Snipping rail - top to bottom? N Gauge

[andruec]

I've read this advice and I tried to follow it but the results were not brilliant. Typically the rail would separate from the bed/sleepers before cut was complete. I've had more success turning the rail sideways (ie; cutting through the rail and bed at the same time) what I'd call 'cutting the obvious way'. I'm using Xuron cutters and this produces a clean cut that allows me to just cut and join - both sides of the cut are smooth and ready for a fishplate.

The point at which I gave up on top to bottom was when the rail for a short off cut pinged off the sleepers and half way across the room. I've since tried to get it back into the sleepers but it won't go. Or rather it will start but then it pops out and basically I seem to have lost 80mm of track as a consequence. It's no big deal but from now on I think I'm just going to cut the rail the obvious way.

Comments?

[Brian]

Never had any problems as your describing either in OO or N (my club layout uses N not me personally) tracks in Code 100, N in Code 80 and Code 55 rail profile all cut with a Xuron.

There are recommended cutting procedures with a Xuron Top to Bottom or Side to Side tool depending on the version obtained. The 2175B is for Horizontal Top to Bottom slicing, while the 2175M is for Vertical across the rail side to side cutter.

One side of the cutter produces a smooth flat cut while the other side produces a rougher cut that really needs the Xuron tool turning around and the flat cut side used to re trim that rails end.
I always give the underneath foot of the rail a few strokes of a flat needle file and also the top on both sides of the foot where it meets the rails web. This ensures easier slide on of the joiner.

[Walkingthedog]

Not sure why anything should disappear across the room. Hold the rail each side of where you are cutting with one hand. If you are cutting off a tiny piece cover it with a piece of cloth to catch it.

[andruec]

I assume it was because the natural tendency of the rail when cut top to bottom is to to twist and present itself sideways on. In this case (the only time it happened) that apparently ripped it from the sleepers to the extent that it can no longer be put back.

Ultimately it may just be one of those things where different people use different techniques but I seem to be getting better results by just presenting the rail side-on to the cutters in the first place.

[Rog (RJ)]

I've always cut the track base separately (OO gauge). Never even considered cutting the rails and base in one cut.

[Walkingthedog]

Rog I agree, you must always remove any plastic webbing first.

[andruec]

Perhaps that was where I was going wrong. But cutting the base separately means double the number of cuts

[Walkingthedog]

But half the amount of problems.

[yelrow]

i also, cut/remove sleepers with Stanley. Also, file before fitting joiner

[Chuffchuff]

I found a similar problem of twisting and shedding sleepers when cutting old used flexible track with a Xuron cutter.

I put it down to the track being stressed over a period of time ,, both rail and plastic bed. Further down the same length of the same rail there were no cutting problems.

On some lengths , I could pull the rail out of the track, cut it, then feed it back.

On a similar note, some rails needed a lot more cleaning up with a file than others, maybe the base metal is softer by manufacture , or tempered by time.

Rgds