A cheap ballast spreader

[ezdays]

As you can see in this picture, I'm starting to ballast my tracks. I got this jar at the 99 cent store, for...yeah, 99 cents. I don't exactly know what it's supposed to be used for, maybe a sugar dispenser, but it sure makes a neat ballast speader.:thumb:

 

[TruckLover]

Cool Idea EZ:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Maybe I look for one too.

 

[Thoroughbreed]

I use thread dipped in super glue to simulate air hoses and mu hoses. Works real good and cheap too.
Maybe we can start a thread of cheap to use items for the hobby?
Still looking for the best way to make a Nathan 5 chime horn, any suggestions? I hate the Detail Associates kits made from Delrin, too hard to put together.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

Still looking for the best way to make a Nathan 5 chime horn, any suggestions? I hate the Detail Associates kits made from Delrin, too hard to put together.

I think someone makes a brass casting of the Nathan 5 chime horn set, maybe Precision Scale?

 

[Play-Doh]

Very cool! Sure beats my spoon dipped in the container method!

 

[doctorwayne]

I use a paper (Dixie) cup and a soft 3/4" brush for spreading ballast. The small paper cups are useful for applying ground foam, too, and they're also great for mixing up small amounts of different colours and sizes of ballast for making roadways, driveways and parking lots. I also use them for loading loose coal and gravel loads in hoppers and gondolas, and for filling the coal bunkers of steam locos: just give the rim of the cup a little squeeze and you've got a pouring spout.:thumb:

Wayne

 

[Relic]

re your air horn quest, being terminaly poor I make a lot of stuff other folks take for granted .I made some 3 chime horns with a file and bits of plastic tree {the things model parts come fastened to}

 

[trainnut65]

that looks like a great idea you have there Ezdays. If i see one in a store i am going to buy it just to try out. Thanks for the tip

 

[MasonJar]

Don't forget that we have an entire forum dedicated to "Tips & Tricks":

http://www.the-gauge.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48

Andrew

 

[josh0351]

As you can see in this picture, I'm starting to ballast my tracks. I got this jar at the 99 cent store, for...yeah, 99 cents. I don't exactly know what it's supposed to be used for, maybe a sugar dispenser, but it sure makes a neat ballast speader.:thumb:

Good scoop, EZDAYS (no pun intended ). Will have to keep an eye out for that type of jar/dispenser. You should buy a lot of them and open up an ebay store selling them for $2.50 each!

 

[ezdays]

Good scoop, EZDAYS (no pun intended ). Will have to keep an eye out for that type of jar/dispenser. You should buy a lot of them and open up an ebay store selling them for $2.50 each!

We went to the 99 cent store again yesterday. I found one....just one left. I'll have to check out another store that's a way's away, but now I have two...:thumb: :thumb:

 

[60103]

Don: that's a sugar dispenser. It should be rigged to pour one teaspoon each time it's inverted.