Another informative video - Thank you. Wondering what size drops you use as I looked up that part number that seemed to be PTA1218M. The specs for it show 12-18 on both ends. I use 12 & 14 for bus and 20 for drops. I guess one could just strip double the needed distance on the drop and double it over before inserting. This does seem to be the only size suitable for 12/14 buss wires.
Hi Peter thanks for sharing this product, have used similar product but never thought it on a layout, does make it a lot easier, down under Australia 👍👍👍
Peter those connectors look very interesting they appear to be available over here in the UK via Amazon as well. I was wondering if you could sometime do a video on the tools and equipment you use and your experiences with them I am sure it would be very enlightening. Neil
I second this. I’d love to see a how-to clinic. How he actually builds the bench work (sizes and dimensions of the wood, and fasteners). How he affixes the track and why. What kind of road bed he uses (appears to be foam here), etc. A real in-depth look at what he’s doing would be great.
@@ciredfish There is already a more in-depth track-laying video in the pipeline. Benchwork is all 3/4" birch-faced plywood ripped on a table-saw. The width of the strips varies by application. I use 1 1/4" and 1 5/8" coarse-thread dry-wall screws and regular carpenters' glue.
I find ANY connector that is based on an Insulation Displacement principle scary, and I won't use them, but I come (mostly) from the vintage automotive world (so low Voltage/Low Current, but in the Model Railroading world, we have even lower voltage and lower current, so any voltage drop across a poor connection is a killer)...beware Peter! Do you have long-term experience or reports on these connectors? What is plating of the pin (if any?), which pierces the insulation and connects into the conductor? (possible long-term or galvanic effects!). I enjoy your MR techniques and videos very much. Greets from Connecticut!
I used to feel the same way about them (I soldered everything), but everyone is now using them. I don't have any choice when subcontracting for someone who specifies them but after having used them for a while now, I love them (no more blobs of molten solder dripping in my face when I work under the layout).
I know this video doesn't correspond to my question here but could you go over how you lay out the prints / plans to the bench work? do you glue the roadbed and or risers right to the paper to determine the centerlines? Thanks, great videos and happy new years
Love those connector. What are the connector name? I would buy some. And since i built a modular layout (did ask help from you a few months ago for a drawing (love it)) What would you suggest me to make a good wires connection between the different module? Something making it easy to disconnect and connect and that would look good. Thx! :)
Like the connectors you used, I was wondering how you figure out the size of the moduals that fit in a trailer for shipping? or do you just crate it up, I understand if you drew up the plan buty I thought you said the customer gave you the drawing. Great work so far.
Sometimes it is possible to tailor the module sizes to fit the trailer. In other cases, the layout design dictates where the section joints can go. This was one of those cases - with added restrictions on the maximum sized section that we could get into the owner's train room. We got lucky with fitting it into the trailer as you will see in an upcoming video. When I draw a plan, I keep section-size in mind during the design process (unless I know that the customer will be building it himself as a permanent layout in its proper location). Some designers apparently don't give any consideration to how a layout will actually be built and transported. I was given the drawing for this layout by the general contractor (who is my customer; not to be confused with his customer who is the layout owner).
Nice looking connecters to save messing with screwdriver or soldered connecter types, and should connection fail easy to swapin swap out for sake of a couple of twists, cheers ken uk
OK Do we have a LINK to the connectors...I'm using 14 on the bus and 20 on the drops for N scale...Would like to see where to get these connectors? THANKS!
The bag says wire gauge 12-18. Larger bus wires can be accommodated by opening out the grey bit with a drill (although this eats into the time saving). Smaller feeder wires can be twisted together if necessary. An internet search will locate many places to get them. Lowes and Walmart have them in small packs but they are much cheaper in the 500-bag direct from the manufacturer.
I thought same at beginning thinking there dont seam to be enough feeders, but at 01:15 Peter says he solders rail joiners aswell. so in doing that less feeders will be required. i have noticed many do this soldering rail joiners but after every 3 lengths of track leave joiners unsoldered to leave normal track gap for heat expansion etc. end of the day each too their own and how much work they want to put in to it.
I'm a professional layout builder and we solder feeder cables to every single piece of track. Its madness not doing it. Soldering rail joiners is also wrong. Track needs to expand and contract and that's what the rail joiners do. Soldering them up will lead to track expansion problems. Also using the track to carry power will lead to power drops as the nickel silver track doesn't conduct as well as the cable will and will lead to power drops due to the resistance in the track.
@@davidlindfield Nice to hear from another professional builder. Looking back, I see I was answering the wrong question. For some crazy reason I thought you asked why I didn't solder all the rail joints - my bad. Yes I like to put in feeders to every piece of rail, no matter how small - that's how I did it on my own layout. When I'm subcontracting for another builder, I have to use their specifications.
when i had my layout did find the text wire of communication wires in offices works great if i as not at the shop working here I was at a customer we have one of the had palet of the text cable cheap 50 boxes i got was nothing wrong with the wire they changed to and other company in that cable did sell very fast for me keep 4 boxes back i have neighbour its seem funny they like 1/2 hour away or an hour away from me he buries phone cable he brights me the end pieces of the cables use the for the drops on the layout too he knows i make fishing lures he what me to make him lures with it he keeps me in stock with the wire now i am not out working i have more time to do the thing like that I did taking a break on woodworking health reason why I am not working anymore too lol I have 12 animal are at the french door lookout right now why i am up they are up the sleep in the day time if i allow it there are still amazed by the TV nuture channels they will watch it for hours they do not under stand it a show if it not on they trying to find a way into the tv show what frecks the all out when i put them on the tv that when they have to go out side when i do that to them
That’s one nice thing about building modules instead of fixed layouts: You can always lay each module on the side to do the wiring.
I thank you for doing these videos, I subscribed right before you started truckee project, you do a great job!!!! Keep them coming!!!
Those look to be a lot easier to us than anything I've seen before....thanks for sharing....Jack 🙂
Thanks for this video. Quite helpful.
Nice way to ring in the new year. Like those connectors. Happy new year.
Another informative video - Thank you. Wondering what size drops you use as I looked up that part number that seemed to be PTA1218M. The specs for it show 12-18 on both ends. I use 12 & 14 for bus and 20 for drops. I guess one could just strip double the needed distance on the drop and double it over before inserting. This does seem to be the only size suitable for 12/14 buss wires.
Happy New Year and a healthy one to you and you family
Hi Peter thanks for sharing this product, have used similar product but never thought it on a layout, does make it a lot easier, down under Australia 👍👍👍
those connectors look great, thanks for sharing ...
Wow like them connectors.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
there is nothing better than doing drop feeders for a layout. well watching someone else do it is way better.
looks like a nice new product to use
Peter those connectors look very interesting they appear to be available over here in the UK via Amazon as well. I was wondering if you could sometime do a video on the tools and equipment you use and your experiences with them I am sure it would be very enlightening. Neil
I second this. I’d love to see a how-to clinic. How he actually builds the bench work (sizes and dimensions of the wood, and fasteners). How he affixes the track and why. What kind of road bed he uses (appears to be foam here), etc. A real in-depth look at what he’s doing would be great.
@@ciredfish There is already a more in-depth track-laying video in the pipeline. Benchwork is all 3/4" birch-faced plywood ripped on a table-saw. The width of the strips varies by application. I use 1 1/4" and 1 5/8" coarse-thread dry-wall screws and regular carpenters' glue.
mpeterll thank you for the reply. I look forward to that future video and all your other postings. Happy New Year to you!
I find ANY connector that is based on an Insulation Displacement principle scary, and I won't use them, but I come (mostly) from the vintage automotive world (so low Voltage/Low Current, but in the Model Railroading world, we have even lower voltage and lower current, so any voltage drop across a poor connection is a killer)...beware Peter! Do you have long-term experience or reports on these connectors? What is plating of the pin (if any?), which pierces the insulation and connects into the conductor? (possible long-term or galvanic effects!). I enjoy your MR techniques and videos very much. Greets from Connecticut!
I used to feel the same way about them (I soldered everything), but everyone is now using them. I don't have any choice when subcontracting for someone who specifies them but after having used them for a while now, I love them (no more blobs of molten solder dripping in my face when I work under the layout).
Thank you details video and showing new market
From Australia
I know this video doesn't correspond to my question here but could you go over how you lay out the prints / plans to the bench work? do you glue the roadbed and or risers right to the paper to determine the centerlines? Thanks, great videos and happy new years
Like those connectors. I'll have to look for some.
Love those connector. What are the connector name? I would buy some.
And since i built a modular layout (did ask help from you a few months ago for a drawing (love it)) What would you suggest me to make a good wires connection between the different module? Something making it easy to disconnect and connect and that would look good.
Thx! :)
Have you started building that layout yet? Here's a link to the source: www.posi-products.com/installer.cfm#8
Great job
Great connectors, better than the 3m suitcase connectors I used.
Like the connectors you used, I was wondering how you figure out the size of the moduals that fit in a trailer for shipping? or do you just crate it up, I understand if you drew up the plan buty I thought you said the customer gave you the drawing. Great work so far.
Sometimes it is possible to tailor the module sizes to fit the trailer. In other cases, the layout design dictates where the section joints can go. This was one of those cases - with added restrictions on the maximum sized section that we could get into the owner's train room. We got lucky with fitting it into the trailer as you will see in an upcoming video. When I draw a plan, I keep section-size in mind during the design process (unless I know that the customer will be building it himself as a permanent layout in its proper location). Some designers apparently don't give any consideration to how a layout will actually be built and transported. I was given the drawing for this layout by the general contractor (who is my customer; not to be confused with his customer who is the layout owner).
do you have a bus per track? curious why so many wires. #newbiehere
Nice looking connecters to save messing with screwdriver or soldered connecter types, and should connection fail easy to swapin swap out for sake of a couple of twists, cheers ken uk
OK Do we have a LINK to the connectors...I'm using 14 on the bus and 20 on the drops for N scale...Would like to see where to get these connectors? THANKS!
I found them on Ebay but just 30 in a bag>? Where did you get the JUMBO 500 bag! :)
How far apart????
How do the Posi Tap connectors compare in cost per pc. to Suitecase Connectors?
I've never used suitcase connectors. The 500-bag of these posi-taps cost $282, so a little less than 60c each. Worth it for the time savings I think.
What gauge wire can they handle? Where to purchase?
The bag says wire gauge 12-18. Larger bus wires can be accommodated by opening out the grey bit with a drill (although this eats into the time saving). Smaller feeder wires can be twisted together if necessary. An internet search will locate many places to get them. Lowes and Walmart have them in small packs but they are much cheaper in the 500-bag direct from the manufacturer.
@@mpeterll Thanks and Happy New Year to you and yours
Why aren't you soldering feeders to every piece of track?
I thought same at beginning thinking there dont seam to be enough feeders, but at 01:15 Peter says he solders rail joiners aswell. so in doing that less feeders will be required. i have noticed many do this soldering rail joiners but after every 3 lengths of track leave joiners unsoldered to leave normal track gap for heat expansion etc. end of the day each too their own and how much work they want to put in to it.
If you solder all the track joints, it will kink badly with expansion.
I'm a professional layout builder and we solder feeder cables to every single piece of track. Its madness not doing it. Soldering rail joiners is also wrong. Track needs to expand and contract and that's what the rail joiners do. Soldering them up will lead to track expansion problems. Also using the track to carry power will lead to power drops as the nickel silver track doesn't conduct as well as the cable will and will lead to power drops due to the resistance in the track.
@@davidlindfield Nice to hear from another professional builder. Looking back, I see I was answering the wrong question. For some crazy reason I thought you asked why I didn't solder all the rail joints - my bad. Yes I like to put in feeders to every piece of rail, no matter how small - that's how I did it on my own layout. When I'm subcontracting for another builder, I have to use their specifications.
Hi Peter. Nice connectors! See ya.
Mechanical connections are potential failure points and can be pricey, soldering is the solution.
when i had my layout did find the text wire of communication wires in offices works great if i as not at the shop working here I was at a customer we have one of the had palet of the text cable cheap 50 boxes i got was nothing wrong with the wire they changed to and other company in that cable did sell very fast for me keep 4 boxes back
i have neighbour its seem funny they like 1/2 hour away or an hour away from me he buries phone cable he brights me the end pieces of the cables use the for the drops on the layout too he knows i make fishing lures he what me to make him lures with it he keeps me in stock with the wire now i am not out working i have more time to do the thing like that I did taking a break on woodworking health reason why I am not working anymore too
lol I have 12 animal are at the french door lookout right now why i am up they are up the sleep in the day time if i allow it there are still amazed by the TV nuture channels they will watch it for hours they do not under stand it a show if it not on they trying to find a way into the tv show what frecks the all out when i put them on the tv that when they have to go out side when i do that to them