I hate insulated rail joiners so am leaving them out on my small layout. I have 2 areas where they should be used e.g. crossovers so I've left a suitable small gap, have purchased some Milliput, and intend to fill/file those gaps.
However, reading the instructions for Milliput it seems quite hazardous stuff to skin and eyes so has anyone got decent tips for this product, please?
Mick.
I tend to have a box of disposable plastic gloves as epoxy resin causes irritation and an old knife for modelling purposes that you never use with food . There are some harsh curing agents in the epoxy that cause irritation to skin
Hope helps you out
Yes. I've used it to model dry stone walling on my layout. It sets rock hard, and I can't see it being suitable for the job you intend, where an amount of flexibility would surely be required.
Just sayiin
A Hornby Minitrix signal cabin on my layout, with a carved Milliput lower half. Seriously, it's like concrete now!
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/albums/Bealman's_Album/Dir_7/main_17466.jpg)
First line of advice these days is generally "don't buy Milliput" - there are dozens of much cheaper alternative brands of epoxy putty... (Sorry...)
I've used the Hobbycraft own brand stuff which was about 1/3 the price...
Quote from: Bealman on August 15, 2026, 01:13:42 PMIt sets rock hard, and I can't see it being suitable for the job you intend, where an amount of flexibility would surely be required.
agreed...
I don't think it's the right material for the job. For the task, we used a flexible mould making resin (it was a games workshop product IIRC) - equally nasty to handle but remains flexible when cured.
Shouldn't be necessary to handle it. When I've used it (and similar repair putty stuff from Lidl which is much better value) I simply slice a tiny amount off with a scalpel and manipulate it into place using the blade.
To be honest though, I'd persevere with the isolating joiners which will maintain proper rail alignment. I've never had a problem with them.
Have to say, I've never even considered using filler to fill in a rail gap.
On the occasions where I haven't used IRJs, if I've been concerned about rails moving (through expansion, running or track cleaning) and making contact, I've just glued a sliver of plasticard in the gap.
My preferred multi purpose glue. / filler is glue'n'glaze Will stay flexible in your application
I gave up using milliput for most things the moment my stepdaughter introduced me to good quality polymer modelling clay. With that I can make much better things and I've done stuff like a OO gauge model of our cat with it just fine, no way milliput would have worked.
Putting miliput aside for the moment, do you actually need to fill the gap? I have isolated sections without using any joiners where the track is held by a sleeper close to the end so not likely to move. Confession, this was years ago when I was skint with the option of retrofitting a joiner if it became necessary. The layout in question survived over 20 years and I cannot recall any issues.
Locos bridge the gap (including 0-6-0s) but there is the odd random derailment of 4 wheeled wagons when being pushed across the gap and, as it is intended to show this layout, that's a no-no in my book.
@Newportnobby must be a huge gap and/or well out of alignment if it causes derailments. I'd be looking to lift and replace the track (with IRJs fitted).
I'll agree with that. I can push wagons over IRJs no problem.
I paint my IRJs with brown stripes where they lie above sleepers to help hide them.
It works for me.
Bob
Quote from: Bealman on August 17, 2026, 09:21:17 AMI'll agree with that. I can push wagons over IRJs no problem.
You come and fit 'em then :P
I gave up on Milliput some time ago as a model filler. I couldn't get it to stick and it just fell out when I tried to smooth it down. I use Humbrol filler now which I find preferable. There's also 'Gorilla Filler' which I've never tried but Gorilla glues are usually very good.
Cheers,
Chris
Oh, I agree. They're horrible things to work with. (IRJs from earlier post(