I have discovered I made a mistake and now I need to take apart part of my layout. My problem is that I have soldered the joiners in the section, and now I need to separate the track. Any hints or tips as to the best way to unsolder and pull the track apart?
Richard
I just cut them out with my rail snips. It makes every piece of flex slightly shorter, oh well.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
You could heat the joiners with a soldering iron until the solder melts and then use a flat blade screw driver to push the joiners on to the other rail.
Scott
You really need to grow a third hand. I did that on my last layout and my future ex-wife was unwilling to help and wanted me out of the house ASAP. From that I learned never to solder rail joiners to turnouts.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
You can cut through the joiner between the pieces of rail with a Dremel cutoff disc, then heat and remove the half joiner from the end of the rail. You lose half the thickness of the cutoff disc from each piece of track.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
I cut thru the joiner,at the rail joint, with dremal,cut off wheel.Heat the half of joiner whilr pushing with small screwdriver or awl. 99 precent of them come off clean enuff to replace joiner and go again
Ah, I never thought to cut and splice. As always, thanks for the help!
Exactly what I did when I had to tear down my last layout. I reused it all just fine.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Did that some years ago on the club layout using a Dremel and thin diamond cutoff wheel. Left each joiner half in place. Stuck some thing styrene in place.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
radio Shack desolering braid
"Desoldering braid removes solder quickly and easily. Just press the braid onto the connection with a hot iron and the solder wicks up into the braid."
Be carefull though, because the part of the braid that wicks up the solder is hot hot hot for a few seconds
Bear "It's all about having fun."
babefluff You could heat the joiners with a soldering iron until the solder melts and then use a flat blade screw driver to push the joiners on to the other rail.
Alton Junction
If you cut the rail with a dremel, you might find the gap a bit wide upon reassembly. Take a tip from the old time track workers and use a "Dutchman". A short piece of rail inserted into the new joiner to fill the gap.
I have done that on several occasions and if done carefully, the joint will be no problem at all. Besides, it adds "character" to the track work and I sort of enjoy and bit of bobbing and weaving with the associated clattering and banging. At least as long as operating dependability does not become an issue.
Be happy in your work.
Charlie
Well, I did it. I pulled up the offending track, spliced where needed, heated and removed on the turnouts, and bingo, it is done. I am feeling pretty good about it. Again, thanks to all for your suggestions and help.
I've done this more times than I care to admit..........
Drive a nail into the workbench. Put the track over the nail with the nail a few inches from the end that needs the joiners removed. This will eliminate the need for that third hand.
Take a pair of pliers (long nose are best) and grasp the end on the joiner. With your other hand hold a 40w iron to the side of the joiner. The joiner will quickly come off as you tug on it with the pliere.
Have a wet sponge/rag to quickly cool off the rail ends so as to not soften the ties. Oh, and throw the used joiners in the trash - do not attempt to reuse.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central