I have a question about bending the flex track is there a tool that you would need or does it bend like ho scale track i am setting up a small layout in the back yard and need to know.
thanks in advance
If you want to bend HO, wrong forum.
If you want to bend G Gauge code 332/code 250 then this is a great tool! http://www.cocry.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TRAIN-LI-USA
I have used it in test only but works very well and bought most of what this on that page! I am a happy camper!!!
NOTE: I am not in anyway associated with this firm, just a happy customer.
Toad
Nick:
As for your questions: 1) No. It does NOT bend by hand like HO/N etc. I use LGB "flex" brass rails. Then come in ~5ft sections. 2) I use an older Aristo rail bender. It bends one rail at a time. I bend each rail to the same radius approximating the centerline of the curve. Then the rails fight each other a little bit, but I end up with the curve that I want. There is a rail bender that bends both rails at the same time on the market now, don't remember who makes it. I've herd tell that aluminum rail can be bent by hand, but have no experience with it.
For the long straight always, I solder two sections into a 10 ft section which can be "flexed" ever so slightly so that in a ten foot section I can move the centerline by about 2~3 inches, something that is near impossible with sections track.
Bending your own rail has several advantages. Flex rail is more economical than sectional track. You can make the non-standard curves you need. Longer rails mean fewer rail joints, thus less likelihood for a wheel to "pick" a joint and jump track.
Tom Trigg
I use the dual pro train li bender on both brass and stainless steel 332 track. It has level bubbles for keeping the track side to side level while bending. I also use those for balasting. Its a very handy tool although as mentioned above, bending can be done with a single rail bender. It just takes more time plus you have to worry about gauge etc. With the dual rail bender you do have to cut the web between the plastic ties (and remove the ties screws on aristo track) before bending. I've even straightened track with this bender. Check with your local club to see if they have one you could borrow for the short time it takes.
Just one other word of caution - if you do try to bend 332 rail without a bender then beware of twisting. Rail is getting too expensive to have to throw out if it gets twisted beyond what the plastic ties will bring back in shape.
Rex
Rex in Pinetop wrote: Just one other word of caution - if you do try to bend 332 rail without a bender then beware of twisting. Rail is getting too expensive to have to throw out if it gets twisted beyond what the plastic ties will bring back in shape. Rex
I have to agree with Rex about the twisting and KINKING when trying to bend by hand. I'm sure it is a lot easier to bend both rails at the same time, but I got my bender berfore they announced the bender Rex uses.
The lighter rail codes 225/250 supposedly can be bent by hand, but I'd think it would be a pain. 332 cannot be bent by hand because of the larger cross section, just would be a sieries of kinks..... I use a Train-Li dual rail bender, it's a bit higher in price than some of the others, but boy is it slick to use. I've been bending Aristo Stainless with it and actually opened up some 4' diameter pieces to fit a decreasing radius curve that was in need of about a 6" piece of 6' diameter to close the gap.
Good luck on your build
Mark
G flex track is nothing like HO or N flex. You have to bend each rail to the desired curve (or very close to it) and then assemble rails and ties. It is easiest to build sub sections at a workbench then move them to the railroad. There are special tools for rail bending, or you can go to the hardware store and buy $10 worth of odds and ends and build your own. In any event, it is best to not try to bend the rail by hand, use the tool and save yourself the hassle.
Good luck and keep us posted of your progress.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
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