Recently ordered a case of 0-72 Menards track and noticed that they don't fit together very tightly.Do I need those special track pliers to tighten them up?
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Track Pliers can reform the rails for a tighter fit. Back in the day, Lionel made separate pairs for 0-27 and O, numbered ST-342 and ST-384. Several years later they dropped the distinct pairs and went to a single pair, ST-384.
You can get modern production pliers under that same part number. They will also work with Menards track. Forum Sponsor, @Harry Henning of Henning's Trains sells them:
Thanks!
Well, you can easily use the pliers to tighten the track pins, but you can also use a black rubber band to keep the track from opening up, or screw it down, or buy yourself a package of 100 black nylon wire ties and loop them around the track ties that will keep the track together. Zip them tight and your track and electric conductivity will remain in tact. If you need to open a piece of the zipped together track, just take a wire snip and cut the nylon tie. When you put the track together again, use a new nylon wire tie. Of course, Lionel did make metal track ties that slipped two metal ties together, but the only way to find those are at a train show (hopefully).
Sincerely yours, railbear601
I would say you got some early production track as the more recent run of track seems to fit better. Track clips don’t work on Menards track. You might consider sending it back but you risk the chance of getting the same case back if you order it again. If you don’t want to return it, go to your local hardware store with a piece of track and try some different tools such as a pair of end nippers or diagonal nippers and see which works best for you. I have had good luck with needle nose pliers, pinchIng right below the opening. I have not had the best luck with track pliers, as the track always seems to spring back open upon release.
Personaly I would send it back in hopes of getting the newer production on the next go around. Another option is to send it back and purchase new Lionel track from your local hobby shop or forum sponsor. O72 track is very plentiful and even though it is out of production most big shops still have plenty. E-bay is another option but look at the images closely to make sure the track doesn’t have the same problem.
Get there to Harbor freight tools for end nipper pliers. Harbor freight tools:home of the single use tool.
Not sending the track back...will try the suggestions posted here!
Try this guy. A friend told me about him and he makes special tools to tighten track pins or tighten down track tabs. I used these tools when I built my 5 rail track from the very same Menards 0-72 track your using and the tools worked excellent! Much easier on your hands than using pliers.
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That is cool!
The pliers will and will not work. If you look at both tracks you will see that the ties are farther from the end of the track on the menards track. therefore the ends open up easily. So you have to move the tie towards the end of the track. Then you can use the pliers.
Always test the Menards track pieces via continuity test, especially on the 30" pieces. I have found 2 pieces in every case that had a mistake on the center track insulation paper. Isolating the culprit later is a PITA. Another oddity to be aware of with the 30" pieces is that the spacing on the ties are different than the Lionel stuff so using those Lionel trestles is a not go.
Thanks!the track pliers seem to really help!I will test the track to make sure contact is good!
