Free-mo Tools and Techniques

Also see my Links Page

Standards and Guidelines

• Free-Mo Official Standards
  Many groups have local standards, this is the official Free-Mo standards. The standards are designed as a minimum required for interoperability between different groups.

• Free-Mo SLO Standards and Recommended Practices
  Free=Mo SLO uses the Official Free-Mo Standards. We have re-written them into a format we believe is easier to read and understand. We have also added an FAQ section.

• NorCalF Standards and Guidlines
  Northern California Free-MO has a very good set o f local standards.

• Calgary Free-mo Standards and Guidelines
  The Calgary Free-Mo group has a very nice and complete set of local standards. Note: they do not build to the Free-Mo standard height.

Construction

• Module Curve Tool
  This is a jig to make multiple curve modules the exact same.

• Adjustable Legs
  I am building legs that adjust by 12 inches, part of the free-mo standard. Multiple designs.

• Leg Risers
  As members of the group start to think about building modules with grades, I figured I should design a system to raise a module up in 3/4 inch increments. Here is my design.

• "Egg Crate" Module Construction
  Here is a technique  from Bruce Smith of Auburn, AL on light weight "Egg Crate" module construction.

• Fold Up Legs
  Fold Up Leg Brackets.

• Leveling Feet

• Skirt Hangers
  Cheap quick and easy Skirt Hangers.

• How to fix ends that are not "square"
  Here is a technique I use to squre the ends of modules that are not quite perfect.

• Internal Joint Pins
  Here is how I make internal module joints line up perfect every time with very little work.

Electrical

• Cinch Jones Plugs
  The standard connection for Track Power on the end of a module is the Conch Jones plug and socket, Series 300, two connector, round. Part Numbers P-302H-CCT and S-302H-CCT. These are available at many online stores like:

  • Jameco, http://www.jameco.com P/N 248760, 248807

  • Mouser, http://www.mouser.com, P/N 538-P-302H-CCT, 538-S-302H-CCT

  • Allied Electronics, http://www.alliedelec.com, P/N 70152808, 70152791 

  • and Others

  I have included the part numbers for each site. On other sites you will have to vary your search to find the parts. Search by the part Cinch Jones Parts Numbers P-302H-CCT and S-302H-CCT, or "Cinch Jones".

          

• Anderson Power Pole Connecters
  These are some modern connectors I am using on my modules. I also build Power Pole to Cinch Jones adapters so that I am compliant with the Free-Mo standards

• Easy Flush Mounted Turnout Controls
  Here is a simple easy design for a flush mounted (recessed) push button

• DPDT on-on push button switches
  I have found a good source for the push button switches. Action Electronics in Santa Ana California, http://www.action-electronics.com/. Search on part number 35-405, select the link for switches, this should take you right to the part. Here is a direct link to the switches, http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm?zoom_highlight=35-405. 
  Another Vendor Minute Man Electronics Miniature & Standard Round Push Button Switches

• Movable Throttle Mount
  Here is a design for a throttle mount that is moveable. Put a throttle jack where you need it today and move it tomorrow.

• Tortoise Switch Machine Installation
  Here are some shots from NorcalF on how they install Tortoise Switch Machines, this works great.

• 8 Conductor 8 Position Module Connectors
  Most of use call them RJ-45, but they are 8 position 8 conductor (8P 8C) Modular connectors. RJ-45 is a defines both the connector, the wire and what kind of equipment it is connected too. In Free-mo we are using the RJ45 wiring schema. Here is a good web site that explains the wiring, JaySafe Systems - Technical - RJ45 PinOut,

Track

• Free-Mo to Standard Module Joiner
  A piece of track I built to connect a free-mo module to a standard module.

• Central Valley Switch Kits and Tie Strips
  See a photo essay of the installation of a Central Valley Model Works switch kit and tie strips.

• Free-Mo Modular Trackwork Handbook
  Gary Green has put together a great resource with information learned about track work and Free-Mo modules.

• Level Track
  Get down and look at your track work.

• Heat and Humidity
  Do not forget about changes in the track due to heat and changes in the wood due to humidity.

• PC Board Tie Plates for the end of the module. James Koretsky is now making and selling them via his BNM Hobbies web site under the category of Free-mo.

  • End Tie Plate (ETP)

  • Intermediate Tie Plate (ITP)

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Design

• Degrees of Curve
  Understanding Degrees of Curve and converting from Degrees of Curve to Radius.

• Easements
  I use John Galt's Excel Spreadsheet from his Spiral Easement Curve Calculator web page to calculate my easements. I think both of these links are broken, so here is the Copy of the Excel Spreadsheet I got from John Galt's web site, Spiral Spreadsheet

Scenery

• Frame Color

• In Free-Mo SLO, Norcal and Free-Mo LA our standard frame color is Glidden Great Desert. Others report getting this from Home Depot.

• I have had trouble finding Glidden Great Desert and found this a a replacement.
  ACE Hardware. Card number 4-2R color 4-0209D. It was mixed with -95 Deep Base, Flat, 1 gallon. (Note: that was in 2005)
  The mix on the top of the can says:
       Life Paint Corp. LIFE INTERIOR FLAT 4-0209D
       B Shots 11
       C Shots 27
       L Ounces 1, shots 36, 1/2 shots 1

• 2009, ACE no longer carries the Life Interior brand of paint. I matched that paint I had up to this:
  Pratt & Lambert, PRO-Hide Gold,  Interior Latex Flat, Base 2
  Color Card 14-26 Edmund's Beige (was 2204)
  The mix on the top of the can says:
       Base: Base2-Z8192
       Can Size: Gallon
       Color in in Ounces, 1/48, and 1/96
       B, 0, 38, 0
       C, 1, 36, 0
       V, 0, 14, 0
       KX, 3, 12, 0 

Miscellaneous

• Vinyl Skirting
  Norcal Free-Mo bought the vinyl skirting from: http://www.exclusivelyexpo.com/ Check out the "bargain corner". Look for vinyl in rolls, 54" width. We use the "brown" color. Otherwise, click on "fabrics", scroll down to "embossed vinyl sheeting" and click it. This page shows all the colors, and if you scroll down it gives more info.