Soldering Gargraves Track

Jdevleerjr posted:

My soldering skills are really lacking and I only own a cheap Radio Shack Soldering iron.  

I need to solder 3 sections of Gargraves Flex Track together so I can bend it as a single track to an O42 curve.  

What is the best/easy technique to solder the track?

 

Thank you

Morning, if its stainless steel, like my old track was I couldn't solder it with my cheap iron and normal solder. I ended up having to bend each section of flex track, even up the ends attach the next and move on. I used electrical spades pushed up from the bottom for drops.

I hope someone has some good news for you!

Short answer, don't do it.  Longer question, how long are these three sections?  If they are all relatively short you might just be better off getting the first piece as close to your desired radius, then use that as a template for the other two.  Just secure that one, flip each of the others over and into the previously installed track and gently make your curve.  Back when I was laying track I used several purchased curves as templates, it seemed to save me a great deal of angst.

You know, Gargraves makes curved O42 track sections. Soldering straights together so that you can bend them is a bad idea.

Not really necessary in most cases but if I was to try, I would probably try to solder pieces of solid wire across the joints.

Please read what Barry said above. I have bent Gargrave track with success but it does take a little practice to get it right.

I can see someone who builds layouts professionally going that route, but for me I use Gargrave turns. 

As for soldering flex track in a line, don't do it. The bending process requires the rails to slide independently through the ties. When the ends are soldered together it can and probably will inhibit that process. 

For a person who is not too good with soldering I suggest getting a crimp tool and some spade connectors. Crimp the connectors onto the end of your wire and run the terminal of said connector up and into the bottom seam of the track. If you use a connector rated for 16 gauge wire it should hold firm in the seam much the way track pins hold into the ends of your track. Then drill a hole in the bottom of your platform and run your wire through it. 

This will provide a clean and hidden termination that is mechanically sound and electrical efficient.

Have fun!

I concur - don't do it. Learned from experience. The best instructions I've found for making nice smooth curves with multiple pieces of Gargraves track is straight from the instructions found in the Gargraves box. Not hard, no special tools required. Also found on their website 'Fastening down curves for smooth joints'.

If you are using three 3' sections, the inner rail will wind up being 6" longer than it needs to be. The center rail will be a few inches shorter but still too long.  The rails will have had to travel through many ties. Each tie creates friction. Better to bend each one, trim the rails, and install.

Soldering them together will not create a strong mechanical joint, only a mediocre electrical joint.

Jdevleerjr, Barry is right. I never attempted to solder track first then bend it. As you bend the track and going to the small radius you want the inner rail will extend a lot further out then the others and if they are soldered they are going to hang up on the ties. I just did an area where at first I thought I would bend the track myself but after a bit of thought I ordered a few 0-32 from Gar Graves saving the three foot lengths for other areas............Paul

Thanks guys, I will skip the soldering. 

The main reason I want to bend the track is I already own it.  I will try to bend a few pieces and see if i can get a good enough bend myself.  

Jdevleerjr posted:

Thanks guys, I will skip the soldering. 

The main reason I want to bend the track is I already own it.  I will try to bend a few pieces and see if i can get a good enough bend myself.  

If you build a jig, and fasten one end and slowly work down the track a few time it can be done. just go SLOW!

mike g. posted:

Jdevleerjr posted:

Thanks guys, I will skip the soldering. 

The main reason I want to bend the track is I already own it.  I will try to bend a few pieces and see if i can get a good enough bend myself.  

If you build a jig, and fasten one end and slowly work down the track a few time it can be done. just go SLOW!

Another good idea that worked for me is to take an old tire that is roughly the same size as the bend you wont to make and use that as a form. After measuring for fit cut the rails using the ties as a guide and the continue with your next piece.

When done with the tire return it to the store where you got it for proper disposal.

This was done, free bend at double the diameter mentioned. O 90 the largest half circle.   O 42 would be a lot more work. IMO, Mike CT

12 track cuts were done with the red handled Sawzall pictured.  Track modules break down for ease of transportation.

Doing it right involves spending some money.Thats just the way it is.Just sayin.Nick

I bent most of the Gargraves curves on my layout one section at a time using home made 3/4" plywood jigs on a table top. You clamp the jig down to the table. You hold one end of the straight track against the jig and with the other hand wrap it around the jig. Result perfect bend. The other option is to use Ross curved track. Great stuff!

If you are using stainless steel track, I have yet to find a solder that will work on it. Standard phantom track solders fast and easy provided you clean the area with a Dremel and a small wire brush beforehand.

Jdevleerjr posted:

Thanks guys, I will skip the soldering. 

The main reason I want to bend the track is I already own it.  I will try to bend a few pieces and see if i can get a good enough bend myself.  

Before you start, I'd suggest you detail how you plan to bend the track; i.e. what's your process?

What tools will you use?  What screws will you use to secure the track?  What will you use to cut the uneven ends of the track once bent?  And so on.....

Also, how much curved track do you need?  I ask because I've had good luck buying, at very good prices, small diameter curved Ross and Gargraves track by posting in the WTB forum here at OGR; and, did just that a couple of years ago for a small Christmas layout.  Frankly, having bent my fair share of Gargraves track on a modest sized around the room layout years ago, and still having all of the tools required to do so for a small Christmas layout, buying used sectional track was a FANTASTIC decision if I do say so myself. 

Question:  If I bought sectional track does that mean I'm disqualified from "doing all of the work on my layout?"

I wouldn't even try to bend it that small. If it's old track, it's even harder to bend. Just bite the bullet and buy the sectional curves. You'll find a use for that flex eventually anyway.