Rail clamps -- help!

[Ray Dunakin]

I recently received an order of track and split-jaw rail clamps. What do you use to turn the screws?? I thought it just needed an allen wrench, but I don't have any that fit it, and I've got about a dozen of them.

[ttrigg]

They sell a special Allen wrench "screwdriver". It has a "ball" on the end so that the angle of insertions is of no consequence. There is a metric Allen wrench that will work, a bit cumbersome, and hard to manipulate. I think it was a 4.5(?).

[Capt Bob Johnson]

That balldriver is well worth the 6 or 7 bucks they charge for it. get the 6' long one instead of the shorter one (easier to work around switches with). any decent hardware store should have a regular allen wrench that would work, but that ball driver really makes it nice to work with!

[Tom The Brat]

It's a 6-32 allen cap screw. My ACE hardware had one a allen wrench to fit, but Wal*Mart didn't. The balldriver is very handy.

[Ray Dunakin]

Would a hardware store have that balldriver, or do I need to order it from a hobby dealer?

[ttrigg]

Get it from the same place you got the clamps. That will probably be the fastest, as you've already done business there. Get the 6" driver. It will make life SOooooooo much easier. When picking up a section, for what ever the reason, use it like a "hammar" and whop the rails with the handle right at the joint. Knocks most of the debris out of the socket hole.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I got mine direct from SJ, along with about 300 clamps!

[Anonymous]

I have a ball driver and i can tell you i cannot live without it, to the extent that i keep it my bedroom and rarely if ever lose track of it. You can get it from the people who supply you rail clamps.


Regards Ian

[Capt Bob Johnson]

He's not telling you that Mrs. Ian has him out in the doghouse, so it's no problem keeping it in the bedroom!

[markperr]

You should be able to get a ball driver locally from a home center or hardware store. At the very least, I would think Sears would carry them. I don't think there's much in the way of hand tools that they DON'T stock.

Mark

[Tom The Brat]

Sure, just take one to your local hardware store and they'll find you a driver to fit. It's a standard (US) screw.

[Anonymous]

I would be surprised if you can get the likes of a Hillman ball driver anywhere except from Richard Hillman. i only use Hillman clamps as they are the ones recommended by Jack Verducci.


Listen mate I don't even own a dog.

When my old Golden Retriever, Beau died a few years ago at 14 years I swore i could not stand loosing another good friend, so i will not get another dog, because of this and because we travel a lot and thats no good for the dog.

When my previous Golden Retriever, Sandy died years ago at 16 years i swore i would never have another dog but i relented with a new wife and a new life and I am glad i did..


rgds Ian .

[ttrigg]

Ian:

I second your motion:
Nothing like getting the real thing, the one tool specifically designed for the job, especially since it will "flex" at just the right torque.
Mine gives a little "flex" when I have it tight enough. One time I deliberately tried to over tighten the clamp and the driver started to "bow" out, as if to say "Dummy you got it tight already!"

[Anonymous]

Yes i repreat i cannot carry on with my layout without my ball driver from Hillman clamps.

Rgds ian

[Tom The Brat]

I expect Split-Jaw will sell you a standard ball-driver. I have one. Very handy. Of course, in countries with sensible measuring systems, you might not have a standard "7/64" balldriver. I emailed him last spring to ask, but I can't seem to find his reply anywhere.