I've been using recycled insulators from old track or electrical tape. What do you use and where do you get them?
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Cannibalize old insulators, electrical tape never really worked for me, kept getting shorting issues where the rail cut thru the tape so I just used old insulators that I knew would work.
Jerry
I've used plain old thin cardboard for years successfully. Like the cardboard one would find on the back of a paper tablet for instance.
- walt
A dremel cut, styrene strips and CA.
Tin Man carries them
I've used card stock. I fold it around the rail and clamp it down with the tie. An insulating pin connects the rails.
cardboard flap from crackerz box end. They are even gray
This was a hot topic back in December.
See this thread:
https://ogrforum.com/...1#152899748520971871
Mike
The original material Lionel used is Fish Paper. They used it in a number of accessories and transformers, as well as the track insulators. You can get a sheet of it for about $5 on Amazon. You can cut it with a razor knife or scissors. You should be able to make a lot of insulators from one sheet.
I use thin cardboard or electrical tape. Any non-conductive material that will stay in place and won't be pierced by the tabs on the tie will work fine.
I would coat plain cardboard with clear fingernail polish to help hold it together.
Scotch 33 PVC electrical tape by itself can wear through. It might be good to use with card board.
Charlie
A double or triple layer of electrical tape has lasted decades without wearing through.
I have had to remove my insulating piece, that was held in place by clear nail polish. I have found the nail polish is conductive, at least enough to pass a small amount of current, and thus make the insulating cut in the track not work properly.
Now I just leave the gap in the track. It does not appear to be a problem. I file the edges to be sure they are not sharp to the touch, which should help preserve the rubber traction tires on the engines.
I’ve used file cards and electrical or friction tape. I now use fish paper. You can find it at on-line sources.
I salvage insulators and track pins from junk track sections and discard the rails and ties in the recycle bin.
Heat shrink tubing works just fine.
Use the right stuff, it's not expensive.
GC Electronics 560 Fish Paper, it's only $3.76 for a roll. First Class shipping is $4.99 from Digikey.
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If you really mean tubular track, my dad used tooth picks as joiners in the 50s. Never had a problem.
@Danr posted:The original material Lionel used is Fish Paper. They used it in a number of accessories and transformers, as well as the track insulators. You can get a sheet of it for about $5 on Amazon. You can cut it with a razor knife or scissors. You should be able to make a lot of insulators from one sheet.
I have seen a few mentions of this and now am curious. What is its original use? If it is what Lionel used, it seems a bit thick for wrapping fish.
A quick search reveals it is commonly used as an insulator. But how did it get its name?
fishpaper An insulating paper, often fiber- or oilcloth-like, used in the construction of transformers and coils. [Historical Note: Alvin G. Sydor writes: "In 1729 Stephen Gray made the discovery of the conducting and non-conducting power of different substances. Gray found that by using woven silk served as an excellent insulator. Some years later it was found that the paper industry could provide what was equivalent to woven silk. Later it was discovered that if the paper was saturated with fish oil its ability as an insulator was much improved particularly when used in harsh environments and high voltages.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:fishpaper An insulating paper, often fiber- or oilcloth-like, used in the construction of transformers and coils. [Historical Note: Alvin G. Sydor writes: "In 1729 Stephen Gray made the discovery of the conducting and non-conducting power of different substances. Gray found that by using woven silk served as an excellent insulator. Some years later it was found that the paper industry could provide what was equivalent to woven silk. Later it was discovered that if the paper was saturated with fish oil its ability as an insulator was much improved particularly when used in harsh environments and high voltages.
It had to be fun to work with back then; on the trolley going home people wouldn’t know if you were a fish monger or an electrician.
Big pieces of fish paper can be salvaged out of junk switches, Lionel or Marx (tubular track). Sometimes I take the bottom plate off a switch to do repairs and leave it off, solder ground connections as needed and have fish paper to spare.
Currently experimenting with this:
https://www.dickblick.com/item...-x-25-300-gsm-black/
$3.50 at Hobby Lobby. Enough for hundreds of insulators. 
Mitch
@gunrunnerjohn posted:fishpaper An insulating paper, often fiber- or oilcloth-like, used in the construction of transformers and coils. [Historical Note: Alvin G. Sydor writes: "In 1729 Stephen Gray made the discovery of the conducting and non-conducting power of different substances. Gray found that by using woven silk served as an excellent insulator. Some years later it was found that the paper industry could provide what was equivalent to woven silk. Later it was discovered that if the paper was saturated with fish oil its ability as an insulator was much improved particularly when used in harsh environments and high voltages.
Thanks for the entertaining history! I assume they don't actually use fish oil for it any more?
Hard to say Will, I haven't sniffed any fish paper lately! 
Sounds like the original question is ambiguous: does it mean insulating center rail from steel ties, or putting a break in a rail. Answers to both are above.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:fishpaper An insulating paper, often fiber- or oilcloth-like, used in the construction of transformers and coils. [Historical Note: Alvin G. Sydor writes: "In 1729 Stephen Gray made the discovery of the conducting and non-conducting power of different substances. Gray found that by using woven silk served as an excellent insulator. Some years later it was found that the paper industry could provide what was equivalent to woven silk. Later it was discovered that if the paper was saturated with fish oil its ability as an insulator was much improved particularly when used in harsh environments and high voltages.
Jerry
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Finish off a box of Triscuits (or breakfast cereal or the backing on a pack of AA batteries, etc.), grab the scissors, and you'll have all the insulators you need. The thin cardboard is well-suited to the task. If you want to go for it, you might even paint the cardboard pieces flat black on both sides before installing.
I made a post some time ago about buying MTH Standard Gauge track to put around the Christmas tree and having to repair nearly 100% of the pieces I bought because the insulators were all compromised. I sat and watched an NFL game with a trusty Lionel 1033 transformer on the table in front of me, a couple of leads and alligator clips, and, piece by piece, checked and replaced as needed.
I would also avoid electrical tape as, over time, the rails (or the ties on tubular track) will slice through and short out.
HTH.
Steven J. Serenska
Thanks all. I bought a couple of Fish paper sheets.
Has anyone evaluated clear plastic common on packs of alkaline batteries ?
@MikePGT81 posted:Has anyone evaluated clear plastic common on packs of alkaline batteries ?
Too brittle, too thin, too easily cut, too hard to see breeches.
Back in my younger years I grabbed a pack of matches and cut pieces out of the pack. They were perfect and they were Free.
