Bill-
No, I'm back at work, vacation is over, but I'll take a quick coffee break and comment on FastTracks. Disclaimer: despite Bill's kind words, I am not a track expert. The sum total of my lifetime hours of experience with hand laying track is probably less than 100 hours or so; many others are far, far more expert at this topic. In fact, it is because I am a relative novice and I needed 24 turnouts for my layout that I decided to invest in a FastTracks code 100 #6 jig. I was hoping the jig could help me develop a better skill level with less investment of time. I have built 12 turnouts so far and I can now produce a very good turnout in an hour if I concentrate and I do a careful job. Using the point/frog forming tool really makes for perfect frogs and super tapered points. Even if you just want to hand lay track, I would recommend purchasing this point/frog forming tool. A good mill file can make very fast work of filing the rail to the correct profile. However, I really like the comfort of building my turnouts at the workbench so I enjoy using the turnout jig - my aching, arthritic back REALLY loves it. The FastTracks jig works well and keeps everything perfectly aligned. I prestain the laser cut QuickSticks ties using cheap acrylic craft paint and use Pliobond to glue the completed turnout assembly to the ties. I clamp that up overnight to let the Pliobond do its work and the next day the turnout is ready to install. QuickSticks can also come with spike holes laser cut so spiking can be done, too, with ease. I have also experimented with Plastruct styrene to make a turnout tie spacing jig so I can use regular wood ties and, like using QuickSticks, build the turnout complete with ties right on the workbench. I install the turnout, along with Tomalco flex, using Aleen's Tacky glue which dries clear and very flexible. I then spray paint the turnout and trackwork in place. After coating the tops of the rail with sewing machine oil to prevent the paint from sticking, a quick spray of Krylon brown colored paint with dustings here and there of rust, gray and black paint makes the PC board ties blend in nicely with the wood ties. You have to look very close to see the PC ties. I can go back later and highlight just the sides of the rail with a brush. I have just started ballasting some completed trackwork and it is a chore - I should have opted for a real stone ballast rather than Woodland Scenics which can float out of place-- but the overall look is nice so far and will look better when I weather the ballast a bit. Now, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, I mean, testing. Rolling a truck through the turnout when it is still on the workbench is one thing, actually running something more than an SHS SW-1 and throwing the turnouts in extended op sessions - some time soon hopefully -- will tell me more about how successful I am using this jig. I think, though, if I do have problems, it won't be due to the jig. Like any good tool, it is only as good as the hand that holds it. This is the very first time I have use all of the methods described above. If my layout is a success, I will be lucky enough to have stumbled upon some methods that work for me. Stan Furmanak Annville, PA ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 9:17 AM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Fasttrak jigs Really didn't want to get into this, but Stan Furmanak must still be on vacation. Stan purchased the complete # 6 Fasttraks kit. Everything! Stan is laying his track, building his switches and I'm saying it is excellent craftsmanship. He can build a # 6 in 50 minutes. He bought all the accessories, the jigs, Laser cut ties, et al, and the completed turnout is beautiful. Stan, can [should] give testimonials on the fasttrak kits. I'm currently trying to decide if I want to invest in the product, or simply buy [switches] turnouts, as I don't have the patience to hand build them anymore. Tsk! Tsk! I believe it comes down to this ... If you are a good craftsman, buy the Fasttraks jigs it will pay off in the long run. Perhaps there is a good craftsman in your group? Perhaps your club or group could buy all the different Fasttrak kits and use them? Otherwise, If your really not a craftsman, if you just like to lay your flex track rail and run your trains, don't buy the Kit. There is no shame in saying your not up to it, most of us aren't that good at building all the aspects of model railroading that we need to be, that is why most of us simply buy it, and run our trains. Happy Modeling to you, "S"ee Ya in Baltimore, Bill Fraley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! 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