Anybody tried this ballast spreader?

[C855B]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-Proses-Ballast-Spreader-Distributor-Tool-New/171679129366

Looks intriguing... if it actually works and speeds the process it would be worth the bucks if you have a big job ahead.

[rschaffter]

There was an article years ago in MR about making an H0 one from an Old Spice deodorant container.  AN N Scale one could probably be made form a pill bottle.

I pour ballast between the ties from a folded card and spread it out with a makeup brush, myself...

[Lemosteam]

interested.. One could add a brush to it cut to the desired ballast profile and to make sure the ties are packed.  excess would just roll to the side.  i have been dreading this step, but then again I have to lay track first! 

Wonder how it does around curves and through switches...

[wazzou]

I just use one of these. 

https://www.blackspurtools.co.uk/25mm-paint-pad-with-replacement-pad.html

I put my ballast in a plastic bottle with a spout, purchased at Michael's that allows me to poor the right amount between the rails and I shape the ballast and remove from the tops of the ties with the linked tool.

[rschaffter]

I'll have to give that a try, wazzou; I picked up a sack of those from Dollar Tree recently...

[cgw]

We bought a couple for use at our club.  They work really well.  Two of our elderly members have severe arthritis  and this nifty tool allows them to get a really nice ballast profile with out any effort.   Before we got it they would get very frustrated and were ready to walk.     With it,  it make it easier for them and they are happy campers.   

Take care
 

[nkalanaga]

Rod:  That's how I did mine, only I used an old toothbrush and flat paintbrushes, rather than buy a makeup brush.  The subscription cards from magazines are ideal, and free, as well as being usable for shimming track and insulating joints.

[OldEastRR]

The April MR had an article about a seed-spreader used for ballasting.

[Viperjim1]

I've used a similar one by I believe TMC or something like that and they had other stuff with it to solder rails , and keep track straight while spiking, and to keep proper distance between track and all there tools worked great.

[jnevis]

I had seen that and thought it interesting too.

IIRC WS had a similar device a while back in HO and N.  They also sold powdered glue.  The theory was to mix the glue and ballast, then spread it with the tool and finally spray with a water, soap/alcohol mix to activate the glue.  I never got to use it on my layout, and would be curious if a similar powdered glue was still out there.