Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi,

While still trying to finally decide on base board sizes; to move a little manufacturing progress I started to cut some 3 mm plywood into sleepers.  The sleepers are 12.5 mm wide (1/2”) and 72 mm long (2.3/4”) an inexpensive circular saw was used to cut the plywood to width.  I was very fortunate with the supply of the plywood I was visiting our local builders supply to get some paint; while walking around I found a sheet of damaged 3 mm plywood I thought that the thinnest that they stocked was 6 mm.  I looked to see if there was a shelf for 3 mm plywood and there wasn’t so I took it to the checkout and asked if I could buy this damaged one; they said no!  I could have it for free, it was just packing that hadn’t been cleared away which had been used for other wooden products.  There was a label which I hadn’t noticed on its other side.  So, I have a sheet of 2440 mm (8’) long by 380 mm (15”) wide 3 mm birch plywood for gratis!  You have to win occasionally.

An 800 mm (31.1/2”) length was cut which will allow 10 sleepers to be cut from each 12.5 mm width sawn.  From the 380 mm width enough lengths were cut to produce 240 sleepers or enough for 10 yards of track.  As I cut a lot of thin wood the fence of the saw table has been modified having an adjustable strip that holds the wood down while being cut.  It will need a lot more than 240 sleepers for the layout, but this is enough for a start.  Cutting and drilling jigs need to be made which will have to wait until we return home.  Winterbourne Show first!
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Regards Tony.