QUOTE (bigbird @ 30 Aug 2011, 21:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>hi
couple of quick question for all you experienced track routers out there,Does the diameter of the cutter need to be 3mm and what is a good make of self adhesive copper tape to use,i willl be powering the digital flippers by of board psu method.
I'm currently making my [first] wooden circuit - I'm using a 1100w router (from Argos, but it seems ok!) with a 3.2mm router bit (£9 from B&Q).
Lowest power setting and ease it gently along - seems to work.
It's not finished routing yet, but so far my 'test car', when pushed gently with 'finger power', doesn't seem to have any problems with the width.
I'm sure you are aware, but MDF dust is not healthy, so get a good extract system for the dust and wear a mouth mask/filter.
As for copper tape, when I copper taped my plastitrack, I used 3/16 Venture tape from:
http://www.trinitystainedglass.co.uk/copper-foil.asp
Used the track regularly for 2 years and never had a problem with it, tape wise. One or two joins were problematic (elvation changes giving stress tears), but applying a couple of extra strips over the join cured it.
Tape is supplied in rolls of 100yds
For this track, I've ordered 7/32.
It's not carbon backed (conductive) so with any overlays (i.e. breakages) when laying on my plastitrack, I made small cuts in the tape along the join and burnished well.
N.B. Trinity Glass will not accept a credit card mail order; cheque only so allow for the delay this will cause.
Hope this helps.
... and yes, routing freehand is really not a good idea unless you want your straights and curvy bits to have wobbles in them.
If anyone can suggest a good paint to use, I'd be all ears.
couple of quick question for all you experienced track routers out there,Does the diameter of the cutter need to be 3mm and what is a good make of self adhesive copper tape to use,i willl be powering the digital flippers by of board psu method.
I'm currently making my [first] wooden circuit - I'm using a 1100w router (from Argos, but it seems ok!) with a 3.2mm router bit (£9 from B&Q).
Lowest power setting and ease it gently along - seems to work.
It's not finished routing yet, but so far my 'test car', when pushed gently with 'finger power', doesn't seem to have any problems with the width.
I'm sure you are aware, but MDF dust is not healthy, so get a good extract system for the dust and wear a mouth mask/filter.
As for copper tape, when I copper taped my plastitrack, I used 3/16 Venture tape from:
http://www.trinitystainedglass.co.uk/copper-foil.asp
Used the track regularly for 2 years and never had a problem with it, tape wise. One or two joins were problematic (elvation changes giving stress tears), but applying a couple of extra strips over the join cured it.
Tape is supplied in rolls of 100yds
For this track, I've ordered 7/32.
It's not carbon backed (conductive) so with any overlays (i.e. breakages) when laying on my plastitrack, I made small cuts in the tape along the join and burnished well.
N.B. Trinity Glass will not accept a credit card mail order; cheque only so allow for the delay this will cause.
Hope this helps.
... and yes, routing freehand is really not a good idea unless you want your straights and curvy bits to have wobbles in them.
If anyone can suggest a good paint to use, I'd be all ears.
