So did I miss understand from a few pages back that the JB weld on the targets doesn’t hold over a summer or two? Looks like a cool project, one more to add to my list, as soon as someone can interpet all the foriegn language and computer stuff. Maybe for simple minds like mine , just wire them up to work and show a color will be enough. Thanks Bob
Was the use of JB Weld outside? JB Weld is an epoxy and may be subject to UV breakdown. Simple latex paint will give protection.
That’s odd. I made a switch frog out of JB Quick, the quick setting version of JB Weld. But then my switch is in shade and partial sun.
Pete Lassen said:
So did I miss understand from a few pages back that the JB weld on the targets doesn’t hold over a summer or two? Looks like a cool project, one more to add to my list, as soon as someone can interpet all the foriegn language and computer stuff. Maybe for simple minds like mine , just wire them up to work and show a color will be enough. Thanks Bob
No, I’ve had a test signal mast outside for about a year and so far no problems…
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Epoxy like JB Weld will hold much better if the surfaces being glued are roughened first with sand paper. Sheet metal or plastics are usually very smooth leaving little “tooth” for the epoxy to grab. Thermal expansion can easily flake the epoxy free from smooth surfaces.
UV should have little effect on JB Weld beyond its surface finish because it has opaque fillers which would stop the UV rays from penetrating. Clear epoxies like i use on my wooden boats will break down due to UV without a UV resistant coating.
Another small update. Signal ready for installation, protecting the entry to Burke yard from Williamsport. The base will get painted, and buried under the ballast.
Problem I have is that you can’t really see the green and the red is really hard to see during the day in the sunlight.
Todd, so maybe you need to use semaphores.
While very cool, I don’t believe that semaphores would be reliable, long term, in the garden setting nor do most lay-people really pay attention to that sort of thing.
90 percent of my signals wont be facing direct sun; I havent seen an issue yet, at least with the ones out on the layout already. And if it becomes an issue, there are high-intensity LEDs available.
Bob,
sounds like we will be under signal rules for trainopps?
Al P.
Great! And what about the poor folks who are colour blind, or extremely myopic?
David Maynard said:
Great! And what about the poor folks who are colour blind, or extremely myopic?
They become instructors.
Ah, those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. And those who cant teach, teach gym.
I gotcha.
David Maynard said:
Ah, those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. And those who cant teach, teach gym.
I gotcha.
When I was an instructor, we had folks come in and “teach” us how to become better instructors. So, our version was: “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach; and those who cant teach, teach the teachers.”
Al Pomeroy said:
Bob,
sounds like we will be under signal rules for trainopps?
Al P.
Not this year, but ‘eventually’. There’s still lots to do, but this year I’ll be collecting some data behind the scenes to get a feel for how the system will work. Last year we had some signals at Burke, and I discovered a couple of oddities.
Bob McCown said:
Al Pomeroy said:
Bob,
sounds like we will be under signal rules for trainopps?
Al P.
Not this year, but ‘eventually’. There’s still lots to do, but this year I’ll be collecting some data behind the scenes to get a feel for how the system will work. Last year we had some signals at Burke, and I discovered a couple of oddities.
Odditiy? So that’s what I am now??? Sheesh.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Bob, maybe you need to brush up on your boolean algebra.
Been working on some more signaling prototypes. This one a 3d-printed Norfork and Western-ish position light signal. Two-piece signal head, that will mount on a 3/8" post.
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And from the back.
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