Durham Boy Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 I am new to all this, so be gentle with me please - I realise that this will be well below the paygrade of many forum readers but I would welcome advice about the fitting of these insulating fishplates please: while they seem (relatively) easy to place onto the faces of the points it seems surprisingly difficult to achieve joining the two points together without the plastic either bending or breaking (or both), partivularly when attaching to the rest of the layout. At least I now understand why these are sold in packs of 12. Any suggestions would be most helpful - the fact that, if fitted, it seems impossible to re-align up the rest of the layout as laid down to fit looks like tomorrow's problem. Thanks in advance........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 My only advise would be to make sure both pieces of track being joined are on a flat surface. Don’t try and join the track when airborne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanQ4 Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Don’t try and join the track when airborne.Especially if you are skydiving 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durham Boy Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 My only advise would be to make sure both pieces of track being joined are on a flat surface. Don’t try and join the track when airborne.Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 Alwas connect the awkward bits togehter first and join the various lumps together along an easily reached straight part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 If you have one, slide a 3mm jeweler's screwdriver into the plastic fishplate first, to stretch it a little, then before the plastic can shrink again, slide it onto the rail. (It helps a little if you don't keep them in the freezer! 😛 ) They are very fiddly. A mere trace of soapy water also helps the plastic to slide along the rail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Make a fitting tool ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Neat idea - but that is for metal finger-stabbers! The IRJ is too floppy for that. (and nearly imossible to find again if you put it down, or it flirts away!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovlid Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 I have only started into Model railway hobby since this time last year and have the complete track mat setup. I have download the excellent Getting Started (Sets and Track Extension Packs), posted in a sticky by Chrissaf.I am stuck on page 16 installing the Isolating Fishplates onto the R8073 Right Hand Point. I have no idea how this is accomplished, and there is little to no information on the internet of how to do this, only replacing metal fishplates.Thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 An insulated fishplate is exactly the same as a metal one with respect to fitting.You pull off the existing but redundant metal fishplate at the locations indicated by Chris and replace it with a plastic one.I find side cutting snips can be used end on, then grip the metal fishplate base with the snip blades in the groove. They can be stiff to remove and you must be careful not to pop the rails out of the sleepers, especially at points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Hodges Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I agree with Rob.Grab the R920 plastic fishplate with pliers or similar tool.Hold it as close to the end as you push it gently home. That will prevent them snapping in half.Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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