11-03-2009, 01:26 PM
Speaking of track feeders.
I good trick I learned recent is to take your 20 or 22 gauge solid feeder wire and bend a short piece of it at a 90 degree angle near the end. Then squish the end with some smooth jawed pliers. The idea is to get a feeder that looks like a small track spike. To install it drill a small hole through one of your ties as close to the rail as you can get it (either inside or outside) and drop your feeder through. Once installed and painted the feeder wire looks just like a spike head. I've been using this method on my handlayed stuff and the feeders are hardly noticable.
If you are worried about heat melting your flex track ties and to speed up the whole process to minimize the heat transferred pre tin the feeder a good flux (I use an Acid Flux, I just clean and neutralize it with some Iso Alcohol when done) and use some metal clamps for heat sinks. Some cold wet paper towels laid as close as possible to work area also help avoid any plastics melting.
I good trick I learned recent is to take your 20 or 22 gauge solid feeder wire and bend a short piece of it at a 90 degree angle near the end. Then squish the end with some smooth jawed pliers. The idea is to get a feeder that looks like a small track spike. To install it drill a small hole through one of your ties as close to the rail as you can get it (either inside or outside) and drop your feeder through. Once installed and painted the feeder wire looks just like a spike head. I've been using this method on my handlayed stuff and the feeders are hardly noticable.
If you are worried about heat melting your flex track ties and to speed up the whole process to minimize the heat transferred pre tin the feeder a good flux (I use an Acid Flux, I just clean and neutralize it with some Iso Alcohol when done) and use some metal clamps for heat sinks. Some cold wet paper towels laid as close as possible to work area also help avoid any plastics melting.