I have been looking for months now and cannot find anyone who has them in stock or knows when they will get any. I am on a backorder list at no less than three shops. Anyone at Bachmann know if these will be produced any time in the next year so that I know whether or not I have to re-design my layout. Thanks
If you want to buy from France here's a set. Expensive but it depends how bad you want them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-5-raccords-Bachmann-HO-1-87-/322429432962?hash=item4b124ab482:g:GbMAAOSw1DtXH2SB
You might want to check the place below. It doesn't say they are out of stock.
http://www.activepowersports.com/bachmann-44592-e-z-track-connector-assortment-ho-44592-model-train/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAl4TGBRDhgvmikdHPsdABEiQAtBcc8LvYSLD7RUVtIqC-2OEV9x0aRmnTy-gvw31HFxTdb6YaAoP28P8HAQ
I checked a bunch of places that I buy from and they are all out.
Thanks for the reply but... I don't want to have to be ordering from overseas. I am re-working my layout as we speak on SCARM. Active Powersports is indeed out of stock, I have already gotten my money back from them after some e-mailing. They've gotten a good number of bad reviews for listing things as in stock that were not. I just will have to settle for my first layout I suppose.
This is one regard where regular sectional track has it over EZ track.
Yes, I hear that. This will be my first track layout so I wanted to use EZ-track to make it easier... Not so much I found out. Still though, after my re-work, I think that it will still be pretty good.
What parts are you actually looking for out of the sets and how many of each ?
EZ Track can be cut to any length....with a Razor Saw and a Mitre box.
Look for 40+ TPI blade.
Quote from: Penn1974 on March 10, 2017, 02:56:53 PM
What parts are you actually looking for out of the sets and how many of each ?
With what I had put together previously, I was needing 1 @.75" 2 ea @ 1.0" and 1.5" and 3 @2" but I have already redesigned my first layout and have gotten all of the parts.
Quote from: James in FL on March 10, 2017, 07:16:20 PM
EZ Track can be cut to any length....with a Razor Saw and a Mitre box.
Look for 40+ TPI blade.
I'll file this under good to know. For my first layout I didn't want to do too much custom work as I will be handing it over to my nephew when I am ready to move onto more involved layouts and installations.
Quote from: James in FL on March 10, 2017, 07:16:20 PM
EZ Track can be cut to any length....with a Razor Saw and a Mitre box.
Look for 40+ TPI blade.
Queries: Start cutting from the top of the track or underside? Does one cut from the underside until reaching the ties, then separate the roadbed portion and cut rails with a pair of Xurons? What does one have to do after cutting it, to create space between the bottom of the rails and the plastic roadbed for rail joiners?
My method is to use the Xuron cutters first, flush side towards the part you want to use. Then slide the 'waste' rail over and cut through the ties and roadbed from the top. If it's long enough, save the 'waste' section for future use.
Len
Thanks for the response, Len.
With the plastic roadbed in the way, how good of a cut can you get, since you cannot place the rail in position to be all the way in the jaws of the Xuron? The roadbed has to interfere with the tip of the Xurons using that method, since you can only get the tip of the cutters against the rail, no? It is not like cutting regular style sectional track where you have the ability to pass the Xuron all the way through the piece of track to cut the rails. ???
Plastic's not as hard as rail, so I just let the tip of the Xuron's cut into the tie. Seems to work fine.
Len
Thanks for the explanation.
And there is room enough the way it is, to just be able to slide rail joiners onto the cut ends, w/o having to do anything else?
I use a 52TPI Zona saw to trim away some tie material to make room for the rail joiner.
Len
How? By then cutting from the underside of the roadbed toward the ties and rails?
Between the rails and ties, like this:
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l529/Pickanotherid/EZ-Track/EZ-TrackTieTrim_zpsv6ljknxb.jpg)
Len
QuoteQueries: Start cutting from the top of the track or underside? Does one cut from the underside until reaching the ties, then separate the roadbed portion and cut rails with a pair of Xurons? What does one have to do after cutting it, to create space between the bottom of the rails and the plastic roadbed for rail joiners?
I'd put it in the Mitre box rails up, and cut down through it.
If the ties need trimmed to fit joiners, an exacto will work fine, just whittle away at it.
In the past, I have also shortened rail joiners as necessary.
Quote from: Len on March 11, 2017, 01:17:15 PM
Between the rails and ties, like this:
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l529/Pickanotherid/EZ-Track/EZ-TrackTieTrim_zpsv6ljknxb.jpg)
Len
Great illustration
Len, thank you. But, WOW! Seems like mighty fine work. Is there not a high risk doing it that way, for snagging the rail and bending it upward and perhaps pulling it from the ties?
Quote from: James in FL on March 11, 2017, 03:51:14 PM
In the past, I have also shortened rail joiners as necessary.
Thank you
James. What is your trick? Any time I have tried that using side (or diagonal cutters ("dykes")) I have always mashed the joiner so it will no longer connect the track straight, even if I can still slide it onto the rail.
Let me ask this in general; how's this go for cutting curves?
QuoteThank you James. What is your trick?
I slide the joiner on the rail and just leave the amount I want removed from the end to the rail.
I cut off with wire cutters and then force the joiner the rest of the way onto the rail (joiner completely on rail), this opens it back up.
Then it usually takes a small screwdriver to help to push the shortened joiner back off the rail.
QuoteLet me ask this in general; how's this go for cutting curves?
To be honest, I never tried to cut a curved piece of track in the mitre box.
I don't see why it could not be done but the rail (arcs) would have to be maintained (to keep the geometry correct) to keep them in proportion to each other.
That might prove slightly challenging, but it would not have to be exact .005/.010 off is not going to be a deal breaker.
EZ track is very forgiving, and the slop could be spread (divided) to include several joints.
I think if I needed to cut a curved section, I would lay it out and mark with a pencil and cut freehand with a Dremel, or with Xurons.
While Len's method of passing the saw blade parallel to the bottom of the rail to open the clearance to add joiners does have merit, I think it may be difficult for the inexperienced to pull off.
The track would almost have to be held in place with a vise or such, to make a clean cut.
Then you would have to exercise care not to separate the rail from the spikes, or worse yet, break off the spike heads.
Just IMO.
Len's way apparently works best for him, that's why he does it this (his) way.
My way is only the right way for me.
Jim has his own way of dealing with this, and his way works best for him.
Experience is the best teacher.
There is more than one way to skin this cat, and YMMV.
This does not make anybody's suggestion, either right or wrong.
Or better or worse than the others.
You always have the option of waiting on the next production run.
Thank you for the reply
James.
Quote from: James in FL on March 11, 2017, 05:36:47 PM
I never tried to cut a curved piece of track in the mitre box.
That might prove slightly challenging...
While Len's method of passing the saw blade parallel to the bottom of the rail to open the clearance to add joiners does have merit, I think it may be difficult for the inexperienced to pull off.
Then you would have to exercise care not to separate the rail from the spikes, or worse yet, break off the spike heads.
Just IMO.
I concur, hence the reason I wondered about the possibilities of pulling the rail away from the ties.
I have luckily never had to cut EZ Track, but once again have to give the advantage to traditional sectional track when it comes to that. I can cut curves to any size I want using it, no muss, no fuss. ;)
Quote from: jbrock27 on March 11, 2017, 04:27:25 PM
Quote from: Len on March 11, 2017, 01:17:15 PM
Between the rails and ties, like this:
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l529/Pickanotherid/EZ-Track/EZ-TrackTieTrim_zpsv6ljknxb.jpg)
Len
QuoteGreat illustration Len, thank you. But, WOW! Seems like mighty fine work. Is there not a high risk doing it that way, for snagging the rail and bending it upward and perhaps pulling it from the ties?
I use a very fine, 52TPI, saw and press down gently on the rails while I cut. Depending on where the rail was cut, sometimes one'spike' has to be taken out when sawing, but it's never been a problem.
Len
Thanks for the additional info, Len.