I am using both Atlas and PECO code 80 track and haing a difficult time installing rail joiners on the track ends. I find the PECO joiners to be easier. any other tips?
Dave
First, I see this is your first post so . I don't know if this will help you or not, but Atlas sells a tool called an "All Scales Rail Joiner Sidekick" item #0401. It's made with three prongs, one each for O, HO and N. You install one end of the rail joiner in the slot in the prong then slilde it on to the track. It list for $5.25 on Atlas website but I'm sure you can order it from your LHS.
If you want to check it out, just go to the Atlas website and on the menu bar go to the HO pull down menu bar, then at the bottom far right click on Miscellaneous, it will be toward the bottom of the page.
I got mine when Atlas was giving them away at the National NMRA Convention in Indy. I tried it out and it seems to work pretty good.
Hope this helps,
Ralph
I'm not sure this will apply...
I have code 83 track but instead of the larger Atlas joiners I used the N80 joiners (mostly Atlas, some Walthers). Extremely tight (but nice and small used the tip: take a short piece of your rail size and file the end of the rail webs to a slight angle. Push your rail joiner part way on and wiggle a bit to open it up just slightly. Test fit on your track to ensure it is easier to put on but still nice and tight.
In my case I then soldered most of the joints (unless at turnouts that I chose to keep free for maintenance.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thanks Ralph. Just ordered one
The Atlas tool was little help. I thingk that I need to stay with Atlas track and Atlas joiners. These n gauge track joiners are still very difficult to install.
Dave,
i use Peco joiners for both code 55 and code 80 N scale Peco track. if you use a file to create a small 45 degree angle on each side of the bottom flange the rails, the joiners seem to go onto the rails much more easily.
Good luck, Dave!
ofile the bottom flange at a 45 take a small file and
I use Atlas Code 80 N scale joiners on my Code 83 HO scale track as the N scale joiners hold the rails nice and tight and almost disappear once the track is painted and ballasted. I do have to "pre-size" the N scale joiners by sliding them onto a short length of Code 83 rail that has its end tapered to fit inside the N scale joiner. A similar piece of Code 80 rail could be tapered to serve the same purpose. I would recommend making a handle for the piece of rail using either tape wrapped around the rail or a wood dowel with an appropriate size hole drilled in one end. Easier on the fingertips! Be patient and you'll enjoy the results.
Hornblower