Whats the best method of cutting flexi track to size, i thought a dremel but then you cant get a 90deg cut cus the discs are smaller than the body resulting in it being cut at angle.
I still use a Dremel to cut track, even though it cuts on an angle by holding the rail on the outside face of the cutting wheel you can get both rail ends the same length and nice and square, even though they are very robust just don't apply to much pressure on the cutting wheel as held lightly it will do the job.
Xuron track cutters, much less messing about than a Dremel
Spot on Hairygit, it's a snip, well two really ::).Cheers john.
looks like the snips it is. how do they differ from normal snips. is it relativaly easy to snip the N guage track with these, or do you need alot of brute strength.
Quote from: GWR-Kris on March 30, 2012, 02:42:29 PM
looks like the snips it is. how do they differ from normal snips. is it relativaly easy to snip the N guage track with these, or do you need alot of brute strength.
The xuron cutters make cutting flexi track easy.....they cut and leave the profile of the track just needing a very light sanding to remove any burrs....wouldn't be without em.... :thumbsup:
Look around before purchasing as they can vary in price from shop to shop.....sometimes by a couple of quid....
Quote from: hairygit on March 30, 2012, 12:13:01 PM
Xuron track cutters, much less messing about than a Dremel
Xuron cutters work for me, align and snap,a quick rub with a needle file on the rail and hey job done. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
If you want the 'best' way then it has to be a 52 tpi razor saw. Use a small block of wood with grooves in it at the same spacing as the rails to hold the rails rigid while cutting and you get a clean, square cut every time.
Cutting with a Dremel disc will also grind away at the ends of the rail as it passes through and track cutters leave a burr that has to be filed smooth.
Quote from: Chinahand on March 30, 2012, 04:51:02 PM
If you want the 'best' way then it has to be a 52 tpi razor saw. Use a small block of wood with grooves in it at the same spacing as the rails to hold the rails rigid while cutting and you get a clean, square cut every time.
Cutting with a Dremel disc will also grind away at the ends of the rail as it passes through and track cutters leave a burr that has to be filed smooth.
Chinahand I use the wooden block to mark the rail accurately and then it's snips :o. Cheers john.
Xuron cutters, when used upright with the flat side to the side you want to keep, leaves an end that will take a fish-plate without any filing. I've laid over 150' of track using only them.
Don't use them for anything else!
Quote from: oscar on March 30, 2012, 05:36:10 PM
Don't use them for anything else!
They don't like piano wire much, though it did leave a handy little nick in the blade which had been great for wire stripping!
I used to use a razor saw and wooden block, but thanks to the advice on the forum I bought some Xuron cutters and they are the dogs doo-dahs. You can cut on the curve which is not so easy with block/saw
When I started laying the track on my layout,I used a dremel as well.I found the whole task quite laborious and even though I used glasses and eye protection,I used to get hit in the face by tiny,quite hot filings and this one aspect alone caused me to almost buy some setrack curved pieces.It also seriously halted track laying,then I bought a pair of ttrack cutters.
Never again will I use a dremel to cut track.Its so easy to do that in no time at all,I had a complete loop,then another one beside it so I could run my trains in both directions.
Only downside to this is once I had running trains,almost all the other stuff to be done,stopped being done.
I'm now wiring for dcc,have a guess what will once again happen when I complete the wiring?
Must do better.
Lots to do.
Pete
:Class37: :NGaugersRule:
Quote from: Pete Mc on March 30, 2012, 08:16:50 PM
Only downside to this is once I had running trains,almost all the other stuff to be done,stopped being done.
I'm now wiring for dcc,have a guess what will once again happen when I complete the wiring?
Pete
:Class37: :NGaugersRule:
I have absolutely no idea, Pete :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :wave:
I use these:
http://www.ehattons.com/8614/Gaugemaster_Controls_XU2175B_Flexible_track_cutters_XURON_/StockDetail.aspx (http://www.ehattons.com/8614/Gaugemaster_Controls_XU2175B_Flexible_track_cutters_XURON_/StockDetail.aspx)
simples! :thumbsup:
Mark
All this snipping reminds me that I got snipped 40 years ago, after that i always hoped some chick would accuse me of putting her in the family way but it never happened, nowt to do with track though.
Quote from: oldrailbug on March 30, 2012, 09:09:36 PM
All this snipping reminds me that I got snipped 40 years ago, after that i always hoped some chick would accuse me of putting her in the family way but it never happened, nowt to do with track though.
:smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :thumbsup:
Hi,
Saw a youtube guide to track cutting (the other scale - wont swear) but they said that for N scale you cut downwards with snippers rather than across as in their gauge.
Dont know if true/better but might help.
Cheers Weave.
Just thought - maybe you all know that already but hope helps newbies like me. :)
I think for N gauge the recommended way is sideways with the cutters vertical.
Allan
I cut with the cutters vertical..... with the flat side (back) of the cutters facing the piece of rail you want to keep... :thumbsup:
Quote from: Dock Shunter on March 31, 2012, 10:48:41 AM
I cut with the cutters vertical..... with the flat side (back) of the cutters facing the piece of rail you want to keep... :thumbsup:
Me too. Nothing is as quick and easy. No mess or 'sawdust' and very neat.
Me too. Nothing is as quick and easy. No mess or 'sawdust' and very neat. Sawdust What kind of track do you use ;D. Cheers john.
Quote from: painbrook on March 31, 2012, 02:39:15 PM
Sawdust What kind of track do you use ;D. Cheers john.
It's the wooden sleepers that cause it ;)
Hehe. ;D
But you know what i mean... The grains of metal. I hate cleaning up all the tiny nickel sliver grains. I worry that they would ruin a motor if they got in.