ME flex curve problem

[DeadheadGreg]

Hey, so I've gotten the hang of curving this stuff down, but my problem is joining sections on a curve; the ends of the sections don't hold the curve the way the inner parts do.  I guess there just isn't enough support?  Anyway, I was just wondering how you all make smooth, continuous curves with your Micro Engineering flextrack.  Can I just cut off the extra ends that wont hold the curve?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[concretelackey]

I beleive the "general" concensus on here would be to solder first and flex later.

[selector]

Hey, so I've gotten the hang of curving this stuff down, but my problem is joining sections on a curve; the ends of the sections don't hold the curve the way the inner parts do.  I guess there just isn't enough support?  Anyway, I was just wondering how you all make smooth, continuous curves with your Micro Engineering flextrack.  Can I just cut off the extra ends that wont hold the curve?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks

What you are encountering at the ends is a problem with all forms of flex to my knowledge.  As suggested, you can line them up really well, fix them in place so they don't move, and then solder the ends together.  The trick, though, is to stagger the moving rails so that you have to solder them about 3" into one of the two pieces.  Slide both into one of the sections, and solder there.  When you flex them to form the curve, you'll find it will work much better.

[DeadheadGreg]

well the ME stuff holds the curve on its own, except for the last inch or two on each end.  I guess I should have tried to solder it first...  I think I might go back and pull the two pieces I've got down up and solder them and then re-lay them to see how it works.

i've just seen really good pics of people with the stuff and afaik they didn't solder

[cudaken]

 I use Atlas code 100, flex track. This is what has worked well for me. I lay the first section going into the turn and spike down all of it but the last 6 inches. I lay all the moving rails on the inside of the turn. Inside rail will be sticking out farther than the outside rail. I trim the inside so it is apx the same length of the outside rail.

 

 Next new section, moving rail again on the inside! Trim off one section of ties, added the joiners and then solder the two together. I use to alternate the moving and none moving rails, but lost a lot of ties.

 

 Many people here will warn you about expansion problems with out gaps. I am not one to say they our wrong. My self, main bench has been up for two years with no expansion issues.

 

 My new section, all the turns have been done in the fashion I listed. First test run, not a single problem!

 

 Cuda Ken