I'm about to start laying some permanent track, and need to make a decision on whether or not to use railclamps. The track is a mix of predominantly LGB (mostly short/medium straights and R3 curves) and Aristocraft (some big curves and long straights), though I have some Trainline45 R2 curves that I'll be using on a later section. I'm looking for actual experiences and practical advice!
Should I use clamps on EVERY join, or just one every few joints and rely on standard joiners (with a little graphite paste) for the remainder? For the clamps, which do folks here favour? I'm looking at the Massoth brass ones as the most economical and easily obtainable at the moment, anyone here who has used them in preference to other brands? I'll DEFINITELY be installing all the points with clamps (joiners removed), to make them easy to lift out.
Do most people remove the existing joiners when they fit clamps, or do some use the over-joiner style of clamp? Do these work as well (or maybe better)? Massoth don't seem to do an over-joiner option, so it would be a different make for that route.
Finally, I realise the Aristo rail comes with its own little joining screws - in people's experience, are these good enough, or should I discard them and use clamps here too?
I'm using Digital control (Dimax) and planning to have three sets of feed wires spaced around a single large loop around the garden, about 45 yards in total.
My current (pun intended...) feeling is to use the Massoth clamps on all the LGB track, and the fitted screws on the Aristo sections - but I'd welcome any opinions!
Thanks,
Jon.
Should I use clamps on EVERY join, or just one every few joints and rely on standard joiners (with a little graphite paste) for the remainder? For the clamps, which do folks here favour? I'm looking at the Massoth brass ones as the most economical and easily obtainable at the moment, anyone here who has used them in preference to other brands? I'll DEFINITELY be installing all the points with clamps (joiners removed), to make them easy to lift out.
Do most people remove the existing joiners when they fit clamps, or do some use the over-joiner style of clamp? Do these work as well (or maybe better)? Massoth don't seem to do an over-joiner option, so it would be a different make for that route.
Finally, I realise the Aristo rail comes with its own little joining screws - in people's experience, are these good enough, or should I discard them and use clamps here too?
I'm using Digital control (Dimax) and planning to have three sets of feed wires spaced around a single large loop around the garden, about 45 yards in total.
My current (pun intended...) feeling is to use the Massoth clamps on all the LGB track, and the fitted screws on the Aristo sections - but I'd welcome any opinions!
Thanks,
Jon.