OK, so I cheated...

I think that's the tightest I've ever seen GG track bent. But hey, as long as it works!

Rod

ROD, Like the tagline!!

Kinda like the quote in ARGO....' No Bob, That's a BAD idea.........' "Well Ted, It's the BEST Bad Idea we got"......

I have read somewhere using a curve "gig" would work.  Was it from GG themselves?

I like it.

I used a shop vac body as a jig around which to basically bend the flex:

However the joint ends still wanted to peak out.  Not conform to the circle.  When I pushed the joint in the force squished odd shapes around the circle.  The  tabs shown tacked in place did not perform as expected.  This disk provided the best  alignment tool so far.

Maybe sectional track has it's place...

That's not cheating, it's called ingenuity.  And a good hunk of multi-ply didn't go to waste.

Very innovative, Tom!!  Certainly not cheating!

Back in the 80s, there were a few people who were building their own track-forming jigs for GarGraves flex. I've never used GG on curves, so I can't comment on the ease of doing so, but I do think it requires patience and not-too-tight a curve - to my eye, even 031/032 is pretty tight for flexing, but Tom did a great job.

Gargraves works great on 180 degree curves. Very little bending and no forms required!

What's your time and mental health worth?   I've tried to bend GG that tight and never succeeded; buying 8 curved sections from Mario's (good price plus free shipping) was the best thing I did for my Christmas tree layouts.

In the FWIW category, I saved these images from an old thread that I can’t find now.  Here are some jig dimensions(instructions) that may be useful for members in the future.

click the image to enlarge

While I dont have GG bending experience, seems to me that one could use a dinner plate...large serving dish....snare drum...pizza baking pan...car tire rim (not while the car is moving)

there must be numerous "stand in" templates.

My best bending jig for tight radius curves in GG has been my stomach.

Great work.

Also the reason I buy pre-formed curves. I adjust my dreams to the GG/Ross catalogues. Turns out there weren't many differences.

I built a layout once using GG flex track; ugliest thing I've ever seen. It was me, not the product (but I had no "stomach" yet - that was my problem!). Next layout, I used ready-made curves, with the exception of a couple of gentle "easings" into areas.