alignment of cut track

[Paddy Mac Namara]

Hi all

I need some help with the alignment of cut track across a gap, as in baseboard join or in this case a lifting section. I’ve seen people talk about soldering the track to copper-clad board either side to secure the track firmly. All very well but…where do you get copper clad board, also surely the track will short out across the copper plate….do you cut it…seems to defeat the purpose.

Anyway any help appreciated.

Cheers

Paddy mac

[BosKonay]

Hi Paddy

 

Copperclad strips can be had as near as match sleepers and you simply file off the copper from the middle and paint.

 

http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=359

Edited February 18, 2016 by BosKonay

[David Holman]

Another idea is to put in small flat headed screws in line with the rails. Each side of the baseboard joint and solder the rails to these. After, you can cut bits of sleeper to hide the screws. Have used this on numerous exhibition layouts without any problems.

[Dave]

Here's how I do it, lay the track across the joint in this case it's a baseboard joint that comes apart. Screw flat head screws under the track then solder the track to the screws, then cut the track with a fine cutting disc in a dremel. Here's some pics once the sleepers are fitted then painted and ballasted you can't see it.

The lift up section has to line up perfectly though and lock securely otherwise you will get derailments.

 

What I like about using screws it that they can't move once soldered.

 

 

 

[jhb171achill]

Excellent useful info, thanks - will come in handy for a future project of mine.

[Paddy Mac Namara]

thanks a mill for the help guys, photo's very very helpful dave, cheers

[Paddy Mac Namara]

dave, i'm not sure how this works, how will you know i've re-activated the thread.

 

but here's my question, your solder to screws looks simple and effective, but what about the more usual solder rail to copper clad board

i see in the modelling press...is either method as effective, the screws i presume should be brass

thanks

paddy

[Junctionmad]

I personally have not found a method that is both strong and invisible

[Paddy Mac Namara]

thanks j i suppose i'm looking for strong more than invisible....but is this asking too much..maybe an allowance for some adjustment if tracks get mis-aligned in the future

[Dave]

I personally have not found a method that is both strong and invisible

 

 

My method is very strong and nearly invisible when done right. On this layout you can't see it when your a couple of feet away from the joint.

 

[Dave]

dave, i'm not sure how this works, how will you know i've re-activated the thread.

 

but here's my question, your solder to screws looks simple and effective, but what about the more usual solder rail to copper clad board

i see in the modelling press...is either method as effective, the screws i presume should be brass

thanks

paddy

 

 

Hi Paddy,

 

I like using screws over PCB board, once the screws are screwed in and soldered to the track they can't work there way back out as they rail stops them from turning. With PCB board they are glued and can break free if the glue becomes brittle.

Yes brass screws are best and grind the heads a bit and also grind under the rail then apply flux before soldering.

[Paddy Mac Namara]

thanks dave

[Paddy Mac Namara]

thanks dave