Peco Flexi Track

[Northsider]

[QUOTE="3 minutes of fame, post: 695542, member: ]

Eye protection is a must. It's not only if a disc was to fail - it can happen, but also the dust and metal filings that fly off during cutting.
[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. Putting on a pair of safety specs (correctly rated for impact protection) should be automatic. Hefty gloves too, for larger discs.

 

[dunnyrail]

[QUOTE="3 minutes of fame, post: 695542, member: ]

Eye protection is a must. It's not only if a disc was to fail - it can happen, but also the dust and metal filings that fly off during cutting.

Absolutely. Putting on a pair of safety specs (correctly rated for impact protection) should be automatic. Hefty gloves too, for larger discs.
[/QUOTE]
Indeed so, Angle grinders are serious beasts and can have serious impacts if used incorrectly. Timely reminder Patrick.

 

[maxi-model]

Slight overkill but what the heck. Will make short work of any flexi rail cutting jobs. Ideal if you are planning a very large layout from scratch. Max

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[Greg Elmassian]

These newer carbide disks from Dremel are fiberglas reinforced, never had one fly apart.

The older disks, of homogeneous carbide grit with no reinforcement would shatter and fly apart with regularity.

So these newer Dremel disks are safter, longer lasting, have the quick release mount, and larger diameter... is quite an improvement.

 

[PhilP]

Eye protection etc should still be worn, though..


PhilP

 

[FatherMcD]

Slight overkill but what the heck. Will make short work of any flexi rail cutting jobs. Ideal if you are planning a very large layout from scratch. Max

Our 10 Best Metal Chop Saws in the UK - October 2023 | BestProductsReviews.co.uk

Easily compare & choose from the 10 best Metal Chop Saws for you. Don't buy a Metal Chop Saws in the UK before reading our rankings | BestProductsReviews.co.uk

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Does anyone have experience using one of these mini-chop saws, for track cutting or otherwise?

 

[JimmyB]

Does anyone have experience using one of these mini-chop saws, for track cutting or otherwise?

I have the last one on the list, it’s great, but not so mini.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Yes, I own one of the mini chop saws... speed too slow for a carbide blade, metal blade ok for wood, no good on metal. Waste of money for track for me.

 

[GAP]

The max thickness of the mini chop saw is 6mm for metal cutting.
I have used one of the larger ones to cut fishplates and rail at the 1:1 Cane Railway.
I also have a slide compound saw for use on timber, I used it to cut all my wood for my layout, for the steel and rail I used my angle grinder.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I don't quite understand the max thickness... to me it seems it would be the width of the material, i.e. how much of the blade is involved/engaged that would be the limiting factor
... but I'm looking at thickness as the distance from the center of the earth, width that fits in the clamp and length that what extends out of the unit.

anyway, I have not tried any carbide tipped blades (have not found any), and the carbide disks need speed and power.

Greg

 

[dunnyrail]

I have a BnQ bought cop saw that I use for large and medium size timber, the blade is metal rated and cuts through nails quite happily with a suitable row. However I would not rate it for cutting track as the blade is too coarse for that job. Just what type of chop saws and blades have we been talking about here? No real clue from the adds that I could see. Plus at the cost of a chop saw definitely over the top compared to a mini hack saw at a sub £10 price.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

blade about 2-3" in diameter

 

[ge_rik]

I found a Junior Hacksaw with a new blade works well. However it is also worthwhile to have some preasure on the rail to help. I have a short length of 2x1” timber with 45mm rail groves cut in to hold things steady when pressed down during cutting.

Exactly the method I use - including the wooden block.

Rik

 

[JimmyB]

I have on of these, though never use on my track (never thought about it), but cuts both metal and wood with the appropriate disk.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-DSM20-3-Compact-Attachments-Accessories/dp/B007JUK64Y

 

[DafyddElvy]

I'm not demeaning the suggestion, but when i used a saw, even a small razor saw, it seemed to put undue stress on the "spikes", the plastic parts that hold the rail to the ties.

This has been my experience (also it takes a lot longer ha ha!)

greg

Greg, regardless of modelling scale, I have always cut groves in a piece of wood to place over the rails when I cut them, that could be why I've not had any problems using the fret saw.

 

[dunnyrail]

I have on of these, though never use on my track (never thought about it), but cuts both metal and wood with the appropriate disk.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-DSM20-3-Compact-Attachments-Accessories/dp/B007JUK64Y

I think the Dremel should work fine being a smaller job than yer normal Chop Saw.

 

[rick_spicer]

Hi, What's the best way to cut flexi track, are specific tools required?

Andrew

I use the dremel max saw (current version is max ultra). It cuts up to 3/4" lumber, steel, tiles, etc. with different blades. I adjust blade cut to the depth of a rail. The saw is solid enough to give you a firm grip to allow in-situ cutting. Cuts very quickly so the rail doesn't heat too badly. Also a very handy saw for many home projects.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

And what blade do you use on track? And is it brass or stainless steel or ??

 

[JohnSol]

Heat from an abrasive cut-off wheel could compromise plastic ties (sleepers) and is not particularly well suited for non-ferric metals. Saws, even fine-toothed saw present a different problem, one that has already been addressed in this thread. The problem is the torsional pressure against the spiked ties (sleepers.) As previously mentioned, a good solution would be using a tight-fitting rail jig that firmly holds the rail while cutting.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I use carbide cutoff wheels, and there is heat, but cuts so fast heat is not damaging ties.

The thin Dremel carbide cutoff wheels don't remove a lot of metal, so do not create a lot of heat.

John, have you ever actually used one of these to cut rails? Your post sounds theoretical rather than from direct experience.

Greg