In a previous thread I mentioned a product a customer/friend alerted me to. it is called the split jaw power clamp. I thought it would be a neat alternative to soldering wire to track. As it turned out while the clamp fits perfectly between ties on Ross track it was too wide for Atlas O track.
After working with Jerry from Split jaw Products INC. I am pleased to say a solution was found. Jerry machined 1/32 inch off each side of the clamps for a full 1/16 inch. The machined jaw fits in between the ties on Atlas O track now.
What follows is some insights I put together for using the clamps.
1. There are no issues using the full sized clamp on Ross track. The allen wrench fits between the rail and the bottom chord so tightening the clamp anywhere on the track is no problem. Disregard the chip in the wood.
2. The machined clamp is shown with the standard size below.
3. The machined clamp works with Atlas O track now with the following modification - the plastic bar on the bottom of the track has to be cut away so the clamp fits the track (about 30 seconds with a razor saw). To attach the clamp to the inner rail the plastic bars on the inner rail along with one outer rail need to be cut off to allow room for the allen wrench. After cutting the bars for the photo below I decided it was much easier to cut all three plastic bars in the same section to allow clamps for all three rails.
4. The standard sized clamp will work with Gargraves track but the bottom portion of the rail needs to be cut away. I did this with a dremel tool.
5. Last item the machined clamp can be used in place of a rail joiner connecting two Atlas O tracks but the plastic 'snaps' need to be cut off. If one to do so the clamp can even be used with the rail joiner.
The clamps are available through Spit Jaw Connectors - 503-762-4822 or www.railclamp.com. Just make sure you ask for the machined version for Atlas O track. The part number I am using is B-250-PSC-5.0 which is the Brass version. The crimp connects will hold 14-16 gauge wire.
Joe
