Track Joiners

[AlanL]

dennishodge
There is a good reason that slotted screws in the rail clamps are best for use in the garden - When they get filled with dust/debris the slot is easily cleaned out.
I myself prefer the philips, pozi or torx head screws but clearing their heads is a proper pain.
As regards getting the srcews started, that is best done at your workbench. Just screw them a few turns. You can then locate the profile of the clamp around the base of the track and rotate the clamp up into position.

Alan

 

[AlanL]

Anyone got any offers for good track joiners?
Fed up of the crappy LGB ones that never work electrically after a season

I would vote for the Massoth style clamps. the screw bites into the rail base making an excellent mechanical and electrical connection.

Alan

 

[Gizzy]

I'm currently fitting Hillman Clamps which I obtained from Zerogee, to the extension on my railway. Time consuming, but I'm making up panels to join together.

I hope to have enough to do the rest of my track, but I reckon I may new a few more.

Some of my track is fitted with the Massoth type clamps as well....

 

[Eaglecliff]

Ordered 3x10 packs of Massoth-type connectors from GRS (no connection) yesterday, arrived this morning via GPO, slightly ironic that two joiners cost more than half of an average second-hand 30cm of track, but I’ve never had a problem with them unless you count over-tightening. If you need to cut a length of LGB track, you’re going to lose at least one joiner and the replacement is only going to be slide-on anyway. Back to the controversy - which side do you put the screws? I put mine on the less-visible side at any given point. Oh, and you usually get a couple of solder tags thrown in per pack.

 

[PhilP]

Back to the controversy - which side do you put the screws? I put mine on the less-visible side at any given point.

I have always put them to the outside.. Perceived wisdom being there is then no-chance of over-deep flanges hitting the screws..
But I think the chances of that are pretty minimal.

 

[dennishodge]

I had been putting the screws on the inside so that they're less visible. Of course I just watched a new Trainli video which, in passing, mentioned that "of course" you put the screws on the outside. I'm assuming that's because (in my experience) there is slight variation in rail dimensions and the brass clamp side will keep the inside of the rail that mates with your flanges in perfect position, and the screws can bite into the rail to adjust. (If you take one off, the screws often take a little bite out of the bottom side corner edge of the rails).

 

[dunnyrail]

I had been putting the screws on the inside so that they're less visible. Of course I just watched a new Trainli video which, in passing, mentioned that "of course" you put the screws on the outside. I'm assuming that's because (in my experience) there is slight variation in rail dimensions and the brass clamp side will keep the inside of the rail that mates with your flanges in perfect position, and the screws can bite into the rail to adjust. (If you take one off, the screws often take a little bite out of the bottom side corner edge of the rails).

Inside outside for lack of visibility? Logic suggests that if you do not wish to see the screws they should always be on the side of the rail away from you. Thus to the centre of the track on the rail nearest to you and the outside on the rail furthest from you. But to be honest once in the garden and when they have weathered down I find that I do not notice them either way. For the purist the flange that catches the rail is far too large anyway, just one of the compromises that we have to accept for reliable running on track juice plus the security that clamping guves.