Tools made or needed for track making

[justme igor]

Hi all,

I’m going to dedicate a separate thread purely to the tools I’m using for building my tracks.
My track‑making has reached levels I never imagined, far beyond anything I thought possible.

Most of you will remember my "old" method: using a jigsaw mounted upside‑down under a table, fitted with an aluminium blade, to cut the pieces for my track.
It worked surprisingly well, crude, yes, but very effective.




A lot of aluminium dust ended up inside the jigsaw, the blade started drifting sideways, and it became dull pretty quickly.

So I ordered something new on AliExpress, and honestly, I hesitated for a long time, this one:





It runs below 2.5 A at 24v (i used 21v)

Cutting the aluminium strips dry works, but it’s slow, the blade clogs up, and you’ll burn your fingers.

But with a small spray of WD‑40… it goes through like a hot knife through butter.

So far part one of tools.
With best regards Igor

 

[Paul M]

BE CAREFUL!

 

[Gerard]

Fantastic! You built yourself a whole Kaleas sawing machine!

 

[Gerard]

Egor,
Can you explain more in detail how you fix the aluminium track in the picture below on the wooden pieces?

 

[justme igor]

Can you explain more in detail how you fix the aluminium track in the picture below on the wooden pieces?

If you want more details, check the link in my signature.
I’ve just wrapped up this one, and for the next project (starting later this week) I’ll do a full write‑up with close‑ups.

With best regards Igor
Ps het moet toch eerst even afkoelen hier....

Given the amount of time and research(incl in TU in Delft a course) I’ve invested over the past five years, I’d really prefer that this information isn’t turned into a book or any kind of paid content.
I’m happy to share it here, but I’d like to keep control over how it’s used.

 

[justme igor]

BE CAREFUL!

When it comes to machinery, I’m always sure of myself, after 40 years working with those kind of tools...
With women… let’s say my track record includes a few learning moments.

 

[Paul M]

I’m always sure of myself, after 40 years working with those kind of tools...

Famous last words!

 

[Gerard]

If you want more details, check the link in my signature.
I’ve just wrapped up this one, and for the next project (starting later this week) I’ll do a full write‑up with close‑ups.

With best regards Igor
Ps het moet toch eerst even afkoelen hier....

Given the amount of time and research(incl in TU in Delft a course) I’ve invested over the past five years, I’d really prefer that this information isn’t turned into a book or any kind of paid content.
I’m happy to share it here, but I’d like to keep control over how it’s used.

You mention Tudelft which happens to be my historical background too! I did the course on civil engineering subcourse coastal engineering. What was your course subject?

 

[peterpavuk]

Hi all,

I’m going to dedicate a separate thread purely to the tools I’m using for building my tracks.
My track‑making has reached levels I never imagined, far beyond anything I thought possible.

Most of you will remember my "old" method: using a jigsaw mounted upside‑down under a table, fitted with an aluminium blade, to cut the pieces for my track.
It worked surprisingly well, crude, yes, but very effective.

View attachment 356757
View attachment 356758View attachment 356759View attachment 356760

A lot of aluminium dust ended up inside the jigsaw, the blade started drifting sideways, and it became dull pretty quickly.

So I ordered something new on AliExpress, and honestly, I hesitated for a long time, this one:
View attachment 356761


View attachment 356766View attachment 356765View attachment 356764View attachment 356762View attachment 356763

It runs below 2.5 A at 24v (i used 21v)

Cutting the aluminium strips dry works, but it’s slow, the blade clogs up, and you’ll burn your fingers.

But with a small spray of WD‑40… it goes through like a hot knife through butter.

So far part one of tools.
With best regards Igor

It is impressive work, in what scale do you do it?

Did you considered a profile rails? To my taste metal strips looks a bit unnatural though. Also I am not sure about aluminium - brass or neusillber would be more appropriate choice imho.