How to straighten flex track

[AdelaideRobin]

I purchased a box of Shinohara code 70 flex track of the net. It arrived and looks as though something heavy was dropped on it, it has taken on a shallow "V" shape, about a 20 degree angle. I placed the track between some pieces of plywood and clamped it. After a week I had taken out about half the bend but I'm stuck on how to get the track flat. Anyone have any ideas on how to get the track flattened out?

 

[OCN Guy]

I'd take it back, myself. I've never heard of flextrack bent like that.

 

[Ronzzr11]

Did you have the track clamped flat, or clamped to bend the track back slightly?

Ron

 

[AdelaideRobin]

Came ex US to me in Australia. Shipper said it was OK when it left him, Australia Post said it was bent when they received it and USPS have not replied to my inquiries.

My process for flattening the track started with just the plywood to flatten it, then some heavy books to apply some pressure and finally some heavy duty clamps to squeeze the two pieces of plywood always trying to flatten out the track. Releasing the clamps the track sprang back to about half the original angle, so yeah I did have the track clamped flat.

 

[CBCNSfan]

Those kinks will always be a source of problems. If you can't get any satisfaction for your loss, I'd cut the kinked portion out and use the rest of it. Solder and railjoiners. Just a suggestion of my honest opinion of course I have no idea of how bad the shallow "V" is.
Cheers
Willis

 

[PEIR]

Can you post a picture of one of the pieces so we can get a look at how bad it is?

 

[cajon]

Have you tried bending it over something in the opposite direction of the original bend? Experiment by doing the opposite bends a little at a time.

 

[AdelaideRobin]

Thanks to all of you who replied. Tried bending one peice slightly in the opposite direction and although it did flatten out the track some more it resulted in the rails themselves twisting so no longer vertical along the whole length. I think I need to follow the advice from CBCNSfan and cut out the bent sections and then use joiners and solder to put them back together. The track plan has enough areas to hide these peices, thanks again.

 

[Pete V]

Knowing what little I know about flextrak which is still too much, I would sadly buy some more and try to use this stuff later in areas where there will be less activitythan on your mainline. It reminds me of the old saw about how a bent wheel can't be mended. I find it to be too true.

Given the amount of time I can allow myself for my trains, I find nothing more frustrating than dealing with such basic issues as track gauge.

 

[PaulB]

Came ex US to me in Australia. Shipper said it was OK when it left him, Australia Post said it was bent when they received it and USPS have not replied to my inquiries.

That's an insurance claim job, my friend. USPS is responisble and they won't do anything if you don't chase them.

I live in Oz too. About the only thing I won't order from overseas is flexi track or bulk rail. Shipping is expensive due to the odd size and it is too easily damaged.

Either chase USPS and get them to do the insurance stuff or put it down to a learning experience.

PaulB

 

[TRAINFAN9510]

Sorry this had to happen, I bought a train off of a member on this form that worked perfectly fine when he shipped it (USPS), and it was insured. When we got it, it wouldnt run. We tried to file a claim with USPS but they basically told us we had no proof it ran right when the guy shipped it, so we had no claim. We told them we could print out the conversations between me and the other member stating that it ran perfectly fine, and we even had video of the train running, but they said that wouldnt be enough..... So I would have to agree with CBCNSfan on this one and cut and solder the track. You can try to file a claim, but you might just be in for a world of a headache. Good luck and this is why I dont trust the postal service lol