Hello MRRDER'S!! and Happy New Year!!!!! Here is hope for a prosperous and safe new year, may your model train layout ideas come true, I'm trying to make my ideas come true with this question, and here it is, I'm building a lift out bridge in front of my enterance to my train room, now I have everything build and ready to be placed, what I want to know since I don 't have a drimmel tool to cut my track at my lift out bridge, could I use my track cutter tool? Im working in N scale . Take Care trainsrme1
Of course, assuming its a Xuron or like quality rail cutter. In any case, you will have to "dress up" the cut with a fine file.
Probably unneeded advice.....cut the rails a bit longer than needed and check the fit and then cut more til you get it right. Said another way, you don't want to be in a rush and "save time" and end up cutting it too short.
Let us know how it works out!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
TrainsRMe1 I don 't have a drimmel tool to cut my track at my lift out bridge, could I use my track cutter tool?
You have to have a "free end" of the rail you're cutting using any kind of displacement-type cutter. In other words the part of the rail you're cutting that is on the "bevel" side of the cutter is going to move laterally when you squeeze the handles. If your track is alreaduy laid you will probably damage a few inches of track when the rail expands and will rip out the plastic "spikes" holding it down.
Careful cutting with a Zona saw, very fine tooth count, would be a good choice. Cut carefully and hold down the top of the rail with a weight or piece of wood clamped to secure the rails from pulling out of the plastic spikes.
IF the track has not been cpompletely laid across the bridge, of course you can trim the ends with the rail nipper. File carefully to make a nice bevel to help guide the wheels across the gap.
Good Luck, Ed
I had a jig amongst my modeling tools in the 70s. I don't know what ever happened to that jig but I wish I still had it.
It was a piece of aluminum that had slots and laid over the track holding the rails firmly in place. Then one could take a newer razor saw and cut the rails rather quickly where needed.
I haven't found another one but I don't suppose one of those jigs would be very hard to make.
Many ways to address the situation as mentioned here. But I wish I still had that tool for the times in a pinch.
TF
A Dremel type tool is available with accesorys from Harbor Freight for $10 ussually. Got one to use in the real world just to try out, worked fine, and yes I have a few real Dremels too.
Track fiddlerIt was a piece of aluminum that had slots and laid over the track holding the rails firmly in place. Then one could take a newer razor saw and cut the rails rather quickly where needed.
The Kadee coupler gauge works pretty well for that purpose, too, although you'll likely have to hold it in-place while making the cut, if you're using a saw.
Wayne
That's a good idea.
Thanks Wayne
TrainsRMe1could I use my track cutter tool? Im working in N scale .
TrainsRMe1: Reading your original post, it sounds like you built the track in place for the lift-out section, and now you need to cut gaps to make it removeable.
Is this the case?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi Kevin, You are correct, I want a clean cut of my tracks, I do have excellent track cutters though,
Hi Mobleman44 I do have Xuron track cutters, I hope to continue with this project over the weekend, right now both my wife and I are dealing with possible Covid, talking about feeelin' yuccky!!!! we get our test tomorrow!
Lastspikemike TrainsRMe1 Hi Kevin, You are correct, I want a clean cut of my tracks, I do have excellent track cutters though, The track cutters require removal of too much rail if your track is already in place. Two cuts are required to get two flat and square ends. Use a saw or cut off disc tool.
TrainsRMe1 Hi Kevin, You are correct, I want a clean cut of my tracks, I do have excellent track cutters though,
The track cutters require removal of too much rail if your track is already in place. Two cuts are required to get two flat and square ends.
Use a saw or cut off disc tool.
To my way of thinking, a saw or cut off disc tool is much too violent. If it were me, I would stick with the track cutters.
Alton Junction
TrainsRMe1 I want a clean cut of my tracks, I do have excellent track cutters though,
TrainsRMe1: The Orlando N-Trak club built a new display layout over the last ten years and cut the gaps between the modules after the track was laid. Some of the gaps are on curves and angles, but it all works and aligns perfectly.
- - The new layout is not N-trak, but the group incorporated with that name back in the 1980s - -
Their process involves soldering about 2" of rail to PC boards at the joints. Then they cut the rail and PC board with a smooth industrial cutting blade in an oscilating saw tool. They pack the area with hard artists sculpting clay (not sure what kind) before the cut to act as a heat sink and some support.
The results are perfect, and I have never seen N scale trains runs across open track joints so perfectly.
I know it would be more work than you set out to do, but their results have impressed me everytime I see the layout.
These pictures show a couple of the joints between modules on this layout.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Lastspikemike How?
How?
Never saw this tool before. Looks like a trouble saver in the right circumstance.
Mike: why dont you post pictures and step by steps of all these great thechniques you have rather than just keep telling people their methods are wrong, wont work, or are poor ways of getting the job done.
This whole rouitine of yours has become very routine and I am so tired of it all and it is time for you to stop answering questions or answer with something useful for as change.
I am sure we would all love a change of attitude from you where you share your work and take pride in your train set up.