Is there a rail bending tool? I am laying Peco N scale, the larger code (80?) and am having to bend the ends of my flex track with pliers. Looking for somthing better. (vice clamp with smooth curved jaws or something).
I don’t think I understand. I built a couple of N scale layouts with this track and never had to bend any rail. Why are you doing this?
When I make a splice on a curve with my Peco flex, I get a bit of a kink right at the joint. I can get rid of it by bending with two long nose pliers, but wonder if there isn’t a better way. If I don’t do the bending I can hear, see and feel the kink when the train goes over it and if bad enough do get some derailings. So somehting must be done.
Try soldering the sections of track together, using rail joiners, before making the bends. You may have to remove a few extra ties when you form the curves, in order to accomodate the sliding of the rail, but this will also allow the joints to fall at different points along the track.
Wayne
There are radius gauges in HO - curved spacers that just fit between the rails, and hold the track to a designated radius. HO ones are made by Ribbon Rail, and are/used to be listed in the Walters catalog. I’m not sure whether there is something similar for N or not.
I understand your frustration. I went through the same issue with my early handlaid track. I learned to pre-bend the rail by hand. Because I couldn’t bend the last inch or two very well, I would just cut that off. The same is true for rail benders, which are available from Fast Tracks. But rail benders only work for individual rail pieces.
For Micro Engineering flex track, which is quite stiff and not springy at all like Atlas flex, I cut some plywood templates of the desired radii. I would then slowly bend the track to fit the template. Very similar to bending copper tubing. Again, the last 1/2" or so is still difficult to bend without kinking so it would get cut off. This method has the advantage of not needing rail joiners if you prefer not to use them.
For “springy” flex like Atlas, the consensus recommendation seems to be to solder the joint with the track still straight (using a rail joiner to strengthen the soldered joint), and then spring (curve) the track into the desired position.
yours in laying track
Fred, this is the first time it has all clicked for me, thanks to your comprehensive description above. Even though I have built two layouts, I can still learn a great deal, and you have helped.
Thanks.
-Crandell
Hi,
Using Peco N scale code55 since it’s apparition I had the same problems to join pieces of flextrack when curved.
I use curved jig cut in a heavy duty plastic used for publicity panel ( in Europe we call it FOREX and it’s make in deutchland).
I cut the jig in a curve which is the inner curve of the track, I dont use the midlle of the track as the tracing of the curve.
The jig is 4 centimeter bread and make more than an half circle, they are cut to represent all the curve I use on my system; the smallest is a inner curve of a 400 millimeter radius,in fact a nearly 415 millimeter radius if you consider the middle track.
Because my jig is 5 millimeter thick I can spike it and bent the track against it.
I then spike the track every 8 ties and every five least ties of the track.
I can solder a second piece of track, because its curved against the jig too in a flowing manner.
The Peco code 55 in N scale is sturdy so some ajustement where sometimes needed with pliers.
If you use hanlaid track, fastrack offer a bending tool and jig to make hanlaid track and fine scale turnout in all current scale.
See them at www.handlaidtrack.com
Its a very well made site.
.
You are quite welcome. I’m a big believer in knowing why I am doing things a certain way (probably the anal part of me). It gives me a basis on which to evaluate new or alternate techniques and methods. I enjoy reviewing new ideas and methods in my mind, seeing how they compare, and adopting if worthwhile. Sharing my reasoning and the conditions under which my methods work give a better picture for others to judge for themselves.
yours in tracking
Fred W