Railclamps

Frank Gallagher

Frank Gallagher

Well matured physically if not mentally
Thinking ahead to spring (should be here soon I hope!) I'll continue laying some track in the garden, Hillman railclamps seem unobtainable, Piko clamps only seem to be available in the good 'ol U S of A (is that an agreement with Massoth to have a monopoly in the UK? Seeing as the manufacture Pikos power units)

The Massoth clamps look a little skinny and possibly not very strong although power connections seem neat, are the 19mm Massoth units up to the job?

I've also looked at Uncle Herms clamps but they only seem available in USA and therefore quite expensive (search Ebay worldwide and there are loads)

Experiences would be appreciated.
 
Hi Frank,

I have used Massoth Clamps for a number of years without any problems. They do not require an allen key to secure them and I have found them to be easy to install.

Martin
 
The Massoth ones work just fine, and as Martin says, being able to use an ordinary screwdriver rather than needing an allen key makes them easy - also the fact that you tighten them by screwing down from the top, rather than having to work from the side, much easier especially on ground-level track.....

Jon.
 
Frank Gallagher said:
Thinking ahead to spring (should be here soon I hope!) I'll continue laying some track in the garden, Hillman railclamps seem unobtainable, Piko clamps only seem to be available in the good 'ol U S of A (is that an agreement with Massoth to have a monopoly in the UK? Seeing as the manufacture Pikos power units)

The Massoth clamps look a little skinny and possibly not very strong although power connections seem neat, are the 19mm Massoth units up to the job?

I've also looked at Uncle Herms clamps but they only seem available in USA and therefore quite expensive (search Ebay worldwide and there are loads)

Experiences would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Not really sure why you would worry about the fact that the Massoth ones are a bit 'skinny', they are certainly up to the job and if I were starting anew would be the clamp of choice. Reasons:-
1 Screwdriver fit ( as said by other respondants)
2 Smaller size makes them slightley less obtrusive
3 You can use the screws easier for wiring (do not forget the LGB Glug Ref 51010) on those screws
4 Easy availability
Down Side
1 Cost but this is true of all track clamps
2 Need to remove the LGB Fishplates, but the over Hillman Type did tend to break the screws on occasion.


I have been using them now since introduced some 7 or 8 years ago due to better availability in UK than Hillman. The only failure that I have had with electrical contact was with one that I forgot to fully tighten up the screws. It had worked quite happily for some 2 years before the power failed. Just tightened the screws up and all was good. The shorter ones tend to be required on Aristocraft Curves and perhaps LGB Points. The longer ones are OK on straights. Though inevitably you may find other places that require a shorter one. Personally I think I would use the shorter ones in all circumstances, when I started using them I was not aware that there were two sizes.

Final point do not worry the Massoth Clamps are a robust well made product.
JonD
 
I initally used Hillman clamps but of late I've been using Split Jaw clamps. I have found the way the split jaw works probably works better for me. Oh and a "ball end allen key" works a treat for those awkward spots, which in the case of installing railclamps is just about every spot!
 
Frank Gallagher said:
Piko clamps only seem to be available in the good 'ol U S of A....
Click to expand...

PIKO clamps are obtainable at Glendale.

Both over fishplate and non fishplate types....
 
Gizzy said:
Frank I have found these for you?

http://www.gardenrailways.co.uk/332clamps.html

Graham does Hillman clamps as well as other makes....
Click to expand...

Unfortunately both Hillman items say "Availability : no stock"

Not surprising, perhaps, in view of Hillmans ceasing production in (?) 2015. It's a shame as I'd like to get my hands on some of the 332-01 TM clamps (the ones that fit Tenmille rail, still 332 but with the narrower foot).

I don't suppose anyone has some in their "bits box" (purchased in error? acquired in a "job lot"?). I have some Hillman clamps for LGB-profile rail available as one-for-one swaps.
 
Ha ha! Was waiting for someone to realize Hillmans was out of business. He sold it for a while to the US LGB people, who folded.

By the way, the Piko clamps have the same mechanical engineering design flaw the Hillmans have/had, the squared corner groove is a weak point where the clamps often break. Go SplitJaw. The money saved now will not offset the increased replacement cost of failed joiners.

Greg
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Ha ha! Was waiting for someone to realize Hillmans was out of business. He sold it for a while to the US LGB people, who folded.

By the way, the Piko clamps have the same mechanical engineering design flaw the Hillmans have/had, the squared corner groove is a weak point where the clamps often break. Go SplitJaw. The money saved now will not offset the increased replacement cost of failed joiners.

Greg
Click to expand...
Have to say that I had quite a few Hillmans fail as I listed earlier. Mostly Over Type. But I managed to repair them by tediously unscrewing the broken bit of s rew with pliers, the othe part usually fell out as one part with the bolt hex had no thread. So long as the spare screws I had lasted I was fine. But they have run out now so I have 6 or 7 useless Hillman in stock. But it is not a problem as I have sorted all of my Track requirements.

I would still recommend Massoth, they are easier to fit (only a screwdriver from above) and easier to obtain in UK and to my eye look less obtrusive.
JonD
 
SevenOfDiamonds said:
Unfortunately both Hillman items say "Availability : no stock"

Not surprising, perhaps, in view of Hillmans ceasing production in (?) 2015.
Click to expand...

Ah I hadn't noticed that, thanks?

I'd wrongly assumed that, as it was on his website, he had some in stock....
 
Last edited:
dunnyrail said:
So long as the spare screws I had lasted I was fine. But they have run out now so I have 6 or 7 useless Hillman in stock. But it is not a problem as I have sorted all of my Track requirements.
Click to expand...

Should you wish to get more, Hillmans use 4-40 UNC A2 Stainless steel imperial hexagon socket cap head bolts.
I forget the length Hillman used they may be 3/8" or perhaps 5/16". Either way they are available on ebay for around £5 for 50.
This link allows you select the length and also quantity down to as low as five.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-40-UNC-...hash=item2c76106d75:m:ml4b3kZOy5svj4_cDSScO4Q
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Ha ha! Was waiting for someone to realize Hillmans was out of business. He sold it for a while to the US LGB people, who folded.

By the way, the Piko clamps have the same mechanical engineering design flaw the Hillmans have/had, the squared corner groove is a weak point where the clamps often break. Go SplitJaw. The money saved now will not offset the increased replacement cost of failed joiners.

Greg
Click to expand...

I think this alternative maker is still in business.

http://trackjoiners.com/

If you already have Hillmans these have the advantage over Split Jaw of using the same size of screw, so no messing with different sizes of Allen keys that may look the same.
 
Last edited:
OK this may seem a stupid question.. But someone stated they thought the Massoth clamps were less obtrusive..
Straw poll:

Do you put the screws on the inside, or outside, of the track?


I have always fitted them with the screws on the outside.. Expecting deep flanges to ride-up on the screw-heads..
PhilP.
 
PhilP said:
OK this may seem a stupid question.. But someone stated they thought the Massoth clamps were less obtrusive..
Straw poll:

Do you put the screws on the inside, or outside, of the track?

PhilP.
Click to expand...

Good point, well made!

Outside for me, as you might want to attach a wire to them (with a suitable terminal of course).

But I guess you could put them on the inside. The wheel flanges shouldn't touch the screws, but obviously check first....
 
PhilP said:
OK this may seem a stupid question.. But someone stated they thought the Massoth clamps were less obtrusive..
Straw poll:

Do you put the screws on the inside, or outside, of the track?


I have always fitted them with the screws on the outside.. Expecting deep flanges to ride-up on the screw-heads..
PhilP.
Click to expand...

Outside of the Rail for me.
 
Inside here - they show less and I don't have a problem with them hitting
the flange.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom