OMG! How do I put on connectors without stabbing myself?

[Sirfoldalot]

Do yourself a favor and get some Atlas joiners. I tried the micro engineering joiners and they seem to be too narrow for the bottom web of the Atlas flex. I got tired of bleeding and destroying track and joiners. I don't mind doing extra work,but doing surgery on every track joint to put on a joiner was unacceptable. Just my 2c

I was trying to think of that ... I seem to remember someone else saying the same thing at another time.

 

[montanan]

I ran across problems trying to join two different brands of flex track a while back. I normally use Shinohara (code 70) and decided to try Micro Engineering pre weathered flex track. The base of the rail was different from each other. I did have some Shinohara joiners and the ME rail was too thick to fit into the Shinohara joiners. I ended up using some Atlas N scale joiners. They fir perfectly on the Shinohara track, but the joiners kad to be squeezed with a pair of needle nose plyers to fit the ME flex track.

I really liked the look of the ME track, but found it a bit difficult to bend into a smooth curve as with many brands of flex track, one rail usually will slide through the ties easily whereas the ME track both rails were tight in the ties. I ended up using the ME track in a yard in straight sections.

 

[Warpiper]

Do yourself a favor and get some Atlas joiners. I tried the micro engineering joiners and they seem to be too narrow for the bottom web of the Atlas flex. I got tired of bleeding and destroying track and joiners. I don't mind doing extra work,but doing surgery on every track joint to put on a joiner was unacceptable. Just my 2c

Hi Rick,

Thanks, I'll give them a try.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Atlas has announced a new $4.95 tool for applying rail joiners:

That looks pretty cool. I'll have to get one of those, to add to the gadget box.

 

[santafewillie]

Atlas has announced a new $4.95 tool for applying rail joiners:

Atlas All-Scales Rail Joiner Sidekick

- Jeff

Where has this been all my life? I'm now down to the last maybe 50 joiners out of probably 2500 on the layout. Sure could have used one over the years. Might still get it!!!
Willie

 

[Greg@mnrr]

I use a spike driving tool to push the rail jointers into place. I purchased the tool years ago and it has a wooden handle and a metal spike holder. The jointers fit perfectly in the tool and I can drive them home with no effort.

Greg

 

[Repurposon]

Hey guys, Roofintrash has the right answer. Code 83 only means the height of the rail is 83 thousandths of an inch high and says nothing about the width of the web or foot. If you're using Atlas track and Microengineering joiners, I doubt you'll ever find a way to make them go on right. Atlas joiners are a little large and universal but work well. Walthers joiners will also work on Atlas track. Peco track is also really good looking but the web/foot is smaller and I've found the Atlas joiners a little loose on it. I haven't tried the Peco joiners on Atlas.

 

[Warpiper]

I use a spike driving tool to push the rail jointers into place. I purchased the tool years ago and it has a wooden handle and a metal spike holder. The jointers fit perfectly in the tool and I can drive them home with no effort.

Greg

Sweet! Thanks Greg.

 

[Warpiper]

Hey guys, Roofintrash has the right answer. Code 83 only means the height of the rail is 83 thousandths of an inch high and says nothing about the width of the web or foot. If you're using Atlas track and Microengineering joiners, I doubt you'll ever find a way to make them go on right. Atlas joiners are a little large and universal but work well. Walthers joiners will also work on Atlas track. Peco track is also really good looking but the web/foot is smaller and I've found the Atlas joiners a little loose on it. I haven't tried the Peco joiners on Atlas.

Hi Repurposon,

That's good to know. Thanks.