I read once on here about using the little black paper clips to hold track together. I am hoping some one can direct me to that older post please and thank you.
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They're called Binder Clips, I bought a whole box cheap in eBay: 231828828953
They are currently $5.49 with free shipping, that gets you 144 clips!
I found these to be the perfect size, they just fit over the sections and the handles lay flat inside.
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gunrunnerjohn posted:They're called Binder Clips, I bought a whole box cheap in eBay: 231828828953
They are currently $5.49 with free shipping, that gets you 144 clips!
I found these to be the perfect size, they just fit over the sections and the handles lay flat inside.
Thank you sir.
Frisco Brakeman posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:They're called Binder Clips, I bought a whole box cheap in eBay: 231828828953
They are currently $5.49 with free shipping, that gets you 144 clips!
I found these to be the perfect size, they just fit over the sections and the handles lay flat inside.
Thank you sir.
Get the EXACT mini clip Gunrunner says, they are great. You may want to buy a few extra
Brent
Thanks fellas! I bought some recently but they are 2 sizes to big. They hold the track up off surface. I zip tied my track together, but I've got to take it down to clean it, or stand on a ladder to reach it.
And, uhhhh, just what do these do? 
Rod
They hold the Fasttrack plastic roadbed sections together by clipping under the track across the joints.
They are much stronger than the built-in plastic pins.
Frisco Brakeman posted:Thanks fellas! I bought some recently but they are 2 sizes to big. They hold the track up off surface. I zip tied my track together, but I've got to take it down to clean it, or stand on a ladder to reach it.
I bought this size specifically because they just clipped around the middle of the joint and laid flush under the track. If they're any larger, they tend to hold the track up and create issues on a hard floor.
I would love to see a photo so I can take this in.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:I would love to see a photo so I can take this in.
Seconded. I've had my small carpet central come apart as it stays out into the summer as the kids like being down at the train level.
You just have to ask. 
They work great and keep the track from separating. I use them on all the curves and sometimes on straight sections.
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Thank you. Just when I thought I have seen everything.
Ingenuity at it's best!
I have to give original credit to ACDX Rob, he suggested these first. He uses the bigger ones, but I like this size as they allow the track to lay flat.
Great idea....I work for an accounting firm, and there must be 10,000 of those things in our supply cabinet. Think I'll grab a couple of boxes for next year's Christmas layout.
Gentlemen . . . . very interesting discussion . . . I've experienced the same issues (I'm 100% fastrack) with track separation and the associated current drops as the connections are compromised in my Christmas layout (which is taken apart annually), and a carpet central which constantly changes as I try new things. As I contemplate a permanent layout in my basement, it occurs to me that these clips would be a good way to fasten fastrack without committing to the permanence of screws, nails, zip-ties thru decking, etc. It seems that using binder clips as Guns suggests would only require an occasional permanent fastener to keep the track from "creeping"
I did notice the clips recommended above have a plastic gripping section. Is this important for this application? Does plastic provide some function that metal grips can not accomplish? Does the plastic grip maintain tension over time? Perhaps this a non-issue? Perhaps someone could advise before I pull the trigger on a couple of boxes.
Thanks
steam rules
"a country boy can survive!" (Bocephus, 1981)
Plastic gripping section? Mine are pure spring steel, no plastic that I see anywhere.
Guns, thanks for the quick heads-up. When I pulled up the 231828828953 e-bay #, I got the outfit in Austin Texas that sells 144 of them for 5.49 w/ free ship. I went to the product description to make sure they were what you recommended and under the "materials" heading it states "steel wire and durable plastic". I double checked the product picture, and the gripper body seemed to be thicker the the steel bodies I'm used to seeing in my desk drawer, hence the question.
If they have gone to a plastic body, would that make them a no-go in your opinion?
steam rules
"a country boy can survive!" (Bocephus, 1981)
That's the auction I bought mine from, and they are all steel. I think they have their descriptions confused.
A plastic body on such a clip would be a non-starter, it probably couldn't hold paper, much less track!
I'd be astounded if they suddenly changed from spring steel to plastic since I bought them.
Thanks again! I think I'll get a couple of boxes, what the heck, that's still less than a box of 30-30 shells, can't really go too wrong on that.
I appreciate all your help, you sure are a valuable asset to this forum.
steam rules
"a country boy can survive!" (Bocephus, 1981)
Curious, why not just go to your local office supply store?
Rod Miller
Because these are cheap and you don't have to drive anywhere to buy them. Add up the gas and the increased price of driving to an office supply store, and these are half price or less.
Coming in late but I tried the same clips on my repeatedly put up and torn down and expanding carpet layout with mixed results. But I like the idea and the price is right. Same issues with the fast track "joints" slowly wearing out or seeming to over time with use, and then the related power issues and so on. Instead I carefully go around it all with pliers who ends close in a more rectangular fashion vs the angled type of most pliers... and doing that before squeezing them together helps immensely.
Great idea! I will be scavenging a handful of these before next Christmas's layout gets underway!
Thanks,
J White
