Radius of an arc or segment
Radius of an arc or segment
Anyone have a chart for laying out curve track that I can reference for bending rail? I would be for a 1" scale layout. Or point me to one on the internet
Thanks
Thanks
Christopher P. Mahony
Los Angeles Live Steamers
1 inch scale member
Los Angeles Live Steamers
1 inch scale member
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
I ended up drawing some examples in CAD and then had a router guide for turnouts laser cut which can double as a 40' radius gage, I couldn't find anything online but maybe I wasn't using the right terms when I was google searching.
- makinsmoke
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Re: Radius of an arc or segment
When I put my track in Ponca City I needed to bend rail. I laid a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood in the yard, took my 50 Ft tape, found my center point and made a 35 foot radius arc. I moved the plywood so it was under the tape/arc, and marked the plywood with a Sharpie.
I set the plywood on horses, and bent the rail to match my Sharpie line. I had an old wire rope reel and used one side, hand bending the rail every six inches and constabtly checking against my gauge.
Yeah, it’s caveman railroading but it got the job done.
I set the plywood on horses, and bent the rail to match my Sharpie line. I had an old wire rope reel and used one side, hand bending the rail every six inches and constabtly checking against my gauge.
Yeah, it’s caveman railroading but it got the job done.
-
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Re: Radius of an arc or segment
Somewhere on line I found a simple formula to measure (establish) the radius of a curve, by determining the height of the chord between two designated points on an arc. Alter the cord length to change then radius.
Of course now I can’t remember where I found this. Try googling how to determine radius from chord length, of some such...
Glenn
Of course now I can’t remember where I found this. Try googling how to determine radius from chord length, of some such...
Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum
Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge
Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge
Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
google 1728,choose geometry, then plane geometry then circle calculator. Many other sites, of course; this one is good
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
From a 1960s era Engineering Handbook produced by Railroad Supply:
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Product Development and E-Commerce, Allen Models of Nevada
Product Development and E-Commerce, Allen Models of Nevada
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
Thank you for posting the chart. I've been looking for this information since, like, forever!
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
- makinsmoke
- Posts: 2260
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:56 pm
- Location: Texas Hill Country
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
That book is still for sale by Railroad Supply.
You should get a copy. They are handy,
You should get a copy. They are handy,
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
On this topic, let me ask: Is there a recommended technique for hand-bending rail? I suspect that clamping in a vise and forcing will likely result in a
tight bend at the edge of the vise and an otherwise straight section.
I purchased a disassembled layout a few years ago, and have been able to select usable bent rails from the collection, but I am now down to the point that I have to modify (i.e. tighten) some of the bends to fit my layout. This is aluminum west coast rail.
- Bill F
tight bend at the edge of the vise and an otherwise straight section.
I purchased a disassembled layout a few years ago, and have been able to select usable bent rails from the collection, but I am now down to the point that I have to modify (i.e. tighten) some of the bends to fit my layout. This is aluminum west coast rail.
- Bill F
- Bill Shields
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- Contact:
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
make yourself a rail roller / bender....the same RRSC book has a quickie design for one.
you will never be sorry you have it...
I am sure that even from some pictures you can Jinn one up...
you will never be sorry you have it...
I am sure that even from some pictures you can Jinn one up...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: Radius of an arc or segment
THANK YOU HARLOCK!!!!!
Christopher P. Mahony
Los Angeles Live Steamers
1 inch scale member
Los Angeles Live Steamers
1 inch scale member