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....

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.

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 . 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

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

I have absolutely no idea, Pete

I use these:

http://www.ehattons.com/8614/Gaugemaster_Controls_XU2175B_Flexible_track_cutters_XURON_/StockDetail.aspx

simples!

Mark