Just wondering what if any Over Fish Plate clamps are available these days? I have tried the Piko ones but they are frankly rubbish. The hole on the score just wears away as it is tightened, making the situation worse. Any ideas?
What make are those clamps, Gordie?I tried some over the fishplate clamps once, have to say they were ditched very quickly, they are just pointless IMHO.
Have gone for the Aristo/Bachmann option as above on all my plain track, even to the point of removing ordinary fishplates and drilling/tapping the rail ends.
Exceptions are rail clamps for points and bridges, as they are likely to need lifting for servicing/access at some time.
View attachment 217185
They look like the Massoth onesWhat make are those clamps, Gordie?
Have to say that Massoth are my Clamp of choice these days, so much easier to fit and adapt. However as I have a considerable investment in Hillman ones including over type they will not be ditched.I tried some over the fishplate clamps once, have to say they were ditched very quickly, they are just pointless IMHO.
Have gone for the Aristo/Bachmann option as above on all my plain track, even to the point of removing ordinary fishplates and drilling/tapping the rail ends.
Exceptions are rail clamps for points and bridges, as they are likely to need lifting for servicing/access at some time.
View attachment 217185
As ever, it's a question of what works for you.Have to say that Massoth are my Clamp of choice these days, so much easier to fit and adapt. However as I have a considerable investment in Hillman ones including over type they will not be ditched.
JonD
What make are those clamps, Gordie?
Newbie question: if you clamp your rails doesn't this lead to track buckling due to expansion? On my 00 layouts I recall using a feeler gauge to leave an expansion gap - and that was indoors!
All the best,
Steve
In the garden, a lot of people tend to let the whole track move for expansion (and contraction) - so, clamp the joints, or fix them firmly for best electrical connectivity, then only fix the sleepers every few yards, and allow the track to move outwards a few millimetres on the bends when the sun decides to shineNewbie question: if you clamp your rails doesn't this lead to track buckling due to expansion? On my 00 layouts I recall using a feeler gauge to leave an expansion gap - and that was indoors!
All the best,
Steve
Sounds like Heinz - 57 varietiesIn that particular picture, Massoth, but I also have Hillman, AMS and Glendale Jct. (bridge) clamps.
As much as I would love to do that. It means lifting one hell of a lot of track.The over the joiner clamps are just as expensive as the ones that work directly on the rail, but they are less effective, since the only thing you are doing is tightening the joiner, if there is corrosion, dirt, oxidation between the joiner and the rails, the over the joiner clamp won't help.
Get the regular clamps and ditch the stock joiners.
Greg