Fast Tracks

Before ordering, I'm curious how critical it is for the type of rail to be used in an assembly fixture. I have and abundance of code 70 rail but not sure who it was maufactured by. For sure, it's not Micro Engineering.

Based on previously posted messages and some of the on-line documentation it seems that a different point building tool is required for each frog angle but not each rail size. Is this a correct assumption?

As a new member, I'm looking forward to being a Fast Tracks member and begin building some of that fantastic looking trackwork!

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Work smarter, not harder!

I'm wondering if I've offended someone with my questions. The moderators have posted messages or replies since my original message but still no reply.

Is communication restricted to "paying customers"?

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Work smarter, not harder!

Hi Terry,

The lack of a prompt response to your inquiries is entirely my fault. The forum is open to all modelers, customers or not, to post any questions or subjects they wish, we are not easily offended....

Answering the many emails we receive is a large part of my day, and occasionally one "slips through the cracks", my apologies for the oversight

To answer your question about rail, the assembly fixtures are built to work with specific rail, as there can be subtle, but critical differences in sizes from one manufacturers product to another.

We recommend Micro Engineering rail as it is the easiest to come by, and a very high quality product, but we manufacture fixtures to suit any type of rail desired. Most times there is no extra fee for this, all we require (if I don't have a sample on hand) is a sample of the rail sent to me to measure, preferably, 3 or 4 small pieces, cut from different lengths of rail, this way I can establish an "average" size of the critical dimensions.

Our PointForm tools are available for all turnout sizes from a #4 to #12 and will do a wide range of rail types. We have two sizes, one for rail from code 40 to 55, and one for 70 to 100, we are working on a large rail size as well.

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Cheers!

Tim Warris
Fast Tracks
http://www.fast-tracks.net
service@fast-tracks.net

Thanks Tim. I'll follow your suggestion to send a few pieces of rail and, depending on the result, decide if it's worthwhile pursuing or just buy an assembly fixture for Micro Engineering rail.

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Work smarter, not harder!

Tim,

I am very interested in trying out your fixtures. Until now I have been a flextrack/factory made track layer who has wistfully admired the grace of handlaid track.

Your tools have a definite appeal as I would like to model my new n-scale track with code 40 rail. Use of patterns, PCBs, soldering, laser cut ties, are especially inviting. However, I am not skilled working metal. Will your jigs match the BK Engineering turnouts made with Micro Engineering track?

I am interested in laying the BK assembled kits into your fixtures and use your fixtures as a base to solderattach their kits to your ties. I am most afraid of guage, proper alignment of frogs and points as well as the correct formation of points.

As you can tell, my biggest worry is that I will not be able to form the rails to the proper shapes. I am hoping that the BK Engineering turnout kits mated to your tie/rail fixture process could give me "ready-to-run" kits that look handlaid.

Perhaps as I become more accostomed to using your products I might experiment with building the whole turnout from stock rail.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Sincerely,

Tom Nolan

The short answer to this question is no. Fixtures are designed to hold the rail in very specific locations, and even a slight mis-match to the BK turnout would certainly cause trouble.

You could, however, solder the BK turnout to PC board ties, just use an NMRA track gauge to ensure the rails stay in gauge when you are soldering. Place the ties in locations similar as those shown on our printable tie templates. Be sure to cut the gaps in the copper cladding on the PC board between the ties otherwise you will get a short.

Using a fixture to assemble a turnout eliminates much of the difficulty in building a turnout. The PointForm tool will ensure that the angles on the Frog and Switch points are very precise without much effort, simply file the rail flush to the side of the tool and the angle will be formed.

If you can do simple soldering, and use a file, you should have little trouble constructing a turnout in one of our fixtures.

Hope this helps...

_________________
Cheers!

Tim Warris
Fast Tracks
http://www.fast-tracks.net
service@fast-tracks.net

Tim,

Your answer was helpful. I do understand the differences between your form and BK's kit.

I imagine that after a few turnouts built I would get better. Your method would be more complete, and cheaper than using your process with BK's rail kit.

Thanks again for your reply!