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I think I did a bunch of mine (back when I had O-27 track in the early layout days) on a big paper cutter at work.  You can line them up and cut quite a few at once.  I don't remember how many strips I lined up side by side, but I know I stacked up at least two strips for each cut.  If I had five strips side-by -side with another five on top, I got ten ties with every pass.  The edges weren't much different from yours in the photo, but you can really get them done quickly.

FJ

Basil:

Apologies - It is way too late with all the great work you did. When I build bridges and trestle decks I used a naturally black wood called Wenge. This wood makes excellent looking ties. I over spray with tung oil to darken them up a little to finish up.

Only caveat is one needs a table saw to cut the wood.

Narrow Trestle Deck for O27 Track 001

 

Narrow Trestle Deck for O27 Track 003

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  • Narrow Trestle Deck for O27 Track 001
  • Narrow Trestle Deck for O27 Track 003

Basil,

   I did like you, only I had O-31 track and since the metal ties on them is black, I stayed with that theme to make them uniform. I used wood window screen framing which is easy to come by any of the box stores and is the same width as the metal ties. I used this tool to cut the wood framing 712gqcd+Q7L._SL1500_DSCF3192DSCF3745

I like Joe's Wenge wood, but I made my own trestle using the same ties. I actually like the look since the metal ties still blend in with the wood ones.

DSCF3155

Keep up the good work It will look great.

 

Rick

 

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  • DSCF3192
  • DSCF3745
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I make my ties using oak from skids. The good wood I use for new ties, and the really bad split and splintered wood I use for scrap/old ties. I use lamp black powdered dye, used to color mortar, to stain the ties, the a mist coat of water base urethane to seal. For scrap ties, I use dark walnut stain and no sealer to retain a dull worn finish. The first two photos are of new ties, and the last two are used ties. Obviously, these would not be appropriate for hand laid track, due to the density of the oak.  

Don

MOW loads 07 19 14 010MOW loads 07 19 14 009Used tie load 004old tie load 008

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Images (4)
  • MOW loads 07 19 14 010
  • MOW loads 07 19 14 009
  • Used tie load 004
  • old tie load 008

While I'm revealing my tricks, isopropyl alcohol will dissolve dried acrylic paint.

If you look very closely, you will see the effect on the piles, where I've blended the black stain upwards into the grey.

So, if you paint ties black/brown - what ever looks "right," you can improve the look by blending with IPA.

You need to rub it a bit.  (Elbow grease). 

Cheers

Last edited by MaxSouthOz
Basil posted:

Wow! Those look great!  What is your process for assembling those?  I'd like to know more about those ties, for sure.  I can always sell my ties if I make the switch.

Basil:

For trestle decks I cut two stringers at length (7/16 x 5/16). I cut ties at either 3/16 or 1/4 square. I am tending towards 3/16 as a standard. I cut dadoes into the stringers spaced at 3/8 inch centers. I have a jig into which I can place the stringers at about 2 1/4 inch outside to outside. I glue in the ties using normal wood glue.

I assemble this way to survive shipping. For home use:

1. You can eliminate the dadoes and simple glue the ties  on top of the stringers. However I don't recommend this way.

2. Sometimes a customer wants more prototypical look (three stingers under the ties). These are cut at 5/16 x 3/16.

Please note I cut all wood thicker than prototypical for various reasons.

Joe

 

When I was making tie loads for Weaver, I was making about four or five hundred at a time. I made a special narrow kerf insert for the table saw, and would cut the width using that. I made a fence for the band saw, and used it to cut the height on several pieces at one time. Then I clamped a stop on the miter saw, and cut several pieces to length at the same time. I would do this at work, on lunches and breaks. You'd be surprised how many ties one can make in half hour sessions. The key is having sharp blades on all the machinery.

I measured several old ties that I knew were very old, and used the largest dimensions as my reference to make mine. The width is just shy of 1/4", as most ties measured between 10 and 11 inches wide. For the height, I used 3/16", as my prototypes measured between 7 and 9 inches high. 

Don

 

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