Cutting rails to isolate the frog on an N-scale Peco electrofrog turnout

[PDizzle]

I would like to hook up Tam Valley Frog Juicers to my Peco Code 55 N-scale electrofrog turnouts.  To isolate the frog requires cutting through the frog guard rails, which are a continuation with the closure rails. 

What is the best tool to use for this?  Does Dremel make a cutting wheel that is small enough in diameter to make the cut without also cutting into the stock rails and the guard rails? Or am I better off using a jeweler's saw? 

Many thanks for any suggestions!

   

[PennCentral99]

Why not use insulfrogs? Isn't this what they're designed for?

[gregc]

PDizzle

To isolate the frog requires cutting through the frog guard rails, which are a continuation with the closure rails. 

don't you mean the rails just beyond the frog, not the closure rails,.   or use insulated rail joiners

[PDizzle]

Thanks, PennCentral and Greg.  My description of the issue wasn't very clear.  I need to cut the rails on the point side of the frog, between the frog and the closure rails.  The Peco electrofrog rail is continuous, from the point, through the closure rail, to the frog.  So to issolate the frog requires cutting the rail on the side of the frog opposite the frog rails, between the closure rails and the frog.  That is why the clearances are so tight.  Hopefully this additional description helps.

Charles Steadman posted a picture of the cut on Allan Gartner's "Wiring for DCC" website and said he did the cut with a Dremel.  I'm just not sure how.  

Again, any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Paul

 

tinn  thleorslrrai

[ROBERT BRABAND]

A finer, more delicate cut is made with a jeweler's saw:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Olson-Saw-5-in-Jewelers-Saw-with-Wood-Handle-SF63525/305268098

Home Depot above, Hobby Lobby, etc. Buy an extra set of blades - they are delicate, delicate things. 

Also, use a piece of styrene (not white, not black, grey is best) inserted into the cut with CA. Trim the styrene to match the contour of the rail. Perfect.

Robert

[PDizzle]

Thank you, Robert!  This is really helpful.

Paul

 

 

[Marc_Magnus]

I have modified in the past a few Peco N scale code 55

In fact because I found the isolated plastic joiners out of scale I modified them

Today I use exclusively home build Fastrack turnouts in code 55 

I simply used the Fastrack method with a jeweller saw to cut slot in the wing rail and in the two frog rail

This end with a isolate frog from the rest of the turnout

To avoid any stress on the turnout when cutting the rails I put the turnouts in a modeler pin vise between two plastic board

If I remember you need to cut of also the Peco wire which are under the frog

On the Fastrack site you can find excellent videos for how to do it www.handlaidtrack.com

 

[josephbw]

Last year at a train show, I bought a metal cutting disk for my Dremel that was embedded with very small diamonds. It cuts through about anything, even your fingers. But it leaves a very small kerf. It works great but you have to be very careful not to get it off-center or it will grab and you can lose control.

Joe

[PDizzle]

Thanks, Joe!  i'll be carefull with my fingers!

Paul