Bob McCown said:I gotta agree......one of the BEST $65 I've spent and I've been handlaying track for 15 odd years now!
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!
Hey Bob,
Can you measure those 3 point track gauge’s and send me a drawing. I’m going to see if I can make some of those items on my CNC router. What kind of material are those made out of? I’m thinking aluminum or a very mild steel. Where would I find the dimensions for the proper gaging of the track.
I know the ones you have are for code 250, but I’m going to make these for code 332. The switch template looks great and so do the switches.
Chuck
Hey Bob,
Never mind, I found that I can buy the three point track gages for code 332 from California & Oregon Coast Railway at www.cocry.com for 19.95 ea. Much better than trying to machine something. The material cost alone would be more not to mention the design and run time.
BTW they also have some great close-out sales. I bought an Accucraft Fn3 C&S Flat Car for $36.00. Thats below dealer cost.
Thanks, Chuck
Chuck is he back up and running. The last I heard he was giving it a miss for awhile. Lets know how you go as I wan]t to get some code 332 frogs.
Bob
These are 1/4" thick aluminum with 3/32" SS pegs to align the rails. Pretty nifty, actually.
Where can the track spiker tool be purchased?
Wow. I just built a switch using the spiker tool and the jig. I am amazed at how well the spiker works and how quickly one can put in 2 spikes on each side of the rail. Before this, spiking had been a real chore and it was a pain for me to get spikes into the ties with out bending them, or having them twist as I put them in. Now, I can easily get near perfect results.
I have never had an issue spiking and get spiked almost every night? Sorry to hear spiking was so difficult before the spiker.
Rooster don’t need no stinking spiker
Uhhh Rooster, I don’t think that is the kind of spiking that Bruce is talking about. Remember, he is a gentleman, not like you and I. :lol:
LOL!
Looking good!
p.s. Can we try and keep at least ONE thread on topic, please?
Bruce Chandler said:
Wow. I just built a switch using the spiker tool and the jig. I am amazed at how well the spiker works and how quickly one can put in 2 spikes on each side of the rail. Before this, spiking had been a real chore and it was a pain for me to get spikes into the ties with out bending them, or having them twist as I put them in. Now, I can easily get near perfect results.
Same here! I just got done a 3-way stub and found it didn’t need a base to hold it together. Well, maybe a little one since a stub comes in 2 pieces…went pretty quick too. Now all a I gotta figure out is what to use as a ground throw…
Bob McCown said:
Looking good!p.s. Can we try and keep at least ONE thread on topic, please?
Why would we wanna do that?
Sorry …I’ll go to my corner!
A test fit of the new switch…
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/Hesperus/3way02.jpg)
The empty spot will eventually have a lumber mill, a log pond, plus a runaround siding, and one up to the log pond.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/Hesperus/3way01.jpg)
Very cool 3 way!
Bruce Chandler said:
Wow. I just built a switch using the spiker tool and the jig. I am amazed at how well the spiker works and how quickly one can put in 2 spikes on each side of the rail. Before this, spiking had been a real chore and it was a pain for me to get spikes into the ties with out bending them, or having them twist as I put them in. Now, I can easily get near perfect results.
Toldja!
Bart Salmons said:How many times ??
Toldja!
Bob McCown said:
Looking good!p.s. Can we try and keep at least ONE thread on topic, please?
Bob, we are now on the third page. As per agreement, this thread is ripe for jacking.
Spiking tool sounds like a handy tool, what is the brand name, and where can one find one?