I showed the preliminary jig at York, and today I finally finished the bits to align the rails solidly. Here’s an overview of the stock rail alignment bit.
Its secured by thumbscrews, and a blind nut below
Here’s the diverging rail bit
Once the stock and diverging rails are spiked down, the rest of the rails and frog are aligned using standard trackbuilding jigs
some closeups
Cool.
What did you make the alignment bits out of? Got any extra? 
And, if you want to make a RH switch?
The stock rail one is some 3/4 x 16 gauge steel bar I got at the hardware store. The diverging rail one is a piece of 1/8 aluminum sheet stock I had, cut to shape.
If I want to make a RH, I flip the diverging rail bit over and build the switch from L-R instead of R-L. I’ll take pics when I do a RHer.
Also note that I routed down the tie spacers. With them higher, I had a switch get ‘stuck’ in the jig. Lower, thats not an issue, and the ties still align.
Sweet…they them composite ties?
Yep. The Switchcrafter’s ties. Good stuff
Nifty looking setup, Bob…
Great minds think alike, Bob, I’m building a similar device. My eyes must be on the fritz, as all I see here are some metal bits somewhat reminiscent of Picasso. How do these metal pieces help guide the building process?
Steve Featherkile said:
Great minds think alike, Bob, I’m building a similar device. My eyes must be on the fritz, as all I see here are some metal bits somewhat reminiscent of Picasso. How do these metal pieces help guide the building process?
Hey Steve, those are three point trackgauges to keep the proper gauge once the stockrails are nailed down.
Bob Its looking great. Once your done I could use a few lefts and rights as well. Could you build some extras? 
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Steve Featherkile said:
Great minds think alike, Bob, I’m building a similar device. My eyes must be on the fritz, as all I see here are some metal bits somewhat reminiscent of Picasso. How do these metal pieces help guide the building process?Hey Steve, those are three point trackgauges to keep the proper gauge once the stockrails are nailed down.
Thanks, HJ, now it makes sense. I guess I can build those, eh?
Yeah they’re easy to do. I did some for HOm, but 45mm is large enough to work to the paper template, the standard track gauge and eyeballing for straightness. Plus/Minus 0.004". Most or some times. 
Hey Bob,
Nice template’s and jig. I really like seeing that “Spiker Tool” sitting right next to your switch. How’s that tool working out for you? Good I hope.
Where can one find those track gauges for code 332? I haven’t seen any around. I had plenty of them when I was in HO.
How do you form your “Frogs”?
Chuck
The spiker is one of the niftiest tools Ive ever used. If it would auto-load spikes, I think I’d marry it. I have no desire to go back to the old way of spiking. Ive even use the large spikes into the cedar ties for my bridges. Good stuff.
I got those track gauges ages ago in an ebay deal. I seem to recall those were old Sunset Valley ones? But Im not sure. There are no markings on them.
Those frogs are purchased from Llagas, but I intend on making a mold of one (a’la Bart) and casting my own.
Looks great Bob. It probably would not be too hard to make a three point gauge so long as one has the ability to do precision drilling. A piece of aluminum, drilled and tapped where the pegs should be, then short machine screws from the top, protruding out the bottom to be the pegs.
For those confused as to how to make a RH switch using this jig.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/bob_mccown/Jig/righthand6.jpg)
Compare to the LH setup
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/bob_mccown/Jig/diverging.jpg)
I just flipped the diverging rail bar over
Good one, Bob 
And here I thought you were going to flip it upside down.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:Only in Australia.
Good one, Bob :/ And here I thought you were going to flip it upside down. :D :D
Dear All,
Bob McCown said:
“The spiker is one of the niftiest tools Ive ever used. If it would auto-load spikes, I think I’d marry it.”
Easily the best quote of the year.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
All y’all might think I’m nuts, but I truly believe that the Spiker is one of the neatest tools I’ve ever used. It works as advertised. I have my “parts to switch” time down to about 30 minutes, and that’s with some fiddling around to get the frog in the right place. If you hand lay your own track, or at least your switches, it will change your life. It’s amazing!
