I am looking for advice on installing flex track. I need to know the pros and cons of working with this type of track and what is the best way to connect to turnouts and other pieces of track. Also, if soldering is involved, I need a primer on this subject, where I can I get a good “how to guide” on this subject?
Thanks,
Gary
You connect flextrack to turnouts and other pieces with rail joiners. You want to solder two pieces together for curves, making sure the sliding rail is on the inside of the curve. To solder, heat your soldering iron and put some rosin flux paste on the sides of the rail. Touch the iron to the top of the rail and wait for the rosin to bubble, then touch the joint with some solder. It should take a few seconds to flow into the joint, but dont over do it. You also want to solder feeder wires to each section of flextrack.
To add to soumodeler’s advice, buy yourself two metal track guages that fit on top of the rails. Place one on either side of the point that you are going to solder. This performs two functions for you; The metal guages act as heat sinks to prevent the plastic ties from melting, and: should the plastic ties soften anyway, the guages will prevent the rails from moving and change the spacing between the rails.
Soumodeler told you about rail joiners. So let me add on soldering, a web search will give you much information about techniques, type of solder, and so on. If your flex track has plastic ties, you need to be careful about how much heat you apply and for how long so you do not melt the plastic. As Soumodeler said, heat the railhead touching the solder to the joint. When it is hot enough, the solder will melt and flow into the joint. As that happens, take the iron away. When the solder cools, the solder joint should be shiney, indicating a good seal.
Is it a complete myth that putting the sliding rail on the OUTSIDE of the curve will result in a slightly wider gauge? This would probably be irrelevant for those who only run diesels, but a wider gauge through the curves could be a good thing for steam engines (which have a longer rigid wheelbase).
All of the flex track I’ve encountered has the gauge set rigidly by the plastic ties, so it’s the same whether the curve radius is 15 inches or infinity (ie. tangent track).
The three point track gauges Brother Silverman mentioned WILL widen the track gauge, if used two points outside rail, one point inside rail, but the widening will only be significant on streetcar radius curves (and will only happen if you are handlaying your track).