clecklewyke Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 I’m finding it impossible to fit Peco bullhead rail joiners (SL-114) to their bullhead points. What, if anything, am I doing wrong? Has anyone successfully used them and offer advice? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PMP Posted April 16, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 16, 2020 I’ve used them with no real issues. One or two were a bit tight, resolved by putting a jewellery screwdriver into the slot and twisting it gently. That seems to ease the tight ones enough to fit normally. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDMJ Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Shouldn't you be using SL-10 joiners? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RFS Posted April 16, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 16, 2020 19 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said: Shouldn't you be using SL-10 joiners? No, SL114 is the correct item. SL-10 is for code 100 rail. I found the bullhead rail joiners fiddly but doable. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2020 7 hours ago, PMP said: I’ve used them with no real issues. One or two were a bit tight, resolved by putting a jewellery screwdriver into the slot and twisting it gently. That seems to ease the tight ones enough to fit normally. I have done exactly the same thing and have sometime squeezed the joiner with pliers once tracks are joined. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2020 7 hours ago, PMP said: Is that a shortened point? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Gate Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 I put a Stanley knife blade in the slot which is usually enough, they do try my patience but worth it for the improved look of the bullhead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2020 They are a bit tight on Peco rail but they do at least grip it well unlike some earlier offerings and they are the right length for once. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 It might be worth while to try them on a short piece of rail that has a chamfered end before using them in the actual location. I find holding the joiner and rail in a good light makes the job rather easier. A quick wiggle with a scalpel blade, any thicker is too wide, will open up the free end and allow just a bit more room for the joiner to slide onto the rail. Then after fitting squeeze as required. It is difficult at first but the method that suits you best can soon be developed. For baseboard joints I solder one end and open up the other and do not rely on the joiner for electrical contact, Bernard 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philsandy Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 Take the "corners" off the rail ends with a fine file. A slight chamfer on the bottom of the rail and the sides, do not file the top of the rail. You should find this will help start the joiner to slide on to the rail. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 My plan is to grind a miniature screwdriver into a tool to handle the rail joiner and push it home to the correct location, when I start on laying the bullhead track in earnest. Of course some clever soul might market such a thing to save me the trouble... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PMP Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Gilbert said: Is that a shortened point? Yup, think I did both of them, at work so can’t immediately check. On my WIP Shelfie3 layout 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 17, 2020 I've had no problems with them, having used them on C&L code 75 rail. The fact that they grip the rail really well is a bonus. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted April 17, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 17, 2020 They fit perfectly on most code 75 rail - the Peco rail has a much larger foot, in fact it's really double head rail, not bullhead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dominion Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2020 What are people using for insulated joints ? I have tried 2 ways so far but would love something in between. The existing Peco code 75 flat bottom insulated joiners recommended by Peco look so big and out of place compared to the new nice metal ones. The Exactoscale H shaped ones are very fine. They are great when hand building on a template but I find a bit delicate when laying track on the baseboard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Harlequin Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Dominion said: What are people using for insulated joints ? I have tried 2 ways so far but would love something in between. The existing Peco code 75 flat bottom insulated joiners recommended by Peco look so big and out of place compared to the new nice metal ones. The Exactoscale H shaped ones are very fine. They are great when hand building on a template but I find a bit delicate when laying track on the baseboard. I think Peco’s N gauge IRJs work with Code 75 bullhead rail - but not an exact fit, obviously. Edited April 18, 2020 by Harlequin 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Michael Edge Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2020 I use SMP plastic rail joiners in some places, much better than the Peco ones but still a bit bulky. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2020 I have not yet used them but I bought some of these. http://ambisengineering.co.uk/ 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d00m Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 30 minutes ago, teaky said: I have not yet used them but I bought some of these. http://ambisengineering.co.uk/ They look great ! I want some of those..... Where did you get them from and how much? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2020 22 minutes ago, d00m said: They look great ! I want some of those..... Where did you get them from and how much? Does the link provided not work? Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 31A Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2020 6 hours ago, Dominion said: What are people using for insulated joints ? I have tried 2 ways so far but would love something in between. The existing Peco code 75 flat bottom insulated joiners recommended by Peco look so big and out of place compared to the new nice metal ones. The Exactoscale H shaped ones are very fine. They are great when hand building on a template but I find a bit delicate when laying track on the baseboard. I've cut down the Peco Code 75 flat bottom insulated rail joiners, to make them roughly the same length as the Bullhead rail joiners, obviously with the 'divider' in the middle of the bit you're left with. It doesn't look quite as good as the metal one but OK when painted. It allows you to maintain the same spacing between sleepers without having to cut away any chairs. You can see one in the middle of this photo; the insulated joiner is on the nearer rail with a metal one on the outer rail: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold teaky Posted April 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2020 1 hour ago, d00m said: They look great ! I want some of those..... Where did you get them from and how much? Follow the link and down at the bottom of "Downloads and details" section there is a price list and contact details. There isn't an online shop as such, it is a brief exchange of emails with the proprietor, Alan Austin, and payment via PayPal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d00m Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, teaky said: Follow the link and down at the bottom of "Downloads and details" section there is a price list and contact details. There isn't an online shop as such, it is a brief exchange of emails with the proprietor, Alan Austin, and payment via PayPal. Thanks ! Wow what a find. Loads of stuff on there I will be ordering! Edited April 18, 2020 by d00m Forgot stuff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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