Brew Man Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I've just started to build my new layout, (whoopee!) and am using wherever possible long lengths of Flexi. Up to now I've been cutting the track with my Dremel, which cuts extremely well but it's difficult to get the cut 90 deg to the vertical. This is due to the cutting wheel's diameter being less than the width of the Dremel's body, so it has to be raised slightly for the wheel to make contact with the rail and that creates an angle to the cut. So my question is, are razor saws suitable for cutting track, or are they only meant for plastics, card etc? I imagine they are fine but don't want to try it and find the teeth have all flattened in no time.Thanks for any information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 There is a special tool for cutting flexi track.Your local model shop (if you have one!) or a search on eBay will help. (search for 'Track cutting shears' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 Thanks, I've heard that they are not very good in that they 'pinch' the ends of the track. Or is that only some brands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 Proper Xuron track cutters will leave one side of the cut almost perfect and the other side a bit squashed. Obviously you cut the track in such a way that the good side is on the piece of track that you are going to use and the squashed side on the unwanted piece. If the unwanted piece is long enough to be used, just cut off the damaged end ready for it to be reused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 OK, that's a consideration, thanks, but in answer to my original question, will a razor saw do the job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I have used a razor saw successfully but it's not so easy. You need to hold the track firmly to stop the rails breaking out of the sleeper chairs as you cut. The teeth of the saw do become blunt after some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 OK, thanks, Rog, looks like the Xuron is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModelerXYZ Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I cut the rails with a normal pair of side cutters, and then clean them up with a file. Its not the quickest way, but it works.XYZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 Xuron rail cutters. For OO/HO code 100 rail use their top to bottom version item 2175B. BTW never use rail cutting Xurons to cut anything else such as point motor drive pins. It will ruin them!See https://xuron.com/blog/2019/07/model-railroad-track-cutting/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 I have tried junior hacksaw route which is a bit similar to a razor saw but I found that the rail had to be held and it was impossible to cut it with the rail in position. Then I used the Dremel that worked a lot better, but not too accurate. After reading these pages I decided to use a Xuron after everyone said they worked. I must I was a bit apprehensive at first, I have seen tools like this snap before but I was surprised, it does work. You are right about it pinching the rail, so I normally clean it up with the Dremel or a needle file. It is also easier to get the length more accurate with the Xuron as you can do it with the track in situ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 Thanks, all, good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordonvale Posted October 7, 2021 Share Posted October 7, 2021 How about a big boy's Dremel - the angle grinder.It works well with a 1mm disc. Always use away from the layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Xuron cutters are the ones mentioned here the most Brew Man. I don’t think I’ll be following GV’s advice anytime soon. He’s probably the type who never uses force when he’s doing repairs and maintenance to his fleet, just gets a bigger hammer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potterton Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I used to cut my track using a junior hacksaw may moons ago before I acquired a set of Xuron cutters. The main drawbacks with using a manual saw are it's laborious, arm aching and it requires more dressing with a file to tidy up the cut before fitting rails joiners, (fishplates). Also, it does tend to "eat" hacksaw blades. Using Xuron cutters is a lot easier, quicker and produces a neater cut requiring less finishing off with a file. Personally I feel they are well worth every penny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Worth noting there are two types of Xuron cutter - top to bottom and side to side. One is supposedly better for cutting rails in hand and the other for cutting rails in-situ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CORKY. Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Treat yourself to a flexi shaft for your Dremel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 I've ordered a Xuron. GV's suggestion sounds much like cracking an egg with a sledge hammer joy. @CorkyThe cheapest I've seen those is about twice the price I'm paying for the Xuron, though they might be useful for other applications unrelated to railways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 @96RAFYes I've seen the side-to-side ones. Might get one at some point. For now though since I'm laying my track afresh the top-to-bottom ones should do the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModelerXYZ Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Hey Fishmanoz- Getting a bigger hammer works on a real railway. If a big hammer breaks it, it wasn't in good enough condition to use anyway!But an angle grinder is definitely overkill for a model railway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 10, 2021 Author Share Posted October 10, 2021 My Xuron cutter was delivered today and wow! what a great tool. By far the easiest and probably neatest way to cut track IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted October 10, 2021 Share Posted October 10, 2021 I was equally impressed too, the first time I used a Xuron. A perfect example of using the right tool for the job in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordonvale Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 I saw this one on TV last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 That method could be a little heavy handed for 00 Gauge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 That method could be a little heavy handed for 00 Gauge! I have used a Dremmel with caberunom disk in 00 and it works well as you can also smooth any burrs off. I have also used a raisor saw in the past but this can snag unless you have a cutting jig.However I find the most convenient is to use a Xuron track cutter (use with flush side closest to the rail you want to keep. You will also need a small "Swiss" or needle file to remove any burrs aklthough these will be minimul when the cutters are new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 To get the cut vertical with the Dremel, I angled the disc away from the bit of rail I was keeping and just ground it straight downwards. This left a straight edge on the bit that was to be kept and an angle on the waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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