In my ignorance I've bought both Code 55 and code 80 track.
I want to stay with Code 55 if I can as I've spent a fortune on turnouts but now I cannot seem to find any second and third radius double curves or double straights in Code 55, am I missing something here.
I know I can buy flexy track in code 55 but I would prefer the double curves and out of preference I don't wish to lift the code 55 turnouts.
Any advice gratefully received
Barry
Code 55 is part of the Streamline range which only comes as turnouts, crossings and flexitrack. This also applies to Code 80 Streamline.
The fixed radius curves and rigid straights only come as code 80 Setrack :thumbsup:
Paul
If you want help in laying the curves in code 55 flexitrack, buy a tracksetta (type it in on eBay or whatever). They make it super easy to get smooth curves.
Many thanks to those who replied and I have to admit that I had never heard of tracksetta.
Anyway I'm going to place an order for someone but it occurs to me that I will have to cut some of the flexy track so that leads me to my next question.
Is it better to use a fine blade saw or track cutters. I see that with track cutters there are two types, a vertical cut model and another which I assume is a horizontal cut which type is the best?
Once cut using cutters does the line have to be dressed, if so what type of file or stone is recommended.
Thank you.
Barry
Hi Barry,
The preferred cutters are Xuron and the cuts are made vertically for N gauge. Please ensure that the cut is vertical or you won't get full contact between the track ends and/or unsightly gaps between joins which can affect running.
Some folks swear you have to file the rail ends ( needle files are good for this) but I have never found the need :-\
If you consider the saw route, you need a razor saw and then it's best to make a small jig from 2 pieces of wood to hold the track while you saw it. This is fine and dandy on straight track but presents problems with curved track. I used to use that method until I discovered the Xuron cutters (thanks to this forum)
I cut mine with a Dremel cut-off disc, with suitable eye protection of course ;)
If you don't already have a Dremel or similar multitool handy then I agree the Xuron cutters are the way to go.
Paul
Cutters ordered, thank you both.
Barry
Quote from: Bassman on March 19, 2014, 09:54:52 PM
Cutters ordered, thank you both.
Barry
Hi Barry,
I'm sure you won't regret it, but please be sure to read the instructions and don't use them for cutting anything else :no:
If snipping off small pieces of track (and you will) I'd suggest eye protection anyway as the bits ricochet around your head if you can't grip them :goggleeyes: :o
And use the Xuron track cutters the right way round as shown in the instructions. Then you will get a super clean cut on the piece of track you want to use - and a mashed end on the offcut. The offcut can be re-used by turning the cutters over and clipping 1cm off.
Again, I disagree with that as I just use mine and affix rail joiners each side of the cut.
No 'mashed ends' for me :confused2:
Quote from: newportnobby on March 20, 2014, 09:06:38 AM
Again, I disagree with that as I just use mine and affix rail joiners each side of the cut.
No 'mashed ends' for me :confused2:
I wonder if you are being lucky here Mick? The Xuron instructions point it out as do most of the videos. I didn't have a single cut where both sides of the cut were perfect - both rails cut perfectly on the side of the cut that is on the piece of track being installed - but the side of the cut on the "off-cut" side is deformed to the shape of the Xuron blades. The clean side also needed an invisible burr removing with a single pass of a file before I could get Peco rail joiners on reliably. The off-cut side would have never accepted a rail joiner without clipping a small bit off with the rail reversed 180 degrees.
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 20, 2014, 09:15:20 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 20, 2014, 09:06:38 AM
Again, I disagree with that as I just use mine and affix rail joiners each side of the cut.
No 'mashed ends' for me :confused2:
I wonder if you are being lucky here Mick? The Xuron instructions point it out as do most of the videos. I didn't have a single cut where both sides of the cut were perfect - both rails cut perfectly on the side of the cut that is on the piece of track being installed - but the side of the cut on the "off-cut" side is deformed to the shape of the Xuron blades. The clean side also needed an invisible burr removing with a single pass of a file before I could get Peco rail joiners on reliably. The off-cut side would have never accepted a rail joiner without clipping a small bit off with the rail reversed 180 degrees.
No luck involved, Chris :no:
My Xuron cutters are the 2175B version and on the card backing from the packaging it states "Quick clean cuts" and "No post - cut filing"
They just work :thumbsup:
Mine are PXU2175B and one side of the blades is a perfect bypass cut which produces the perfect square cut they promise - but the other is an angled wedge - this side deforms my off-cut rail.
There are at least two different pack types. Mine is yellow and blue and says Xuron Corp on it, but I have also seen Xurons in Gaugemaster packaging and I think even one other tool companies packs. Maybe some don't have the wedge angled back face on the blades?
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 19, 2014, 11:23:56 PM
And use the Xuron track cutters the right way round as shown in the instructions. Then you will get a super clean cut on the piece of track you want to use - and a mashed end on the offcut. The offcut can be re-used by turning the cutters over and clipping 1cm off.
1mm surely??
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 19, 2014, 11:23:56 PM
And use the Xuron track cutters the right way round as shown in the instructions. Then you will get a super clean cut on the piece of track you want to use - and a mashed end on the offcut. The offcut can be re-used by turning the cutters over and clipping 1cm off.
1mm surely??
Quote from: Railwaygun on March 20, 2014, 02:51:43 PM
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 19, 2014, 11:23:56 PM
And use the Xuron track cutters the right way round as shown in the instructions. Then you will get a super clean cut on the piece of track you want to use - and a mashed end on the offcut. The offcut can be re-used by turning the cutters over and clipping 1cm off.
1mm surely??
I think 1mm would still leave a mashed end. 1 cm is far safer - it's only a piece of off-cut - you may never even use it, but at least it will be a piece of clean track.
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 20, 2014, 03:48:50 PM
Quote from: Railwaygun on March 20, 2014, 02:51:43 PM
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 19, 2014, 11:23:56 PM
And use the Xuron track cutters the right way round as shown in the instructions. Then you will get a super clean cut on the piece of track you want to use - and a mashed end on the offcut. The offcut can be re-used by turning the cutters over and clipping 1cm off.
1mm surely??
I think 1mm would still leave a mashed end. 1 cm is far safer - it's only a piece of off-cut - you may never even use it, but at least it will be a piece of clean track.
The video shows cutting off a small chunk of rail, 2-3mm, and this is my practice as well. 1 cm is excessive as Xuron cutters are extremely precise ( unless you try and cut piano wire / nails etc)
Quod erat demonstrandum
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/albums/NewportNobb_shy;y/Dir_2/medium_11077.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=11077)
Quote from: newportnobby on March 21, 2014, 12:00:32 PM
Quod erat demonstrandum
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/albums/NewportNobb_shy;y/Dir_2/medium_11077.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=11077)
Thanks Mick. Not the same packaging as mine. And really no argument. I'm sorry I even mentioned it. Should have known better at my age, and if someone doesn't agree about the "wrong side" deformation then, at the end of the day, it just doesn't matter.
Chris
Quote from: ParkeNd on March 21, 2014, 03:43:57 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 21, 2014, 12:00:32 PM
Quod erat demonstrandum
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/albums/NewportNobb_shy;y/Dir_2/medium_11077.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=11077)
Thanks Mick. Not the same packaging as mine.
Pretty much the same as mine, though. Same ref number too. Does that mean I have the Newport Nobby non-crush-on-both-sides patented cutters?
In no way, shape or form am I saying that folks do not suffer deformation on one side of the cut :no: I wouldn't be so presumptive.
I'm just saying my cutters 'do what it says on the tin', as it were.
I heard about them on the forum when I first started here, and think they're the best thing since sliced rail bread, but maybe I struck lucky in that wherever I ordered them from (memory fails me :-[) stocked this particular type.
Mind you, I still suffer from Fishplate Finger :'(
Quote from: newportnobby on March 21, 2014, 04:36:50 PM
In no way, shape or form am I saying that folks do not suffer deformation on one side of the cut :no: I wouldn't be so presumptive.
I'm just saying my cutters 'do what it says on the tin', as it were.
I heard about them on the forum when I first started here, and think they're the best thing since sliced rail bread, but maybe I struck lucky in that wherever I ordered them from (memory fails me :-[) stocked this particular type.
Mind you, I still suffer from Fishplate Finger :'(
Mine also does what it says on the tin - but what I picked up on was
"Again, I disagree with that as I just use mine and affix rail joiners each side of the cut.
No 'mashed ends' for me "For a newbie to carefully match two rails for a join - mark it up carefully, then pick up the cutters the wrong way round through lack of familiarity and mash the side he wants - is possibly going to annoy someone if it happens. But, that isn't my problem and I should let people get on with it without comment - especially if it isn't going to matter which way round they position the Xuron to make the cut. It's not going to be my layout.
So no issue Mick - lets just make model railways.