Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 23 Sep 2017 23:09 from: Martin Wynne
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http://3cp-tools.co.uk/ |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 08:00 from: Jim Guthrie
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Quite pricey for what it is. I think you are paying a lot for the idea since the construction of the instrument doesn't warrant that price. Jim. |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 08:57 from: polybear click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Interesting idea, and useful for flexitrack users. But presumably not a true transition curve? As for price, I was expecting maybe £40 or so. But £195? That's just nuts. I don't expect many will appear at that price, for what is after all a piece of (I suspect) laser cut stainless with a few tapped holes and securing screws. Brian |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 11:35 from: mikewturner click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
These guys are at Wigan show next weekend if anyone wants to see one in the flesh. Regards Mike |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 14:08 from: Martin Wynne
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polybear wrote: But presumably not a true transition curve?Well, er...  But near enough for most users. And now we need a double-track alongside -- and with the spacing increasing to allow for extra vehicle clearance on sharp curves ... 2_240858_160000000.png  Just a few clicks, and the £194* is still in your pocket.  But well done for a clever idea, and no doubt they will sell a few to those for whom computers are against their religion. regards, Martin. *£1 for some glue to stick the template down. |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 14:41 from: Martin Wynne
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... on the other hand, a bigger home-made wooden version for large-scale garden railways might be very handy. Sticking down A4 sheets is hardly practical when there is an apple tree in the way, and it looks like rain. Martin. |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 15:44 from: Roger Henry
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A clever looking gadget, but Templot is The Way. But if you are without your trusty PC, what is wrong with a simple trammel? |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 16:00 from: Martin Wynne
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Roger Henry wrote: A clever looking gadget, but Templot is The Way.Hi Roger, Or even a piece of string? It does need access to the radial centre, which may be off the baseboard, outside the room, obstructed by a model of Ben Nevis. Also difficult for those graceful gentle curves of 26ft radius. regards, Martin. |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 20:25 from: mikewturner click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
My first thought was waste of time but given my planned model of Bannavie Junction Martin could have a point! :-) Strikes me would be more attractive if it was laser cut mdf, ply or Perspex. Regards Mike |
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posted: 24 Sep 2017 21:12 from: Trevor Walling
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Hello, I'll give it a miss as it only does 10 common radii. I wonder what they are?  Then again maybe not. |
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posted: 25 Sep 2017 01:35 from: John Palmer click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
For those with access to the Scalefour Society's Digest Sheets, Section 21-1 offers methods for setting out a curve by versines and by offsets, whilst Section 21-1-1 shows a method for drawing curves with a triangular shaped trammel, with no access to the radial origin required. I can just about remember using such methods for setting out the the curves of our group layout nearly forty years ago and, were Templot not available, I think I would be reverting to them rather than shelling out £200 for such a tool. |
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| Last edited on 25 Sep 2017 01:36 by John Palmer |
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posted: 26 Sep 2017 00:17 from: Andrew Barrowman
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A less expensive version here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102711-drawing-curves-on-the-baseboard/ | ||
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posted: 30 Nov 2017 14:18 from: Craig Scarisbrick click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
I would like to take this opportunity to help answer some of the points raised. As the inventor of the 3CP curve plotting tool, I would first like to present the background. The tool was developed due to the need to construct a 5 inch track gauge miniature railway extension hampered by many obstacles to negotiate and limitations to routes available. A simplified large scale version of the tool was constructed, machined and calibrated to forward plot along the centre-line of the intended route, i.e. the tool does not require a centre of radius. Careful track geometry was important, such as transition curves and smooth constant curves as we were carrying people (in many respects like full size railways). This was the only accurate method suitable for solving and controlling the track layout design, which eliminated the variation of individual judgements. Hence, this invention would also work for model railways. 3CP for OO scale track has been designed using complex mathematical solutions. No knowledge of maths is required to use it, and it was designed to be a quick and easy to use physical tool. However, the tool is very complex in its design, even though it looks like a simple tool to make. As described on the website, the tool is used by forward plotting to find the next point, be it on a straight line, constant curve or at a different radius to form a spiral curve. It will take a few attempts to define the preferred route, but it is quick and easy to modify the route during development. In order to be reliable and accurate, great care and attention has gone into the design, which has been essential (according to the laws of maths) so making this a precision instrument. 3CP has been designed to cover the full range of Tracksetta curves, plus a few more. The 3CP tool can also pre-curve, straighten and hold the flexible track to the set curve during fixing to the boards. The threaded holes have been carefully located and identified to make it easy and precise to use. Great care and attention has been taken to select the very tightly controlled processes for cutting and marking the laser cut stainless steel components, and all other parts have been accurately machined to ensure excellent repeatability in setting the tool. Plus there are other finishing processes and specialist manufacturing tools. Eventually, each tool has to pass quality controls before releasing for sale. In order to sell something you generally have to advertise, and this cost has to be built into the selling price. Also, inventions need to be legally protected which are expensive, otherwise the development costs cannot be recovered. By the time all the costs are added-up the selling price becomes apparently expensive. It's typical! I have built several layouts and I know how frustrating it can be when laying out curves, and I have experienced several undesirable results. For me and many others (such as Templot users, I'm sure), achieving the correct looking curve is very important to present the best results. Being an engineer, a poorly constructed curve always takes the shine off a good model railway. I know the 3CP tool has been proven to produce excellent curvature results. This is also true for the 5 inch gauge railway now completed and considered by many to be probably the best aligned track in the country. 3CP is a simple tool to use, but very complex in design. I think it helps people to understand more about the details before reaching conclusions, and I hope this provides useful further information. Craig http://www.3cp-tools.co.uk 3489_300853_090000000.jpg  |
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