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…..--- Sawmill Curved Turnouts -- Pt. 2 & Build Tips ---======================================

The last turnout needed for the north side of the sawmill scene. Hopefully a few tips that will help you if you haven't made a turnout with a template or have.

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I only have the one Fast Track PointForm tool but have been able to use it for every turnout/crossing I've made. Not quite as handy as having the the correct one for the frog angle you need but works, kind-of. I'll use it quickly to file to the #6 angle then loosen the fixture and slide the rail out a bit and carefully file it down to close to a #10 angle in this case. Take it out and check in the soldering aid fixture and adjust as needed. Probably spent about 5 minutes on the two rails need for this frog and then proceeded to solder them together.

As usual for about everything I solder I have my 60 watt iron set to as hot as it goes. Use a liquid flux that flows down into the joint or under a tie if that is what I'm soldering and get on and off the solder joint as soon as the .6mm solder flows into the joint. Using a lower heat means the heat travels further before the solder melts and that can cause damage at times.

Soldering to PCB ties, heat on for too long can lift the copper foil off the center of the PCB, soldering track joiners, heat for too long can melt the plastic ties and the same with components when soldering an electronics project.

Soldering iron I'm using now that works great and it is easy cheap to get extra tips ( HERE ).

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Measure often, especially in the area by the frog and points.

I started building turnouts and cutting isolation gaps in the rails with an OK saw that only have one tensioning position, top left on the image above. It was hard to get the blade tensioned as tight as it should be and I had blade breakage and it was harder and took longer to make the cuts. I then got the saw above ( HERE ) and after tightening the top back tension you can hone in on a good tension with the wing nut on the lower front. Blades don't break as often and cuts are finished much sooner. I use to dread doing the cuts. Now in a few minutes I'm done.

Also the vise is vital ( HERE) along with quality blades ( HERE ).

Next up is three more curved turnouts for the south side of the sawmill tracks. Then turnout testing and installing along with the ME code 55 flex track.

To be continued and a link to this whole build ( HERE ).

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