QUOTE: Originally posted by cmrproducts I solder all of my joints and have had no kinks in my 2700 feet of track. It has been down now for 5 years and if I were to have problems they should have showed up by now! I use is 7/16 OSB (Orientated Strand Board) for my subroadbed. Now I know that this just goes against the norms but then again I have had no problems. I also use Homasote on top of the OSB and then use cork under most of the mainlines and passing sidings. The OSB is painted on the top and sides with the moisture barrier on the bottom. The Homasote is also painted. Now why don’t I have the normal problems that others are having? Could it be the OSB (due to the large wood chips with the grain set at many different angles? Maybe it expands in all directions and now just one as with dimensional lumber. But the main thing to remember is that it is working. I run a dehumidifier in the summer and try to keep the humidity below 70% and in the winter I try and keep it higher than 50%. BOB H – Clarion, PA
QUOTE: Originally posted by colvinbackshop I'm wondering how many of you solder each and every joint, some joints, or none at all.
QUOTE: I have a five turn, double track helix with EVERY joint soldered and have never had a problem and yet have had a problem on a straight run of about 16', also soldered solid, that did a "bulge thing" this fall. Maybe I need to cut a few expansion joints??!!??