Has anyone tried bending the 40" pieces of Atlas rigid? I've got about 40 pieces of it that would be of better use if I could re-shape it. Any tools out there that would do it?
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There are stringers that run between the ties under all rails on the right. On the flex, the stringer runs under the center rail only. The trick would be to cut out all of the stringers with a Dremel tool, then it would essentially be a piece of flex. I don't think the ties are glued to to the rails and they should slide. It's a matter of how much work you want to do.
When I had my 3 rail layout I did as Matt described, that said it is slightly harder to bend than the flex. But yes get a Dremel and grind away the stringers and it will flex.
Mucho thanks!! A little elbow grease during these winter months will save several hundred dollars come next spring!
Comparing to a piece of flex...looks like all the stringers are removed between the ties on both of the outer rails. Looks a little more than just tedious, but then, what else is tv commercial time for anyways!
Thanks again for the great solution! I'll give it a try tonight.
Comparing to a piece of flex...looks like all the stringers are removed between the ties on both of the outer rails. Looks a little more than just tedious, but then, what else is tv commercial time for anyways!
Thanks again for the great solution! I'll give it a try tonight.
Mark,
Do yourself a favor and trade those in for flex. Shoot me an email and I will give you a step by step tutoral on how to bend it correctly.
BTW, what dia\rad are you trying to achieve?
Cesar
Do yourself a favor and trade those in for flex. Shoot me an email and I will give you a step by step tutoral on how to bend it correctly.
BTW, what dia\rad are you trying to achieve?
Cesar
Mark
I suggest you find a buyer for your rigid sections.
The rigid sections have a much tighter tolerance where rail is secured to the plastic tie plates. This will hinder any attempt to bend the original rigid section. Removing the webbing will not work and would void any warranty.
I suggest you find a buyer for your rigid sections.
The rigid sections have a much tighter tolerance where rail is secured to the plastic tie plates. This will hinder any attempt to bend the original rigid section. Removing the webbing will not work and would void any warranty.
I've got one piece that has a few of the ties busted loose on one end. So, I'll use it as a test piece.
Selling most of it is an option, albeit one I really don't want to hassle with. I've seen too many pieces ruined from the battering of shipment...which is how i ended up with the piece with the busted ties! (The others got returned. In once case, all 15 pieces were damaged and subsequently returned.)
I'm looking to use this outside for long, long gentle curvatures along a retaining wall. "Regular" curves will still be done with standard curved track.
Selling most of it is an option, albeit one I really don't want to hassle with. I've seen too many pieces ruined from the battering of shipment...which is how i ended up with the piece with the busted ties! (The others got returned. In once case, all 15 pieces were damaged and subsequently returned.)
I'm looking to use this outside for long, long gentle curvatures along a retaining wall. "Regular" curves will still be done with standard curved track.
I agree with FatBoy, SigComm and JohnS: trade the rigid sections for flexible sections. The plastic tabs (spikes) will break if the rigid section is flexed. Also, in order to easily bend the flexible pieces, each rail should be removed from the plastic (flexible) base and bent to the desired curve. When replaced in the plastic base, the flex section will then hold its curve. Removing the rails is not possible with the rigid sections unless you break the tabs.
I make good use of the 40" rigid sections by replacing combinations of shorter straight pieces with a single piece cut from a 40" section. For example, I would replace three consecutive 10" sections with a single 30" section cut from a 40" rigid section.
Allan
I make good use of the 40" rigid sections by replacing combinations of shorter straight pieces with a single piece cut from a 40" section. For example, I would replace three consecutive 10" sections with a single 30" section cut from a 40" rigid section.
Allan
I just buy the flex track. It can be used on tangents just as well as the straight track (and of course curves) whereas the straight track cannot be easily flexed.
