Flex Track Bender

     OwlInBog just remember you can not duplicate something exactly or you might have A law suit on your hands for copy right infringements. Now if you change 1 size some were on the tool you are not copying it exactly. Choo Choo Kenny  

It is my understanding that Norm passed away some time in 2014. What happened to his model supply i don't know but i hope somebody takes over and starts making product again.  I have one of his track benders but have not used it yet.

I guess I am not up to date.  What did his machine do?  I used about 280 feet of Atlas flextrack on my layout and never used a trackbender.  

This one is for 2-rail o scale track but knowing the owner, if he received lots of emails asking for a 3-rail version he'd make it.

http://www.trainli.com/track-t...fc5a60df602c4252996b

When I built my Atlas-O "Death Spiral" a few years back, I used one of these bending machines from Micro-Mark to bend the rails for the tightest curves.

As per instructions from Gargraves, I made three bending jigs from 3/4" plywood....032, 054 and 072. I just clamp the plywood jig to a table, clamp one end of flex track against the end of the jig, and by applying a pressing action (holding the track flat to the table) I bend the track around the jig. You then test fit and if everything is OK, the ends are cut square with a Dremel tool using a 2" carbide wheel. T= I would think that the same technique should be applicable to Atlas track.

I have one of Norm's rail benders - and it works like a champ! That said, I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was an absolute pleasure to work with.

I do have his home email addy. The domain name was renewed Aug 2014 and is still active per whois....but I don't know if anyone is monitoring the box. I'll send an email to see if there is any response. I'm not sure if his wife was active in the business.

Mark440,

That would be great if you could contact someone to see if there is a possibility of getting any more of these.  I would not look forward to either removing rail from the flex tracks for individual bending or having to make jigs -especially for bending transition pieces to fit odd places on a layout.  I also appreciate the comments about not having hitches in the ends of the rail sections where they connect.

Steve

Lee, this tool is used for bending track and from what i have read makes the job easier to do and quicker.

Chuck,

I just sent a request for a 3-rail version of Trainli's bender.  Will post if I hear back on it.

Steve

My email to Norm's home addy was returned as undeliverable. I ran a couple searches, and it appears Norm did pass away last February 22nd. I was not able to find any information as to anyone taking over his rail bender business.

Here's a link to a PDF showing a jig to bend Gargraves Track at different radius':

http://www.modelstructuresinc....raves_Track_rev1.pdf

And here's a couple pics from an earlier post:

Didn't someone a while back post a pic of a railbender they had made from steel bar stock and stacks of washers?

Jerry

I'd like to see that.

Here it is:

For the folks interested in a track bending tool, what track are you trying to bend?  I ask because I've bent a lot of Gargraves flex Phanthom tiplate and it was easy with a couple of jigs as previously described.

Is it needed for Atlas?  LIONEL or some other vendor of specific radius/diameter sectional track that you wish to disassemble in a different radius?

I ask, also, because whatever brand track is bent, the ends will need to be trimmed.  So is it the pursuit of a perfectly even, 90 degree cut that is sought?  Such cuts are possible without a bending machine.

Edit:  Are specific radii necessary "to fit" computer generated lay-outs?

     I have access to A machine shop and I may be able to make something like what is pictured 5 posts above. I would need to know how many need to be made and how much someone is willing to pay? Choo Choo Kenny 

Carl,

The specific track I want to bend is the Atlas 21st Century flex.  As for the ends - only need to trim the ends where I need to connect to a switch or other fixed track section.  Where flex connects to flex, the uneven ends are actually preferable as it will stagger the connections for smoother running.  Either way, easy to trim ends with a dremel and cut-off wheel.

ChooChoo - I don't have a clue about how many might be interested or what the cost would be.  It would certainly be worth some $$ to me to have an adjustable device similar to Norm's design for making smooth and variable bends in the track - especially for being able to make transition bends from larger to smaller radii for smoother and more realistic running.  I guess I would have to wait for an estimate of the cost to see if it would be in my budget.  Clearly one designed for 3 rail would work as well for 2 rail either with or without removing the center set of rollers.

Years ago I tried working with 2 rail HO flex using hand and jigs and I ended up making quite a mess with kinks and it seemed impossible to get the exact bends I wanted.  Don't want to go down that road again with the O-gauge.

Is it time to take a poll to see how many might be interested?  Would still like to see if Norm's design is protected of if there are drawings available from his estate that might make things easier.  Even if there is a cost involved, a proven design may well be worth it given sufficient demand.  Beyond this forum, there are a lot of local clubs that could be contacted as well.  Is there anyone located in the area where Norm had his shop (Las Cruces, NM) that might be able to research and/or contact his estate?

Steve

Norm's bender works via gradual increment. Not sure exactly of the incremental degree...but I do know you can't torque it down and bend to any large amount in one felled swoop. Doing so will probably pop the roller/bearings. I used it on Atlas 21st. It did create a smooth bend across the full length of track That said, I tried to torque it down to bend 'faster' - and it popped one of the bearings. So, I'd recommend the approach be slow and gradual.

As for the track - and with all metals - you actually have to bend it further than you may want as it will 'spring back' a certain amount after the pressure is relieved.

It appears to work like a tubing roller:

You start out straight, and run the tube back and forth through the roller while gradually increasing the pressure until you get the curve that you want.

Steve, thanks for the reply.  I've read about using staggered ends, but confess I never seriously tried to do it using Gargraves.  I briefly tried doing this a few times, but found the sharp tinplate rails cut my fingers, and protective gloves only made my efforts to slip crossties over tinplate rails impossible.  Hence, the Dremel and large cut-off wheel became my friends.

Good luck with the rail bender.

If there is ongoing pursuit of the bender, I am needing one, as I have 350 feet to bend.

Do these benders all require removing the rails from the ties and bending one rail at a time? Each rail will require a different radius.

Will that work on all brands of track?

Wouldn't you like the bender to operate on the assembled three rail track, bending all three rails at the same time to the proper radii?

For GarGraves flex track I just use my big fat belly. After I get the shape I want, the ends get squared with the chop saw. Easy peasy.

Atlas track is a booger to bend.

     Ron S I was going to look into making some of the track benders through A machine shop I have access to but as you can see only owl in blog was interested in getting one made and that was back in Jan. You are only the second person to ask about having one made in 7 months. I am disabled and on limited income so for me to buy material, screws and baring's in in any major quantities and only sell 1 or 2 A year would not be profitable for me. It would take years to get my original investment back let alone make any profit. Roy Boy the video in this post is for doing one rail at A time. The 2 pictures in this post shows A bender that can do code 100, 125 and 148 in 2 or 3 rail. The bender will bend both or all 3 rails while the cross ties are still connected to the rails for 2 or 3 rail. I am laying Gar Graves track and I mark the center line if where I want my tracks to go on the layout. Then I nail down my cork road bed on either side of the lines. I then pre drill holes in the wooden cross ties so they don't split and screw down A straight piece to start. I then connect another piece of track to the one that is screwed down and start curving it by hand. You have to keep an eye on the connection pins as you make your curves and as the rails come apart you have to tap the rails back together before the pins come out of the rail. When taping the rails back together use A block of wood so you don't damage the rail. I have 2 cases of Gar Graves track that I am using to complete my layout and this method of laying track has worked for me but it may not work for some people. I hope some of this info is helpful to someone and everyone take care. Choo Choo Kenny

Ron

might have a solution for you.

call me or stop by the layout

Bill,   My oldest son is in town until Friday morning, bringing him by the layout sometime tomorrow afternoon. Will see you there!!