Ok when i am fianly going to get started ,when, i need a good way to cut flex track i previusly used wire cutters but they had 75% chance of haven a clean cut and the rest of the time was another story is there another cheap and good way to cut track
With reading the MR track laying books and from a variety of posts on these forums, by far the most common recc. is Xuron rail snips, available through a variety of sources (LHS’s, on line (Trainworld, etc.))–these seem to work much better than using a metal saw. However, one end of the cut will be a little snagged and require filing, but you can get around this by simply reversing the direction of the snips on the other cut end and cutting off a small portion of that rail.
Jim
i heard about them just wondering if they worked well, hwo much do they run gerneraly i didnt want to buy anything rly expensive
I use a Dremel with the diamond cutoff wheel. With practice it works well. Advantage over the normal cutoff disks: 1). It does not break 2). It has a smaller kerf. 3) it is easier to clean up the edges. When I went with the cordless Dremel, things got easier. The initial cost is high, but if that is not a big issue, it makes life more fun.
I use a rotory tool to cut all my flextrack. I bought it on sale for $8.00 and it comes with about 30 different tools that I can use for other projects. It works great because I get a nice clean cut every time without any filing.
Hope this helps!
who makes it ? i might be interested in something like that for 8 bucs hard to go wrong.
Xeron rail nipper. Hold it so the rail is cut top-to-bottom, not sid-to-side. Squeek fast.
ill probly get em walther has them on sale 
only 10$ , how long do they stay sharp?
I don’t know - mine aren’t dull yet [:)]. Seriously though, if you only use them for cutting rail and small gauge copper wire, they stay sharp for a long time. Do NOT cut piano wire (or other very hard materials) with them though. They are well worth the price as is any good tool.
The rotary tool works well too but you need to be careful of heat buildup. Place heat sinks on either side of the cut if you can. I use locking surgical forceps.
Yeah, get a Xuron. I’ve been using mine for a year and it’s still sharp. Great product.
will do, i dint need it just yet i havent even started benchwork yet i thinki just fianalized my track plan
For cutting track before installation, I use a pair of diagonal-cutting pliers, which I have been using since long before the Xuron tool was invented. The more-or-less flat side goes toward the good part of the rail. Squeeze enough to nick the rail, then bend sharply downward. If the nick is deep enough the rail will break exactly where you want it and require minimum cleanup.
For cutting track after installation (trackwork changes, liftout joints and erroneously omitted insulating gaps) I prefer a razor saw.
No matter how the rail is cut, take a few seconds to de-burr every rail end with a file or emory board. Also knock off the sharp corner at the top inside of the railhead - the part that will catch a wheel flange if track alignment is less than perfect. By putting a tiny 30 degree bevel there you will eliminate a major cause of derailments.
Chuck
Dremel tool with a diamond cutoff wheel work for me.
from what ive seen dremel tools are a bit more expensive then i can afford
A Xuron rail cutter is the way to go. As others have warned: use only for cutting rail., don’t go cutting wires with them. Also, the be aware that small ends pieces really shoot out from the cutters, so safety glasses are recommanded. ( the small pieces will fly across the room)
ya i know that happens with my wire cutter got wacked in the chin with a piece bbefore luckly no injury.
A place called ‘Princess Auto’ here in Coquitlam in Canada BC sells a dremel like tool WITH the flex arm attachment for 20 bucks. If you are near go get one.
Stephen