What tool should I use to cut Shinohara code 83 flextrack?
Thanks in advance
the best thing to use is a dremel tool cut-off wheel…then there’s the flex track dikes that are popular, and if all else fails, then a razor saw will work but it’s pretty labor intensive…be sure you file any burrs from the ends of the rails with a jeweler’s file once you’ve made the cuts…chuck
I use the Xuron rail nipper. Works great. Just use the right side of the tool - it cuts one side smooth and the other gets the burr, so you want to keep the clean side on the part you want to keep! File touchup is always a good idea. And NEVER cut anything harder than rail with the tool, you will quickly destroy it. I have a pair of old diagonal cutters I use to snip the music wire from the Tortoise machines.
–Randy
I’ve always used the dremel tool/cutoff disk and a small file.
I have a rail cutter, a dremmel and a rail saw. Most of the flex I cut with the dremmel, but that was because it took forever for the rail cutter to arrive. I used the rail saw for cutting EZ track.
I prefer the rail cutter.
Flush cutting pliers from Radio Shack. A cheaper version of the Xuron pliers (both in cost and quality) but work very nicely for rail, plus there are Radio Shacks pretty much everywhere.
Dave H.
XURON rail nipper. It is the best!
Trevor
I have always used a cutoff disk with a Dremel. Works well for me. Since a Dremel has many other uses I would suggest you get one and try it. If it doesn’t work well for you, try the nippers.
Enjoy
Paul
I’ll add my vote to the Dremel. I don’t know how I’ve survived all these years without it.
For my N Scale track, I found the flexible cable shaft attachment invaluable for getting the cut-off disc perpendicular to the rails.
Wayne
Now, why didn’t I think of getting a flexible shaft? I’ve been trying to cut so that the angle makes the top of the rail longer than the base to get a tighter fit. If the rail hasn’t been laid yet, then it’s rail nippers for sure. I tried cutting a block gap with the Dremel cutoff wheel and it made a terribly wide cut that took a lot of styrene to fill. A razor saw made a gap only about 0.1" wide that was easy to fill and disguise. With the razor saw you need something to hold the track tightly in place and guide the saw. Years ago I bought a guide that’s a solid block of metal with grooves for the rails and a slot for the razor saw to fit in. Sure keeps from damaging the track, but I don’t think it’s available any more and I don’t remember who the manufacturer was. It makes a good track gauge too.
Zuron, is quicker, very clean cut and very exact. As rrinker stated use the proper side and one should keep the proper jaw to the top of the cut, as per the instructions. Helps to file a line to the top jaw so you can see it before making the cut, prolongs the life of the tool. I mark the top of the rail with .005 mechanical pencil and the cuts are very exact. Ho cut top to bottom and N scale cut from the side.
What works great, if one needs to backcut the rail ( top of rail longer then the bottom ) ,when making swing ups or drop ins, is that the tool will only cut so much of an angle and the gap at the end of a swing up or drop in when closed, gap will be very tight and no bind…
If you use the Dremel method, wear good (not cheeeeeep) saftey glasses and hold the cut off saw very straight while cutting. If a cut off saw binds it will break and at that high of RPM it could be a pain in the A…er …cheeek, to put it bluntly. regardless, saftey glasses even with the Xuron…John.
I would like to add my 2 cents worth for the Xuron cutter. They work beautifully and I find that I don’t really have to file the good end in order to put rail joiners in place. You do have to realise that only one side of the cut comes out square so care must be taken.
Xuron rail nipper. Period.
Ray out
A Dremel (or another brand) motor tool with a cutoff wheel. But, as someone else said, be sure to wear safety glasses, since the wheels become fragile and break easily, sometimes.
Thanks for all the great answers. This forum is so good… I think I will try the Xuron.
I like the Dremel but the cutoff wheels break. I bought the dimond cut off and it should last forever if I don’t get it so hot I melt the glue that holds the diamonds. That has never been a problem with track. I figure it also saved me money when I added up all the cutoff wheels I have broken.
I’ve used all three. I made a simple track tool to hold the rails in place while using a razor saw. A small block of 1x2 with grooves cut in it. Just hold it on the rails and cut. The dremel is my favorite for use on the layout, and the Xuron cutters for track not yet installed. With any cutting tool, don’t forget your eye protection!!
I have done all my cutting with a razor saw without any issues, but a Dremel is definitely on the wish list.
I’ve used them all. I prefer the Xuron tool as the best method, followed by the cutting disk (though I do hate for the disk to explode when I try to cut too fast!). I use the razor saw when nothing else is available.
Mark C.
Here is an excerpt of what is said on page 25 of Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders (2004 Kalmbach Publishing Co.) by Jeff Wilson:
I highly recommend Xuron nippers, which cut with a slight
shearing action. This leaves a much cleaner cut than
does using standard heavy-duty wire cutters.
I concur.