Hello - I have been creating an 009 layout and tried to use Peco track joiners (Sl310) or fishplates. Is it me or does anyone else find them very fiddly and hard to affix? Are there any other makes out there, which are easier to use? Thanks, John
I suspect you are unlikely to find ones that fit better as there are slight differences in rail cross section between manufacturers, even down to some continental track being a slightly different height or 'code' (code 83 if I remember correctly).
Something I have noticed though is there might be a slight edge or burr on the base of the joiner (it has been many years since I bought new stock though: they used to come in 'sausage strings' that needed snapping apart and that could put an edge that snagged on them). A light touch with some emery paper or similar might help.
Also the ends of the rail might have a bit of a burr on them and the lightest touch of a file or emery paper might help.
I find I sometimes need to ease the fishplate open a tiny bit with the tip of a jeweller's screwdriver. Not too much, or you get a sloppy fit, and definitely not so much that it fouls the flangeway.
Ian
With a fine swiss file , file away a chamfer on the rail ends . The fishplates will then slide on easily .
O K it takes time but if it makes the job easier and your blood pressure lower its worth it
I have to say that I think that the Peco fishplates used to be better in this regard.
I think they had more of a chamfer on the end at one time. But I may be wrong?
I have some 'new old stock' Peco fishplates from the 1980's and these do appear to go on easier than the latest ones.
The old ones are still just as tight fitting, so a tool is needed to get them in the right location on both rails, not just fingers, but I think they are easier to start on the rail when you first push them on.
But I may be wrong?
Thanks to all the replies. I will use your suggestions. John
you may have to make space at the rail ends by pushing back the sleepers as well