What size drill to open up the track nail holes on Atlas Code 83 flex track?

[zstripe]

Rich,

I gave You that info in the thread You started Feb.8th....''Track Nails for HO scale track-Best Brand''.....#65 to 73 sometimes I Do Not drill a hole......they are sharp enough to start their own hole in the plastic ties if you hold them properly and not try to start them just holding the head......they will bend. Just like using a small bit in a pin vise......you do not stick the bit out so far when drilling a small hole.....they will bend and break. Your thread is on the second page....first one in Layouts,,,,,

Take Care! 

Frank

 

[richhotrain]

zstripe

  

In my case...I use N-scale round head nails or spikes and that equates to a much smaller hole than Rich is using..... The nail head would fall in the hole.

Frank, do you drill pilot holes?  What size drill bit?

What is the length of the N scale nail/spike?

Rich

[RR_Mel]

I have two sizes of HO track nails, flat head (.042”= 58) and round head (.035”=65).  Those would be for clearance, two sizes smaller for holding, 60 and 63.

 

I keep a good stock of those, I’m clumsy!

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[zstripe]

hon30critter

What size bit is recommended for opening up the track nail holes on Atlas Code 83 track?

Dave, 

What are the size of the nails You plan on using? Does anyone own a caliper to measure them? In My case...I use N-scale round head nails or spikes and that equates to a much smaller hole than Rich is using..... The nail head would fall in the hole.

Take Care! 

Frank

[hon30critter]

Thanks Rich!

Cheers!!

Dave

[richhotrain]

Dave, I use a #58 drill bit (0.042) in a pin vise to drill pilot holes for track nails in Atlas Code 83 flextrack. I have done this for years with great results every time.

The use of a 1/16" drill bit (0.0625) is way too big, as you have indicated.

Rich

[hon30critter]

What size bit is recommended for opening up the track nail holes on Atlas Code 83 track?

I tried a 1/16" bit but it is too big. It significantly weakens the Code 83 ties so if the nail was pushed in even slightly too far I'm pretty sure the track gauge would be thrown off.

FYI, the club has decided to use track nails so that if track has to be adjusted it will be easy to do. This is a club layout. Several people will be laying track. You know the rest....

Thanks,

Dave