BBar and Cutters
We are often asked about “wiring the layout” because modellers often fear this part of the hobby. However, taking a meticulous approach and planning ahead can make the task easier, and occasionally, there are products that can make the actual process easier, as well as making it much simpler to keep track of your wiring.
First, let’s take a look at the DCCconcepts “bus bars” (Product number is DCC-Bar2)
So what is DCC-Bbar2?
DCC-Bar2 is a pack of two brass bus bars. So much easier to work with than the traditional “chocolate block” connectors, they make it dead easy to link the important heavier wiring of the track or accessory power bus.
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- There are two in each pack
- They are easily mounted with the two blue mounting feet which will swivel to give you a choice of how you mount them in tight places. They can be fixed in place using M3 screws (#4 for those with “imperial measurements” to work with)
- Each bus bar has eight holes large enough for at least a couple of wires, making multiple bus connections or branching of bus wires quick and easy
Of course, having eight wires in each, it’s not hard to imagine coming back later and wondering where all of those wires go… so we have created a simple template for you to use.
Here is a picture of the template… You can download your own copies at: https://www.dccconcepts.com/bbar-template/
It is available for download now. There are eight of them on a single page so one print will give you enough for your whole layout… or spares for correction if you change your mind during the wiring process.
The template also gives you a drilling template for the mounting screws. Here is how we would use it:
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- Print it on A4 paper. Each page contains 8 templates. (make sure your print is set to “actual size”)
- Cut them out (Laminate first if you wish)
- Glue them in place in your chosen position. (PVA glues etc are fine for this)
- Pre-drill the mount holes for the bus bar feet in the marked positions with a 2mm drill.
- Mount your bus bars
As you wire, use the label area to indicate “what goes where” in the wiring.
Super-Sharp Shears
Having a hands-on approach is important in any hobby, so we base most of our tool’s range on things that we find most useful in our own modelling, because there is no better way to be sure that what we sell works in a way that we know you will also be happy with.
Our Super-Sharp Shears are a great example of this.
DCT-SSS £13.95 each (inc VAT)
The cut is so precise on their 50mm (2″) blades that they will also cut the etching ‘cusp’ _cleanly from etched brass kit components with perfect results! Of course, this accuracy also enables better results with cutting other modelling materials, including but not limited to vinyl, styrene, most bendable plastics etc… and including brass, copper, aluminium and mild steel sheet up to 0.35mm (0.015”)
Yes, they are good with paper and card too, but please be aware that many forms of card are actually harder on blades than all plastics and most of the softer metals.
Fine Sprue Cutters
Another lovely tool
We had these sprue cutters made for us, and asked the manufacturer to make them the best available. They succeeded, and they are as good as it gets – So good in fact that we guarantee them for a full year providing they are used only on the materials they were designed for, such as plastic, and modelling alloys such as copper, brass and of course nickel silver.
Our Fine Sprue Cutters are also Perfect for fine wiring work, flush cutting component leads, trimming parts from brass etchings and many other precision workbench tasks.
DCT-FSC £11.95 each (inc VAT)
A “Top Tip” for special cutting tools.
This is one learned from experience… If your significant other cooks of does crafts, they will love these tools. However, they are definitely NOT designed to cut chickens. Either buy them their own pair or keep them hidden in the drawer!.