Sawdust is no good, definitely will be more coming your way, eh?
Great progress! That's quite a team ya got there! Send them my way when you're done haha
Very Nice! Thank you for sharing!
Looks great Peter. Many hands make quick work. Nice job on both projects.
Bob
Peter, your group of friends really did a great job on both projects! Everything looks great!
@Putnam Division posted:Big day in the attic yesterday.......a great assist from my modular group colleagues whose engineering, electrical and woodworking skills far exceed my own....we also had a blast working together and brainstorming the next steps.....
1st, The Mianne Lift gate......
My grateful thanks to my modular group colleagues......
Peter
Everyone else is working and Peter is playing around with the gate. LOL!
Peter, what wonderful work you and your group have done! Then life section looks like it works great! But I have to say the transfer table is really going to be a focal point of your layout! Just amazing looking!
It is great to have a group of people with outstanding skills to be able to help you! I wish I had friends around here to help me out!
A minor milestone this week......work has been slow the past month......up and down 95 for a wedding, baby showers and, my 1st grandchild was born!.
This week, while working on a few projects simultaneously, I jury-rigged some power to my outer loop.....I'm sure no one will be surprised when they see the roadname on the 1st run.....
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the transformer, the Jefferson Electric Company is in the Chicago Metro area. They used to make transformers for pre-Gilbert Chicago Flyer. This is a pre-WWII transformer. I bought it in the Red Hall may years ago from that nice gentleman who refurbished transformers. Sadly, he passed sometime last year.
Have a great day!
Peter
Nice Peter! It's nice to see a train running on your new layout!
@Putnam Division posted:A minor milestone this week......work has been slow the past month......up and down 95 for a wedding, baby showers and, my 1st grandchild was born!.
This week, while working on a few projects simultaneously, I jury-rigged some power to my outer loop.....I'm sure no one will be surprised when they see the roadname on the 1st run.....
Peter
Congrats on the 1st grand child, Things will never be the same.
BTW - what commercial building is in the background. Looks like it is some kind of freight building. ?
@ScoutingDad posted:Congrats on the 1st grand child, Things will never be the same. You are so right!
BTW - what commercial building is in the background. Looks like it is some kind of freight building. ?
The building(s) you are referring to are from TW Trainworx......both kits were built in the 1st half of 2022 while I was waiting for the Mianne Benchwork to arrive.....
The Rock Island Freight House and the Cameron Freight Transfer Company are both fun to build. Mike Reagan does a 1 hour plus build and paint video for the Rock Island Freight House which is exceptional and taught me skills that I have transferred to other building kits.
Peter
Looks nice Peter! It is never to early to get some power out and test the track!
Congratulation on your grandchild!
Peter,
Congratulations for two happy events. The grandchild is everything and the first run on the layout is a milestone too. The layout is looking very well.
MELGAR
Peter congratulations. First grandchild… that is really special.
Train making first run. Wow, that ‘s very exciting too. Quite a week.
Congratulations Grandpa!
super congrats on the grandchild! All the more reason to get the layout running, kids love trains!
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
