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Model Railroader basic training: How to cut rails
Good presentation and information
A very informative presentation,showing how to use the right tools for the job safely.
Well done.
Very useful. It would also be really useful to know the best way of cutting gaps in N and HOm switches for DDC.
A Dremel tool using cutoff wheels also work well.
Very good
Well done demonstration, I have used a Dremel for years on both my HO and N track
Cutting a saw kerf for each rail in a small block of MDF will provide you with an inexpensive way to keep the rails in place while you saw right up against the edge of the block to keep your saw straight.
I use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel to make gaps on turnouts for DCC and isolating track sections. Go slow and wear safety googles or glasses at the wheel sometimes break and fly everywhere. The Xuron cutters work well for trimming flex-track.
Thanks, good information.
I also use a miniature rotary tool (by Einhell) to cut rail. If you use the right spec of cutting disc, the cut surface is smooth and does not require any filing.
I found that using a Zuron snipper on other metal may ding it!
Use your Zuron only for track!
Using the right saw is the best & safest way to cut track.
what about cutting EZ track ??
I started off by using ordinary sidecutters but they mis-shapen the track and requires a lot of filing. I now mainly use a rotary tool (Dremel) with a cuttoff wheel for cutting track to length and for establishing power break points. Works great for me.
I find the Xurons distort the metal more than a razor saw, even on the flush-cutting side. One should use as fine of a razor saw as they can find. I also clamp down on the rails using wood to protect the rails, and a clamp to minimize stress on the ties.
I’m not sure how a Dremel with a cut-off disc will do the job, the disc is smaller around than even the body of the pencil extension attachment, so I don’t know how you’d reliably get a square cut.
Another use for the Dremel I bought some time before deciding to build a train table. Thanks guys. Keep the alternatives coming it saves hours of experimenting and uncertainty.
I use a Minidrill and a diamond cutting disk- the disc is thinner than normal cut-off wheels, which are brittle and, as Robert Berkley, wrote, tend to break sometimes. The diamond disc also gives a smaller gap when cutting isolated sections of track.
I thought there were two ways to use the nippers depending on the size track. As shown is the way to cut N-scale track. To cut HO track, you make the cut with the blades on the top and bottom of the track. At least that’s what info came with my Zuron.