Introducing the Bexhill ballast vacuum

[@BobZoom2U]

I've been experimenting with the N scale version. So far most of the ballast ends up in the vacuum cleaner. The adapter attachment to the vacuum cleaner hose has a somewhat adjustable suction vent to control the amount of suction at the pickup head. That part seems to make no difference. Very little ballast is caught by the soda bottle. And even less is left on the track and roadbed. I will continue to experiment, but wonder if this doesn't scale down to N scale ballast very well. I'm using a Bosch portable 18 volt vacuum.

[@mpeterll]

Maybe you have too much suction in your vacuum cleaner. There needs to be a vent in one of the parts in the adapter kit (sold separately) that can be opened to reduce the suction. Also, what type of ballast are you using? It's designed for use with proper crushed rock. Woodland Scenics uses walnut shells instead of real rock and is far too light.

[@BobZoom2U]

@@mpeterll Peter, the adapter kit I have has vents on it to reduce suction. Apparently not enough. I'm playing with that. Previous to this tool I had been using a nozzle I fabricated myself that was strictly for cleaning up the edge of the ballast line, using the same vacuum cleaner. So I believe it's just a matter of further experimentation. I'm using crushed rock ballast, from Arizona Rock and Mineral. My main concern is that viewers realize this is not a simple cookie cutter solution. There is of necessity going to be a trial and error period until good results are obtained.

[@BobZoom2U]

@@mpeterll FOLLOWUP After drilling four 1/4 inch holes in the adaptor that connects to the vacuum the tool is working pretty well, getting everything above the sleepers on one pass. I may drill yet one more hole just to see how that works. It's worth noting that I was successful with both ARM and Woodland Scenics fine ballast. I'd say the trick is to keep drilling suction relief holes until the tool gives the desired results. One hole too many is fixed with a bit of tape over the hole. Gotta say it, the tool does a mighty fine job!

[@andrewpalm2103]

Thank you, Peter, for the videos you have done over the last year. And I have enjoyed them and picked up some useful pointers, so I appreciate your efforts. All the best to you in the New Year!

[@Wild-Dad]

Hello Peter - thank you for all the informational and educational videos you have given us over this past year. At no time had I felt that I had wasted my time watching your videos. Take care and best wishes for a much better 2022.

[@lasseystad3266]

The same to you Peter. And thank you for all your videos and all work behind them. I learned a lot from you Thank you!

[@Wild-Dad]

Not to worry, as long you put out your vids, we will be watching. You take care of yourself as well. All the best wishes for you in this new year. Hopefully we all will have a better year ahead of us.

[@mpeterll]

An N-scale vacuum head is also now available from the manufacturer. They should be here by the end of January. Please feel free to pre-order if you want one.

[@johnholt7874]

Happy new year

[@railwayjade]

HAppy New Year Peter!

[@TriGogglin]

Thanks for sharing, that is a great tool. Gonna definitely have to get one.

[@leehanna4929]

Interesting. Happy New Year, Peter!

[@ronhumble7793]

Have a super new year!

[@Blue68Camaro]

I spend a lot of time getting every pebble off the ties, maybe a little OCD about it. Had to order one and hope I get the same great results you did. BTW: Happy New Year and thank you for all your videos.

[@PeterTillman3]

I definitely want one. Happy New Year Peter and one year closer to the build 👍

[@jolliemark6294]

You are right Peter. I have seen other version of the but this is the best I've seen and a lot simpler to use....Jack 👍👍👍👍👍

[@darwinsmonkeybutler2113]

OK that is impressive… I always say ballast is the most important bit of trackwork. Happy New Year to you, Peter : )

[@deeblanchard1728]

Happy New Year l also lost my wife so all the best in 2022 to us thank you for making Monday s a good day Russell

[@vincenthuying98]

Happy New Year to you too Peter, happy ballasting!

[@iangerahty3422]

All the best for 2022 Peter.

[@chrisridd9423]

That's a clever little gadget! I hope you have a great 2022.

[@trainsinpoland]

A very happy and successful New Year to you Peter.

[@peterstecks7660]

Happy New Year Peter, and thanks for all you do. Regards. Peter

[@poppafiveone]

Thanks for showing and Happy New Year.

[@tylerfrizzell7998]

Happy New Year! Terrific idea, it looks great and saves the material.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

First, let me wish you a happy New Year!! Now to actually comment on your video. I found this video very interesting because I’m about to revamp my micro layout to a country scene to Walmington-on- Sea.

[@MrBsHiawathalandRails]

Wow, that vac works great! Happy New Year!

[@LittleWicketRailway]

I thought that might be the product you were hinting at. I picked one up a few weeks ago. Yet to try it, but it looks like a game changer.

[@SantaFeBob]

Thank you for posting. Happy New Year.

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

Happy new Peter, I too am a distributor in Australia. They are a fine piece of kit. I will link you details in my video on the vac.

[@mpeterll]

A already watched your video. James also released a video yesterday with links to both of us.

[@HHExpress]

Very Handy Peter, Best wishes for 2022 greetings Hai

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Peter Great product

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Hello Peter, very interesting product, what would be the shipping costs to Canada , I live near Sparky

[@kirknitz3794]

Happy New Year

[@dkaustin98]

Happy New Year!

[@orwellwasright9604]

happy new year Peter.

[@joeraderblackrockcentralrr]

so this is used before gluing. thats a great idea

[@kellycain9283]

This is guy that ask for the link to your store.... I found the link.. Thank you again Later

[@jamescarry4733]

I love it. I will purchase right. away.

[@wot3424]

Hello Peter. I also love the videos you publish and the tips you are eager to share with modelers. Please let me know the price of the HO Scale vacuum tool with the vacuum cleaner adapter unit plus shipping. This is one fine product if one has to do a lot of ballasting on a layout. I also noticed a video from a fellow who may have invented the tool from England. It also showed the ballast holder Please confirm the price if available. Thanks. Your work is outstanding. Best, Wiley T

[@mpeterll]

It was indeed developed by a fellow in England. I simply distribute them for him in the USA. They are listed for sale in my on-line store. Follow the link in the description.

[@riff2072]

Happy New Year Everyone!

[@jeeper360]

The 20v Hercules 1/2 gallon wet/dry vac at Harbor Freight might be a good fit for this task - small and portable to not need a lot of hose.

[@iangerahty3422]

Good thinking. Ultimately adaptors for a variety of handheld to backpack style vacuums could be the solution depending on the scale and frequency of the task.

[@richardcolemanjr3749]

In the January 1978 issue of Model Railroader magazine an article was done on how to make such a vac. There is a video on KZbin also. Great product. Will it be sold in the US market?

[@mpeterll]

It's available through my on-line store - link is in the description.

[@jhoodfysh]

Hi Peter, that is excellent. I certainly would want one. Would it work for N-Scale as well?

[@nedmerrill5705]

I second the desire for an N scale head. Thanks.

[@nickpapagiorgio2253]

IT does work for N-scale although he is (Bexhill) designing one for N-scale as well

[@nickpapagiorgio2253]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXPLkJJ_fb6Lobc

[@jhoodfysh]

@@nickpapagiorgio2253 Thanks Nick

[@mpeterll]

The N-scale version is now available for pre-order on my web-store.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi ya Peter. That’s very cool. I, too, would like to know if there is an n scale version? Seeing how this particular head piece is grooved for HO. Happy New Year to you too, Peter. Thanks for all the great videos. Take care. See ya in 22.

[@mpeterll]

The manufacturer released a video the same time as this one that shows an N-scale version. I will make them available as soon as I can get a shipment.

[@IMRROcom]

Labyrinth, Played the game with my kids. This was the game of the day after Christmas at the in laws, love the game. What version is your? We just have the basic game. Looks like yours is another version judging from the box art.

[@mpeterll]

I didn't know there were multiple versions. It's functionally the same ad the version I used to have but it's different box art. My old game was called the amazing shifting labyrinth, but now they've simplified the title.

[@hayttom]

Very interesting. Would it work with a different brand of soda bottle, or does it have to be Mountain Dew? HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[@mpeterll]

Different soda bottles should be used for different types of ballast. Coke or Dr Pepper works best for dark ballast,, Mountain Dew is good for medium, and Sprite is best for light ballast. Regular works best for coarse ballast and diet for fine. :-)

[@frankneher9192]

Happy New Year I bet Woodland Secenic would be too light for it.

[@mpeterll]

Probably. WS ballast is crushed walnut shells and is too light for most ballasting techniques. It tends to float on top of the glue instead of staying where it's supposed to be.

[@coolruehle]

WS is oversized, out of scale, and is junk.

[@kevin0007]

I made a tool similar to this a few years ago. Same principle of operation. It handles Woodland Scenics nicely by just tilting the head at an angle to the track to reduce the suction a little bit. So the use of the tool can be adapted to get the final result you want with whatever material you're using. And the price is excellent - very fair considering the effort to make a tool.

[@bobainsworth5057]

Fantastic, it does a beautiful job. I still have some ballasting to do so I may pick up one. I wonder if you use a glass screw cap bottle it would help.

[@mpeterll]

A heavier bottle might help, but there's another idea that the manufacturer hinted at, One of his customers didn't have a soda bottle so he glued it to a bucket lid. The wider footprint will probably work better than a heavier bottle.

[@bobainsworth5057]

@@mpeterll A butter bucket, that might work. I guess the choices are endless. Great tool.

[@klaus9909]

Hey Peter and a happy new year to you. How much would be shipping to New Zealand? Unfortunately your website is not able to calculate the shipping by itself.

[@mpeterll]

I believe there's another guy who distributes this in Australia. I think his you-tube channel is "model railroad techniques", or something like that. I might be wrong about this though. I know he presented a video similar to mine a couple of weeks ago but maybe he just bought one for his own use. If you can't get one from him, a lightweight package to NZ normally costs me about $40 for shipping.

[@littlewingpsc27]

Does it only work with dry ballast, or does it also work if you have already applied "wet water" to the dry ballast to prep it before the glue step? I ask only because once you start saturating the dry ballast with the water + alcohol mixture, won't some of the dry ballast dislocate and mess up your perfectly laid ballast work? Also is there a ballast size limit that the nozzle can accept or some ballast materials that work better than others with this device? Is there any kind of suction adjustment either at the tip or at the bottle to regulate the amount of vacuum force being applied? I guess some shop vacs are stronger than others, or is there a certain type of shop vac or suction rating that you need to use with this device? Looks like a great tool to help with ballasting.

[@mpeterll]

The black connector in the attachment set has a collar that turns to regulate the sir flow.

[@davidkoehler136]

brilliant

[@mpetersen6]

Now they really need to come out with a reasonably priced shop vac that is quiet.

[@nickpapagiorgio2253]

Hi Peter, Will you carry the N-Scale version?

[@mpeterll]

The manufacturer released a video the same time as this one that shows an N-scale version. I will make them available as soon as I can get a shipment.

[@nickpapagiorgio2253]

@@mpeterll thanks peter, happy new year

[@michaelcurry4855]

Hi Peter love your show. Can you please send me the info on your vacuum parts. I already have the kit that you need to go with. I basically need to know how much and how you want to be paid. Thanks Michael Curry.

[@mpeterll]

There's a link in the video description.

[@michaelcurry4855]

@@mpeterll. Not that I can see. Tube.

[@mpeterll]

@@michaelcurry4855 Use the "show more" button.

[@Vman7757]

Where do I go to order an N scale vacuum head?

[@mpeterll]

I have the N-scale version available for pre-order in the same place on my web store.

[@Vman7757]

@@mpeterll I just pre ordered a set.

[@alberthofer679]

Happy New Year