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N Gauge Fishplates
Colin asks you this question:
“What is the best and easiest way of making a good joint on N gauge flexi track and set track. I have noticed if you undo a joint the fishplates spread to much to rejoin and make a good contact.”
Comment on Colin’s posting using the green comments link below.
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The fishlates arebeing opened up by the burr left after cutting the flexi track. Be sure to file this off paying partcular attention to the rail sides as it is this area that normally opens up the fishplate. If your fishplates have opened out at the top then the side burr is the cause. A burr on the rail base normally makes it difficult/impossible to get the fishplate on in the first place.
I have run into the same problem you mention though it is more due to attaching and reattaching track sections together. The first response provided here by Anonymous is good and should be checked but I would also suggest carefully compressing the fish plate/ rail joiners with a pair of Vice Grips. You can adjust how much the Vice Grips close by turning the thumb screw at the back of the tool. Once you get to a ‘setting’ that slightly compresses the rail joiner to make a snug fit on the rail, you can do a number of them without rechecking the Vice Grip setting. After you have done about a dozen compressions or so, recheck the Vice Grip gap since it will shift a bit as you use it. Hope this helps.