Bending Atlas O Gauge 3 Rail Flex Track

There was a guy with a 3 rail track bender, but he passed. I can send you a couple of more images if it helps.

I need to bend a few pieces of Atlas O to larger than O-95, but I have yet to try. What diameter have you tried? I read that anything less than O-100 is difficult.

Oman,

Wow thanks! Looks similar the the one by TrainsLI. Yes, more photos would be great.

The underside if you have it. Curious about the size and position of the rollers. Also, how it adjusts the degree of the curve.

I've tried 072. It can be done with one section, although not easily. At the ends the rail is just too rigid and breaks the small plastic spikes. Joining to another section on that tight of a radius was just not going to work.

L

@Lionnnn posted:

Oman,

 

Wow thanks! Looks similar the the one by TrainsLI. Yes, more photos would be great.

The underside if you have it. Curious about the size and position of the rollers. Also, how it adjusts the degree of the curve.

I've tried 072. It can be done with one section, although not easily. At the ends the rail is just too rigid and breaks the small plastic spikes. Joining to another section on that tight of a radius was just not going to work.

 

L

I have information on another supplier, but it involves removing the rails from the ties, bending then reinserting. I haven't tried removing rails.

Impressive looking tool. Do you have any idea where I can get one?

Regarding removing and reinserting the rails, they are set tight and don't move easily at all. I did try. Really not an option. Not like smaller gauges HO or N.

On my planned layout (bench work is currently under construction) I have 20+ segments that can only be flex or hand-laid. Fortunately much wider radii.

Was hoping to not use a majority of sectional curves, but I don't think I can avoid it. Trains seem to run smoother on staggered rail joinings.

L

It’s very hard to bend and doesn’t retain its shape. Best to work in small sections and put screws in as many ties as necessary to hold the shape. The ends are pretty much impossible to bend. 
if you’re just making o72s, use the sectional stuff. Even if you need a funny angle, just cut a segment of a sectional curve. They make the tie end sections to slide on after you cut track. I used the flex track once and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. I just make what I need from pre-bent sections. 

I uses,  cut and fit.   Atlas has track ends, sold separately, for fabrication of custom curve pieces. 

Flex track left in photo. 

I have the same track bender as Keith and it works well. You just run it back and forth over the area you need to bend. It also helps to work in smaller sections.

Andy

@Boilermaker1 posted:

It’s very hard to bend and doesn’t retain its shape. Best to work in small sections and put screws in as many ties as necessary to hold the shape. The ends are pretty much impossible to bend. 
if you’re just making o72s, use the sectional stuff. Even if you need a funny angle, just cut a segment of a sectional curve. They make the tie end sections to slide on after you cut track. I used the flex track once and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. I just make what I need from pre-bent sections. 

Thanks for reminding me. I was going to try to bend a piece of flex to O-90 because I need slightly more than 1 section. I'll buy 2 sections of O-90 and cut one.

I do need to bend 2 pieces to O-140 with straight ends. I think that's doable.