Kitty litter as ballast?
John
as ballast. The thought struck me as I was cleaning out the kittens'
litter box after an evening of working on my layout. I did some
searches on deja.com (which is a great resource), and I coudn't find
anything definitevely good or bad about using scoopable kitty litter.
Here's what I know -
Kitty litter is made of clay.
It absorbs moisture.
When it gets wet, it sticks together.
It's grey.
The stuff I am using now has green flecks (can probably be sieved out).
It's pretty fine, and I would plan to sieve it through an old window
screen to get the right size.
I don't have too much money.
I have a 4x8 layout in N Scale.
My layout is in an unheated (I will be using a kerosene heater when I'm
out there), not very weathertight, detached garage, with the occasional
chipmunk scurrying across the floor.
I have been experimenting with natural materials for scenery, due to my
low funding situation. I scooped a few pounds of sand/silt from a
drainage channel near our house, but the material is reddish/brown, so
it may be useful for other stuff, but I can probably find some grey silt
somewhere, or I may just go to a quarry and ask for some dust from the
crusher... Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help,
John Hawkins
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Mike Barron
(sieved) for ballast. However, It even looked a little too big for HO,
and might not look realistic in N scale. No problems other than that,
however.
John <jwh...@psu.edu> wrote in message news:7tl0ac$m7r$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I have been trying to find out the pros and cons of using kitty litter
> as ballast. The thought struck me as I was cleaning out the kittens'
> litter box after an evening of working on my layout. I did some
> searches on deja.com (which is a great resource), and I coudn't find
> anything definitevely good or bad about using scoopable kitty litter.
>
> Here's what I know -
> Kitty litter is made of clay.
> It absorbs moisture.
> When it gets wet, it sticks together.
> It's grey.
> The stuff I am using now has green flecks (can probably be sieved out).
> It's pretty fine, and I would plan to sieve it through an old window
> screen to get the right size.
> I don't have too much money.
> I have a 4x8 layout in N Scale.
>
(snip)
Demetre Argiro
>
> I have been trying to find out the pros and cons of using kitty litter
DON'T!
You will regret it long after you have torn out the track and rebuilt your layout.
Clay has too many caveats to even begin to list, not the least of which you
yourself pointed out; that it absorbs moisture. In the environment you
describe it would be a disaster.
The best choice for ballast is- ballast, e.g. stone. You can buy it from
Woodland Scenics as well as a variety of other sources. Go out in the yard
and dig it up out of the ground. Wash the dirt and topsoil out and save the
coarse sand left behind. Size it using a tea strainer or other wire mesh that
suits your eye. You can't get any less expensive than that. Pet stores that
have aquarium supplies may also be a source of cheap ballast. Just remember
to wash it well before installing it. Nurseries and landscape supply outlets
are good sources for sand and gravel of all sizes and colors. I'm sure you
will think of some others as well.
One popular way to fix the ballast to the roadbed is to make a solution of 60%
water and 40% yellow wood glue (aliphatic resin) to which a few drops of
dishwashing liquid has been added. The dishwashing liquid acts as a wetting
agent (surfactant) so that the solution is absorbed into the ballast medium
rather than balling up on top due to surface tension. Place the ballast and
shape it to suit then spray the glue on it using a cheap spray bottle that you
can pick up at the supermarket. Try a few test pieces first until you develop
a technique that works for you. After the glue has set polish the tops of the
rails and you are ready to run.
David Weir
I love cats (have one now), but if he is mad at me (not enought attention,
paying too much attention to the hobbies like the train set) he makes it
very clear to me by leaving a smelly deposit directly underneath my chair in
the hobby room. Very to the point. If I put kitty litter on my track,
.....
John <jwh...@psu.edu> wrote in message news:7tl0ac$m7r$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I have been trying to find out the pros and cons of using kitty litter
> as ballast. The thought struck me as I was cleaning out the kittens'
> litter box after an evening of working on my layout. I did some
> searches on deja.com (which is a great resource), and I coudn't find
> anything definitevely good or bad about using scoopable kitty litter.
>
> Here's what I know -
> Kitty litter is made of clay.
> It absorbs moisture.
> When it gets wet, it sticks together.
> It's grey.
> The stuff I am using now has green flecks (can probably be sieved out).
> It's pretty fine, and I would plan to sieve it through an old window
> screen to get the right size.
> I don't have too much money.
> I have a 4x8 layout in N Scale.
>
HO RR fan
cat........and it is a bit oversized for HO......HO_RR_fan
Evert Claesson
As ballast it looks great but the cat turds keep derailing my trains....<G>
Douglas E. Menke
A model railroad club in Springfield, IL tried this once. They spend a
large portion of the time cleaning clay dust out of the gears of the
locos. It is almost impossible to seal properly.
Do yourself a favor and save up to buy real ballast. It pays off in the
long run.
Doug
Semjase
>From: dou...@cait.wiu.edu (Douglas E. Menke)
>Date: Fri, 08 October 1999 02:50 PM EDT
>Message-id: <douglas-0810...@ip203-14.wiu.edu>
great. It readily accepts glue but be sure to buy the cheap kind because that
works best, not the clumping sorts. Has a pleasing natural look
S.
Peter King
(The particular sand came from Atlantic City, but this was before the
casinos.) You can add a surprising amount of sand before it's noticable,
I believe I mixed up to 3 parts ballast to 1 part sand.
Peter King in NY
Bill Hoshiko
If you use sand, run a magnet through it to see if it contains iron.
If iron is present it can be attracted to your motors and ruin them.
It will also make your KD magnets look like they are growing hair.
A lot of beach sand contain iron.
Bill
Bruce E. Wilson
Peter King <fsh...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:37FE5F63...@prodigy.net...
> I have successfully 'cut' Woodland Scenics ballast with very fine sand.
> (The particular sand came from Atlantic City, but this was before the
> casinos.) You can add a surprising amount of sand before it's noticable,
> I believe I mixed up to 3 parts ballast to 1 part sand.
>
> Peter King in NY
I was able to acquire a large amount of shot sand (used for sand blasting
metal before painting) which is almost pure silica. I have blended it with
regular commercial ballast and also with "dug up homespun" kind from my
neighborhood. All is sifted and thoroughly washed. This blend has worked
very well for several years with no noticeable contamination of rolling
stock and engines. As a result, I'll be able to ballast from now on with no
additional expense. I'm starting my third layout (15' x 25' around the walls
shelf) and I should have about 35 or 40 pounds left when I finish. I plan to
vary the formula slightly every so often to give a variety to the color and
texture. In response to the original post, I wouldn't try kitty litter,
either.
Alfred K.Neilson
"Bruce E. Wilson" (bewi...@wirefire.com) writes:
>
> I was able to acquire a large amount of shot sand (used for sand blasting
> metal before painting) which is almost pure silica. I have blended it with
> regular commercial ballast and also with "dug up homespun" kind from my
> neighborhood. All is sifted and thoroughly washed. This blend has worked
> very well for several years with no noticeable contamination of rolling
> stock and engines. As a result, I'll be able to ballast from now on with no
> additional expense. I'm starting my third layout (15' x 25' around the walls
> shelf) and I should have about 35 or 40 pounds left when I finish. I plan to
> vary the formula slightly every so often to give a variety to the color and
> texture. In response to the original post, I wouldn't try kitty litter,
> either.
I model in HO and found that canary gravel or finch gravel is excellent
for ballast. Its all clean and uniform and looks just right to my eye.
Also if you can get some black silica sand from a local sandblasting
outfit, it will simulate coal for your hoppers.
Al in Ottawa Canada
--
/~~~~~~~~~~~~* *~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ /~~~~~~~~~~~~* >@)^=< Tight Lines)
Fly Fishermen do it in the Water!!
Al (The Whip Finisher) Neilson ag...@Freenet.carleton.ca
Ottawa, Ontario Canada -- Smallmouth Bass Country
TOM
>
> "Bruce E. Wilson" (bewi...@wirefire.com) writes:
> >
> > I was able to acquire a large amount of shot sand (used for sand blasting
> > metal before painting) which is almost pure silica. I have blended it with
> > regular commercial ballast and also with "dug up homespun" kind from my
> > neighborhood. All is sifted and thoroughly washed. This blend has worked
> > very well for several years with no noticeable contamination of rolling
> > stock and engines. As a result, I'll be able to ballast from now on with no
> > additional expense. I'm starting my third layout (15' x 25' around the walls
> > shelf) and I should have about 35 or 40 pounds left when I finish. I plan to
> > vary the formula slightly every so often to give a variety to the color and
> > texture. In response to the original post, I wouldn't try kitty litter,
> > either.
>
> I model in HO and found that canary gravel or finch gravel is excellent
> for ballast. Its all clean and uniform and looks just right to my eye.
> Also if you can get some black silica sand from a local sandblasting
> outfit, it will simulate coal for your hoppers.
>
> Al in Ottawa Canada
> --
Great tips!
Something I have donw in the past is to fill an eyedropper with my India
Ink/Windshield Washer fluid mix and dribble it along the center of the
tracks, concentrating more in yards and on grades, to simulate the oil
and other fluids that are discharged from locomotives, steam or diesel.
Take a look at the ballast on your favorite prototype, you'll see what I
mean.
This dark, oily stain is similar to what you see on a road where it
climbs a hill, probably from trucks as they heat up from climbing the
grade, and dirt/oil deposits fall off the engine. Sometimes you will see
the same thing on the level where there's a dip in the road.
<><><> TOM <><><>
-----------------
Steve Hoskins
We have three adults cats and use "Exquisicat" brand blue-label extra
strength clumping litter. No odor, super clumping properties. And no
green flecks to sift out. Nothing but grey sand that sticks like the
dickens when wet. (Don't EVER flush this stuff down the crapper.....)
Bruce E. Wilson
> for ballast. Its all clean and uniform and looks just right to my eye.
> Also if you can get some black silica sand from a local sandblasting
> outfit, it will simulate coal for your hoppers.
>
> Al in Ottawa Canada
> --
> Fly Fishermen do it in the Water!!
> Al (The Whip Finisher) Neilson ag...@Freenet.carleton.ca
> Ottawa, Ontario Canada -- Smallmouth Bass Country
Mark K Vallevand
Diamond Grit or something like that. Its non-metallic, can be screened
to different sizes, and has a nice color. Just don't get caught by the local
gendarme shoveling the stuff into sacks at midnight.
--
Regards.
Mark K Vallevand mar...@rsvl.unisys.com
(c)"Only madmen and English Bulldogs..."
.
Roy Wilke
K.Neilson) wrote:
>
>"Bruce E. Wilson" (bewi...@wirefire.com) writes:
>>
>> I was able to acquire a large amount of shot sand (used for sand blasting
>> metal before painting) which is almost pure silica. I have blended it with
>> regular commercial ballast and also with "dug up homespun" kind from my
>> neighborhood. All is sifted and thoroughly washed. This blend has worked
>> very well for several years with no noticeable contamination of rolling
>> stock and engines. As a result, I'll be able to ballast from now on with no
>> additional expense. I'm starting my third layout (15' x 25' around the walls
>> shelf) and I should have about 35 or 40 pounds left when I finish. I plan to
>> vary the formula slightly every so often to give a variety to the color and
>> texture. In response to the original post, I wouldn't try kitty litter,
>> either.
>
>I model in HO and found that canary gravel or finch gravel is excellent
>for ballast. Its all clean and uniform and looks just right to my eye.
>Also if you can get some black silica sand from a local sandblasting
>outfit, it will simulate coal for your hoppers.
There is no such thing as "black" silica sand. I think you're thinking
about rutile.
Alfred K.Neilson
Roy Wilke (royboy-[3891]-@bit.net.au) writes:
>>I model in HO and found that canary gravel or finch gravel is excellent
>>for ballast. Its all clean and uniform and looks just right to my eye.
>>Also if you can get some black silica sand from a local sandblasting
>>outfit, it will simulate coal for your hoppers.
>
> There is no such thing as "black" silica sand. I think you're thinking
> about rutile.
The supply I have, came from a sandblasting outfit (actually reclaimed
from the ground where they were working)---I assumed it was some sort of
silica based product---anyway, whatever its called, it looks nice. Thank
you for the semantic edification.
Philip Baggley
made some wagon loads with it but quickly banished it when commentaters
started sniggering.
I use crushed slag from the local slag bank. They made Iron & Steel around
these parts for 100 years so they don't mind me taking a bucketful.
I crush the slag with a 2lb hammer, sweep it up into a tub then sieve it
with a coarse mesh into a second tub.
Pass the contents of the second tub through a very fine sieve (small baking
flour sieve) separate the dust from the coarser chippings.
Only use the chippings. If you don't separate the dust it inhibits the
"wetted" dilute glue when you are securing the ballast. Later, when it
dries, the ballast is smooth with no texture.
You can use the collected dust to sieve over structures that have been given
a thick coat of latex paint and it makes a very nice decorative stucco
finish. Someone I know used pepper to achieve the same effect.
When you crush slag it yields a variety of colours which is much more
appealing than some of the monotone commercial ballasts. I'm not knocking
commercial ballast, I just prefer my own home made.
Check out Calypso Yard in March 1997 Railmodel Journal. (apologies - some of
the pics are black and white).
Don't let anyone see you making ballast :-))
Baggers
Mark Lanctot
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, about an hour from me.
In fact, CN and CP tracks in the area are ballasted with slag. Must not be
very good though, they've been topping it with grey gravel recently.
Philip Baggley <philip....@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:7u2fhp$1jm$2...@nclient11-gui.server.virgin.net...
Charles A Davis
>
> There's a free 1200-year supply of slag in the form of mile-long heaps in
> Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, about an hour from me.
>
_SURE_ to slide all of it past a strong magnet before use. Nothing
screws up DC Permag motors faster than 'magnetic ballast dust'.
Chuck D.
Craig Bisgeier
ballast before laying it.... tiny particles of that stuff can get whisked up
into locomotives and into motors and destroy them. Not only that, it can
sometimes create an electrical path between your rails like a resistor and
rob power from your pack, causint it to overheat.
Be careful with slag. As long as you remove the metallics you should be OK.
Craig
Frank A. Rosenbaum
color you want.
--
From Frank
New Email: faros...@earthlink.net
Jewish Telegram: "Begin worrying. Details to follow."
Steve Hoskins wrote in message <7tqlmr$q...@dfw-ixnews5.ix.netcom.com>...
Fred Dabney
I thought that "Kitty" Litter was some young starlet or another...
Fred D.
TOM
>
> I thought that "Kitty" Litter was some young starlet or another...
>
> Fred D.
I believe that was Kitty Latrine...
<><><> TOM <><><>
-----------------
JCNOPHD
>>
Yeah, I remember her, a real "potty" mouth.
Jerry C.
TOM
And she smoked some really bad smelling cigars... :>))
<><><> TOM <><><>
-----------------
Searchlight
wrote:
>
>I thought that "Kitty" Litter was some young starlet or another...
>
>Fred D.
>
>
She spelled it "Kitty LeTour." She and her boyfriend
Claude Carpitts were often seen together around
Los Gatos California, when not cruising the Persian
Gulf on Claude's yacht, the *Spray*.
Last I read, the two had had a spat.
--SL
Fred Dabney
Was that a "spat" or a "sprat"?