I have been making various fixtures and tools over the last few years
learning the art of machining metal. I have completed several projects
including a drill grinding & a tool bit sharpening jig, an adapter
bracket to fit an old surveyor's level on my camera tripod, a punch and
die to make oblong holes in the aluminum rail for track joiners and a rail
bender. Other items include various track panel jigs.
I have recently made several new punch and dies to work in my Kick Press. These are used for making railroad parts for my outdoor railroad. The major Punch & Dies, various jigs and fixtures, drawings and photos are on the pages below..
| LINK to PAGE | DESCRIPTION |
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1: Kick Press and Punch & Dies |
Pictures of the Kick Press, Metal Shearing die. |
| P 2: Kick Press and Punch & Dies | Pictures of Rail Hole Punch & Die. |
| P 3: Kick Press and Punch & Dies | Pictures of Other Punch & Dies. |
| P 4: Turnout Building | Pictures of Track Panel and Turnout Building. |
| P 5: Jigs & Fixtures Drawings. | Drawings of Track Panel and Turnout Building Jigs. |
| P 6 Rail Bender. | Pictures and Drawings of my rail Bender |
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| P 8: |
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Jigs & Fixtures: The original punch & die (see page 6) has been retired after a long successful life. A new punch & Die has been made to operate in my Kick Press. It was designed by me to punch out two 5/16" long by 1/8" wide slots in the web of the aluminum rail for the rail joiners. The rail web thicknesses include the old Iron Pony rail with 070" web and Little Engines rail with .125 web thickness. The joiner bolts (4-40) are just nipped up so that the rail can slide back and forth for expansion. It was very hard to make though. I did stagger the punch pins and added some shear (5 degrees) lengthwise to them. I also had to add what is know as a stripper plate that holds the rail down so that when the punch is lifted up they come out of the rail. The first test without this resulted in the rail being firmly held by the two punch pins! Anyhow, it actually works and put the slots in the rail where I want them. But I don't profess to be a tool and die maker!! It also needs a lot more effort (read Force) than I thought to punch out the rail with the 1/8" web. If it works a thousand times I'll be real happy.
A rail bender has been completed and works well. It is a modified
design from the late Frank McLean. I added a gear train to keep the
fixed rollers from slipping. It has since been modified to operate in a horizontal position.
Two track assembly jigs have been made: one adjustable curved for either straight, 40 to 80 foot radius curves. A turnout jig has also been constructed and is symmetrical so it can be turned over allowing the construction of right and left hand turnouts.
Three welded steel track gauges have been completed as well as a 4 foot adjustable level, a cross level for the roadbed tilt, and a roller. The roller has had wire brushes added to help keep it clean when rolling wet dirt and gravel. I use a large mirror for lining up the roadbed. In addition, many other little jigs have been made including a rail drilling guide, a rail cutting guide, a tie plate drilling guide, a slider plate drilling guide etc etc.