Somewhere in the last few years I read about a technique for curving Micro Engineering flex track. It said something about loosening the attachment of the ties to the rails by running a pencil back and forth on the ties while the track is lying upside down on the work bench. After doing this, it said, the track wasn’t as stubborn as it usually is in taking a curve. Does anyone recall this technique? Does anyone recall where it was described?
Thanks,
markalan
I’ve never heard of this technique before but I’ve had very good results using “Ribbonrail” alignment gauges to form curves in ME Flex Track.
Anxious to see what others say,
Wayne
I have zero experience with the product, but from reading so many posts on it, I think I would seriously consider making curved ‘fences’ out of 1/2" plywood. I would make several radii, drill holes so tha screws or pins could slide through them snugly and into a workbench surface, and then use the curved outer surface as a guide by pressing the track lengths against it. I might even want a tool over the track to keep it level on the surface so that it doesn’t pop up vertically and break it free of the tiny spike heads. Maybe that tool could be the next ribbon of the same plywood, but this time with the inner face that was originally against the outer fence surface when it was all one piece. Over it would be another layer to act as a flange to catch the ties to keep it from lifting during deformation.
Crandell
Like the others responding so far, I have never heard of this technique, but there are other techniques and tools available to assist in froming and holding curves in flex track.
I have never used ME Flex Track, but I have used Atlas flex track extensively and Peco flex track infrequently. As Wayne says, the Ribbonrail track alignment gauge is an essential tool in my opinion. You can buy these metal track alignment gauges in 2" radius increments, ranging from 16" radius to 48" radius in HO scale.
Rich
The technique for curving m.e. flextrack was in the Dream Plan Build video Volume 13. Basically you get a scrap piece of plywood, attach a 1 by 2 backstop board down one side. Then draw your radius 1/2 tie width from the backstop. Take a small piece of wood ( like a paint stirrer from home depot or any small piece, and rub the end of the piece against the edge of the ties, with the flextrac against the 1 by 2 backstop.
Continue rubbing each end of flex, until you get the desired curve, then work on the center of the flex. According to video, the good thing about using m.e. (weathered) is it will hold the curve, unlike other flextrack (atlas etc.)
Hope this helps.
Charlie
Curving ME track isn’t all that difficult, but if you grab a stick and think you’re going to flex it like a piece of Atlas flex, you’ll soon regret that choice.
I had never used ME flex…I simply started at one end of the stick and started working it little by little along the length of the piece until I acheived the radius I wanted. Once I had it curved, I got my eye down as close as possible to the railhead and sighted down the radius. It was easy to see where the curve needed a little more attention. Here is a photo of my results…(1st layout)
Don Z.
Rich,
I also use Ribbonrail straight sections, they not only help in keeping the track straight but they act as a great heat sink when soldering rail joiners. The straight sections also come in different lengths but can’t remember exactly what sizes I use.
Wayne
WOW!
But a different standard of construction from what a LION would use:
LIONS do not use roadbed… It costs too much money, and besides, this is a model of a SUBWAY TUNNEL, where the ties are laid in concrete. When finished the nails will be painted black, the third rails will be installed, and the tunnel walls modeled. Still it is still a four track mane lion on a similar curve.
Charlie,
Yes, thank you, that’s the info I was looking for.
I appreciate all the feedback on this question. I’ll be laying ME track for the first time this weekend and just wanted to get my ducks in a row. I have Ribbonrail gauges I will be using. And, recently, I noticed Fast Tracks has added SweepSticks to their line of products. They appear to serve the same purpose as Ribbonrail. And, they will make them in any radius you might want. The first run of any particular radius costs $5 extra but then that radius is available to anyone else who, in the future, might want it and there will be no initial set up cost. I may test as few of these too.
Thanks everyone,
Markalan