Cutting LGB rail

TerrySoham

TerrySoham

Registered
I am now beginning to lay out my new double track at ground level. I have cut track previously using a Junior hacksaw in situ which is far from easy.
I am interesting to learn of other people's methods for doing this particularly to 1) make an accurate cut and 2) to get a cut at right angles!.


Your ideas please

Terry Metcalfe
 
Thanks Phil. BUT......

Can you describe how I can do this in situ. Is this with a circular blade - if so any particular type or diameter? How do I hold the rail to ensure the the cut is at right angles - doesn't the body of the Dremel prevent this?

Terry
 
Another option is to cut yourself a piece of 2 x 1 inch (or similar) timber, then cut some slots into it at 45mm track gauge which will hold the rail steady. You may need to do one or two cuts at each rail slot so that the LGB rail is a snug fit. Press this down as hard as you can as close as you can to where you are going to cut. Then use the trusty Junior saw as you have been doing. This will make he job much easier.
JonD
 
hi terry!
yes it is a circular Blade.
doesn't have to be a particular size about 22.5 mm if that's the correct size.
to keep the track angles straight, put the track over a flat surface, and slowly cut the track.
Then to flatten the ends put the blade on the dremel flat on the rail at the end to smooth the head rail.
 
Gotta say, having used Dremels and the like in the past, I went back to using a standard size hacksaw and clamping the rail with a block of wood as decribed in an earlier post above.

I found that unless the cutting disc is sufficiently large it's very difficult to get a truly vertical cut due to the size of the Dremel tool itself - you really need a cutting wheel of 2" diameter or so.

Mr Hacksaw with a decent new blade goes through the brass rail like butter, and the standard size is easier to control than the junior size.
 
speak to BIGJACK he has a picture of himself cutting rail with an angle grinder............
 
I gave succesfully used many methods of cutting LGB .......... Rail the , Carborundum slitting disc in a mini drill seems to work best ( EXPO TOOLS suppliers)

Also used a metal Cutting blade in a Jig saw, ............ That cuts fast

and even a small saw usually used for 00 & 0 Gauge track That is a bit slower!!!
 
Well 1st off it really does'nt need to be super accuratly cut at right angles just as long as you can get a fishplate on it!! When I cut track off the ground I use my handy dandy chop saw Fast and accurate (Maybe a little over the top though) all other cases it's a standard hacksaw with a 23tpi blade. I usually just squeeze the rails together in the ties and cut, but I can see the merit of using a wooden block between the rails! I have used a Dremmel but it's a bit fiddly for me and the large size cutting wheels are expensive and don't last long when cutting rail and dirt at the same time!!
 
Mr. Dremel, every time, or you can try his brother Mr Large Electric Drill (Bosch/B&Decker etc) clamped up on a bench, and the drill fitted with a circular grinding/cutting wheel. Alyn
 
Hi there,

i use a hacksaw but i look for to have a good blade with small teeth for a fine cut. For getting rid of burrs, i use a fine metal file.
Mr. Dremel can be a bit dangerous with using the slim grinding wheels.
With a layed down track, you will roughly came accross a motorized cut, but with a piece of track sepaerately i will always use a hand-saw.

Perhaps one day, when i am ready with laying tracks, i will buy a metal-circular saw in an angle-holder... :D


Greetings

Frank
 
Wump of wood with the 45mm spaced grooves works every time for me
 
I'm with Madman although I only use a Bosch 100mm angle grinder and stainless steel cut off discs, make sure you get the real thin ones, about 1mm thick. They cut thru rail like hot knife thru butter, they last forever and I have yet to get one break on me, except when I drop the angle grinder and the blades snap in half. I make my own points and use this set up for cutting all my rail for the frogs and closure rails, I have some scaredy pants mates who don't like the idea and spend hours with a hacksaw and files trying to do what I do in mere minutes, and ask them how many cut fingers and bashed knuckles they have compared to me!!
 
Bram said:
Wump of wood with the 45mm spaced grooves works every time for me
Click to expand...

Wump of wood with the 45mm spaced gwooves works evewy time for me Warwick.

Sorry Bram, not having a go at you, just couldn't help myself with the wump.
 
what ever suits the situation, if the tracks in stue, its a dreminle, steel cutting disk..if the tracks not yet in stue, it s a junure hacksaw...
 
mmts said:
speak to BIGJACK he has a picture of himself cutting rail with an angle grinder............
Click to expand...

You mean this one?

Good job the H&S police weren't looking! I don't think the fashion police would have approved of those peep toe sandals and socks either, but Bigjack is hardly a dedicated follower.

Personally, I use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade, and a mitre box just to make sure I get a square cut, although I can cut perfectly well enough without it.

A case of belts and braces....
81c2f09fd1984aa1b59ef5b118d8111b.jpg
 
Budd said:
Bram said:
Wump of wood with the 45mm spaced grooves works every time for me
Click to expand...

Wump of wood with the 45mm spaced gwooves works evewy time for me Warwick.

Sorry Bram, not having a go at you, just couldn't help myself with the wump.
Click to expand...

Bloody hell how long does it take to cut that brass rail with a lump of wood?????????????????
964bf9d1342c45e0a5fc10c75bd1a60e.jpg
 
Gizzy said:
mmts said:
speak to BIGJACK he has a picture of himself cutting rail with an angle grinder............
Click to expand...

You mean this one?

Good job the H&S police weren't looking! I don't think the fashion police would have approved of those peep toe sandals and socks either, but Bigjack is hardly a dedicated follower.

Personally, I use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade, and a mitre box just to make sure I get a square cut, although I can cut perfectly well enough without it.

A case of belts and braces....
Click to expand...

Call that an Angle Grinder, that looks like a baby Dremel to me!
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Gizzy said:
mmts said:
speak to BIGJACK he has a picture of himself cutting rail with an angle grinder............
Click to expand...

You mean this one?

Good job the H&S police weren't looking! I don't think the fashion police would have approved of those peep toe sandals and socks either, but Bigjack is hardly a dedicated follower.

Personally, I use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade, and a mitre box just to make sure I get a square cut, although I can cut perfectly well enough without it.

A case of belts and braces....
Click to expand...

Call that an Angle Grinder, that looks like a baby Dremel to me!
JonD
Click to expand...
Believe you me, that is a big angle grinder.

That bloke isn't called Bigjack for nutthin....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom