I am using Shinohara track and the track laying is going quite well. One frustration I am having is with the rail pulling away from the other piece as I curve it. Is there a secret method of keeping them together through the bending proccess other than soldering? I am soldering a lot with good results but I don't want to do this on turnouts. Would a light squeeze with vicegrips work to hold the rails together until the track is bent and in place? Any suggestions welcome for this flextrack rookie.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Yes, use a tiny drill bit and drill a couple of holes in ties if they don't already have them. Insert at least two strategically placed and staggered track nails through the holes and down into something solid below them...hopefully plywood. Homasote may be okay. But the trick is to keep the track ends from moving at all.
If you don't want to drill holes, or not into the ties, simply slide the track nails tight up against the edges of ties and press them in so that they anchor the ties that way. Or drill beside them and insert the nails.
Many ways to skin a cat.
-Crandell
Way to go! You're much faster than I, but you have at least as much in the way of satisfaction when it all works.
I bought a bag of clamps from one of the big box home improvement stores . They work well to hold track in place, and easier than drill holes.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR