Hi Everyone,

I'm planning on starting my first 'real' 00 layout in the near future
(I had 'train sets' when I was younger but this will be my first
attempt at a real layout).

I intend to use mainly flexible track (Hornby or Peco - undecided
yet).  Is there a device to make accurate cutting of track easier? I
imagine something like a clamp with grooves cut for the rails, and a
slot to saw across?  Or is it better to use something like a strong
straight-edge wire cutter and careful marking up?

Also, can anyone recommend 'essential reading', either books or
websites, for a beginner to modern railway modelling? I already plan
to join/visit local clubs and exhibitions.

Many thanks,

Ben.

On Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:34:59 -0700 (PDT), Ben 
wrote:

>Hi Everyone,
>
>I'm planning on starting my first 'real' 00 layout in the near future
>(I had 'train sets' when I was younger but this will be my first
>attempt at a real layout).
>
>I intend to use mainly flexible track (Hornby or Peco - undecided
>yet).  Is there a device to make accurate cutting of track easier? I
>imagine something like a clamp with grooves cut for the rails, and a
>slot to saw across?  Or is it better to use something like a strong
>straight-edge wire cutter and careful marking up?

There is a Xuron track cutter but I prefer a slitting disk in a
flexible drive from a mini drill.

Regular mini drills like Dremels etc are too wide so the cut is at an
angle. A flexible drive extension is narrow enough to keep the disk
vertical when you cut the track.

>Also, can anyone recommend 'essential reading', either books or
>websites, for a beginner to modern railway modelling? I already plan
>to join/visit local clubs and exhibitions.
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Ben.

On Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:39:17 -0400, Christopher A. Lee
 said in
:

>There is a Xuron track cutter but I prefer a slitting disk in a
>flexible drive from a mini drill.

+1 for that.  It's much less destructive of the track then a razor
saw, IME.

Guy
-- 
May contain traces of irony.  Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

"Just zis Guy, you know?"  wrote in 
news:rdsk54lps8qknmrsreelk3b9s8f2nle9ng@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:39:17 -0400, Christopher A. Lee
>  said in
> :
> 
>>There is a Xuron track cutter but I prefer a slitting disk in a
>>flexible drive from a mini drill.
> 
> +1 for that.  It's much less destructive of the track then a razor
> saw, IME.

+2 :-)

Xuron's to cut to approximate length if appropriate but slitting disk on a 
flexible shaft beats everything else hands down.

-- 
All the best,

Chris Wilson

email to cwilson at britwar dor co dot uk, reply address is spamtrapped.
http://www.the-dormouse.org The Dormouse Line model railway

"Ben"  wrote in message 
news:19b4f36c-bef0-47a6-833b-f9b7697f75fa@k30g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I'm planning on starting my first 'real' 00 layout in the near future
> (I had 'train sets' when I was younger but this will be my first
> attempt at a real layout).
>
> I intend to use mainly flexible track (Hornby or Peco - undecided
> yet).

Be warned Peco is not so easy to curve - tis not as flexible - if you like, 
buy one of each to practice.
Peco do make the best points though.
>
> Also, can anyone recommend 'essential reading', either books or
> websites, for a beginner to modern railway modelling? I already plan
> to join/visit local clubs and exhibitions.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Ben.

David Jenkinson - Historical Railway Modelling. Its a wonderful read and has 
excellent advice on how to approach modelling so as to get the most 
enjoyment from it. Buy it as early as possible so that youre less likely to 
make expensive mistakes from going off in the wrong direction.

Cheers,
Simon

Chris Wilson wrote:
> 
> "Just zis Guy, you know?"  wrote in
> news:rdsk54lps8qknmrsreelk3b9s8f2nle9ng@4ax.com:
> 
> > On Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:39:17 -0400, Christopher A. Lee
> >  said in
> > :
> >
> >>There is a Xuron track cutter but I prefer a slitting disk in a
> >>flexible drive from a mini drill.
> >
> > +1 for that.  It's much less destructive of the track then a razor
> > saw, IME.
> 
> +2 :-)
> 
> Xuron's to cut to approximate length if appropriate but slitting disk on a
> flexible shaft beats everything else hands down.
> 

I consider myself to be fairly handy with tools, but I never could cut
rail insitu with a razor saw.
Since I bought a Dremel I've never taken a razor saw near rails again!

Greg.P.

On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:19:29 +1200, Greg Procter
 said in :

>Since I bought a Dremel I've never taken a razor saw near rails again!

Don't forget the safety goggles, though.  I was bloody lucky I was
wearing polycarbonate lenses when my diamond saw went West.  The
eyeball is still scarred, apparently.

Guy
-- 
May contain traces of irony.  Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

85% of helmet statistics are made up, 69% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

"Just zis Guy, you know?" wrote:
> 
> On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:19:29 +1200, Greg Procter
>  said in :
> 
> >Since I bought a Dremel I've never taken a razor saw near rails again!
> 
> Don't forget the safety goggles, though.  I was bloody lucky I was
> wearing polycarbonate lenses when my diamond saw went West.  The
> eyeball is still scarred, apparently.
> 
> Guy

Ouch!

Ben wrote:

> I intend to use mainly flexible track (Hornby or Peco - undecided
> yet).  Is there a device to make accurate cutting of track easier? I
> imagine something like a clamp with grooves cut for the rails, and a
> slot to saw across?  Or is it better to use something like a strong
> straight-edge wire cutter and careful marking up?

I'd say try a pair of Xuron cutters first. You'll get them in just about 
any decent model shop and they are not expensive. They produce a 
surprisingly clean cut, which doesn't usually require any tidying up.

Important.... cut the rail TOP-TO-BOTTOM, not side-to side.

Have fun!

Adrian