Video

The visual portion plays properly, but I am getting terrible sound...slow and tinny sounding.  Unlistenable .

Google. Windows 10. Only video I've ever experienced this with.

David Stewart

Zip Zip

Excellent tutorial, thanks for sharing MRH !

I still have several linear meters to ballast on 'The AnneliesVille RR' - and was delaying this because it's labor intensive and messy - but I will use this method and sure make faster progress.

The video is well done, to the point and I had no trouble regarding the sound quality.

Thanks,

Filip

Very good video and sound

Very good video and sound quality on my smartphone. But darn, I was hoping to see more of the tie weathering technique from the article. THAT was the big takeaway for me, once my fat fingers stopped skipping past that part of the article. (Otherwise, I find the old ways of ballasting rather therapeutic).

Emily Litella

Which is to say, "Never mind."

Something went south that a restart fixed. Had played the guitar and watched Youtube videos earlier without issues.

I apologize for my hasty report.

David Stewart

Tie weathering

We'll post the tie weathering technique in another video later.

By the way, this is an example of a short-and-sweet video - around 5 minutes and to-the-point. Get the camera up close to show the action and cut to the chase! We hope to make more videos like this. Since we can’t visit layouts or bring guests into the studio, we need to do something — and this is an example of what we will be doing instead on any topic you can think of.

A good reprise of the Joe Fugate Zip Ballast Technique

I still I need to find a better applicator bottle since Amazon was out of the small Ballast Bond bottles and I bought the refill instead, but other than that the technique works.  My experience is in the original thread on Zip Ballasting   ( https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/magazine/mrh2020-07/zip-ballasting?page=2) . 

If only wiring turnouts were this easy.

Looks good but my main

Looks good thanks.  ...but my main question is to ask if has noise reduction bodies in it ...like chalking glue, unlike white glue which is rigid and noisy.

Also what is a good link or product in order to buy the pan pastels?  

Pastels

Dick Blick has all the Pan Pastels you could ever want.

Good video.

However, what I find the most tedious part is getting the ballast off the ties. And from what I can see with that "ballast spreader" is that it spreads a lot of ballast. More than we need. Therefore, we spend a lot of time clearing it off the ties and getting it into the position we need to apply the glue to. And the only change I made was to use Mod Podge instead of Elmers. And 70% alcohol instead of water. I do use the 1 part MP to 3 pts alcohol, with a couple drops of dish soap. (Not Dawn, I just use the cheapest Dollar Tree brand.) But yes, the 5 minute video is a great way to tell the story.

Someone somewhere said that

Someone somewhere said that ballast bond leaves a semi sheen if this true what else is the clearist matteist glue finish. i plan to wet with alcohol and then put a drip of glue? of some sort  ...what would be the clearist matteish finish?    In australia as well. Has anyone tried the Noch Latex glue.?

'     

Jamie B…….

………I use matte medium which is ultra flat. 

 

Peter

This stuff.

 
Peter

Mod Podge in VIC

Dear James,

Mod Podge MATTE (and Gloss) is available via your local Spotlight or LinCraft Crafts Stores

https://www.spotlightstores.com/search?text=MOD%20PODGE

https://www.lincraft.com.au/search?q=Mod+Podge

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Exactly.

Yes, those images of Mod Podge is exactly what I use. And just FYI. I dislike using water. Call it an indiosyncrasy! Actually, I hate using water. So, I decided to use 70% alcohol. Yes, it has some water, but apparently not enough to bother me. I'm not crazy about the smell, but so what! I use the alcohol with dish drops to saturate the ballast and then also some dish drops in the MP mix. It's just what I do and am satisfied with the results. Of course, you can use Elmers or whatever. And yes, some products may produce a better or worse result. But as others have now shown, I agree with the product and technique. I did start with mixing 1 pt MP to 1 pt water and 2 pts alcohol and other combos. But found that using alcohol alone was OK. Does all this cost a bit more. Yes. But not so much more that it deterred me. And I am frugal. So I felt the cost was worth it to use alcohol, which is still fairly available in spite of COVID 19. And one final thought. When mixing MP with alcohol. I put the MP in the mixing bottle first, and add the alcohol - not all as once. I add some, mix it, and then add more - until the flow is nice and smooth, slightly milky and don't clog or get too messy. I wipe the top each time I use it and keep the bottle handy. Heck, here's a photo. 

The spray bottle is the alcohol + dish drops. The "ex" alcohol bottle shows the MP mix, also with dish drops. The fan brush is used to clear ballast off the ties. The toothbrush is used to clear anything off the rails. Sometimes after everything has dried, there is some ballast to clear off. Fingers, pointy objects and the toothbrush usually work. I quit using pipettes, eye droppers, etc. I simply spray without anything else and use the "ex" alcohol bottle as it is to drip the MP mix. It is easy to dribble along and easy to control how much. The pipette emptied out too fast. My way, that bottle lasts a long time. Any further comments are always welcome. But I am very happy with the results. My only complaint is as I said. Trying to get all the ballast off the ties and properly positioned before applying any liquids.

About that ballast spreader

Committed ...I'm now model

Committed ...I'm now model railroader as I laid just laid the first 4' of ballast and I realised I need some improvements ...thanks for tips.

My priority is a real good matte finish 

I am buying a ballast spreader the one I am getting is Prose with wheels a train can pull it ...not sure if that will go smoothly.

But I going paint rails and a undercoat for ties after roughen them up to look worn. But I will put the weathering coats on after the ballast because of stone dust. However use Legacy ballast from DCC Concepts that isn't an issue. And its dyeable.

I also want a flexible rubbery glue so to reduce noise ...I have implemented other elements in the layout to assist with that.

Question. Mixing alcohol with mod podge when I try tried made it combobilate but if I try it as suggested above by adding a bit by bit may solve problem.   Do I need dish drops as well as acolhol?

And which will be better  Matt medium ultra flat or Mod podge?

Price isn't an issue here as it is a small layout.

Mod Podge in VIC

Bunnings also sells Mod Podge, in the aisle where they have craft materials.

Ballast very noisy....tested

Ballast very noisy....tested out my ballast (real stone) glued and I cant believe how noisy it is just even with one carriage on it. I have 9mm soundproof material used caulking glue. I wondering if anyone has tried Noch latext glue?

I use water mixed 50/50 with

I use water mixed 50/50 with ipa for my “wet water” pre-mist and  I like to use yellow carpenters glue mixed with 70% ipa. To actually glue the ballast. The yellow glue dries matte,the ipa mixed in with it makes it spread on the ballast and not clump up.

cheers

gene