Fixing track in tight spaces

Help with designing your track work
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ajcooper4
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Fixing track in tight spaces

#1

Post by ajcooper4 »

Can anyone offer me any help please with regard to securing track where there is insufficient room to swing a small hammer. I usually use Peco track pins and find them sharp but I tap them in with a small engineer's hammer.

I am limited for space and some track is under the eaves in the attic. Just haven't got room to swing a hammer. Reluctant to secure with PVA if this can be avoided.

Thanks.
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Steve M
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Re: Fixing track in tight spaces

#2

Post by Steve M »

Can you predrill a pilot hole for the pin with an Archimedes drill? About 3/4 the length of the pin then you should be able to push it in the rest of the way.
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Walkingthedog
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Re: Fixing track in tight spaces

#3

Post by Walkingthedog »

Push them in with the end of some pliers (not the tip, the side) or a chisel. I have never hammered in a single track pin.
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ajcooper4
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Re: Fixing track in tight spaces

#4

Post by ajcooper4 »

Walkingthedog wrote: Sat May 23, 2020 5:06 pm Push them in with the end of some pliers (not the tip, the side) or a chisel. I have never hammered in a single track pin.
WTD do you use the Peco ones to do this? Or have you found a sharper variety!
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Walkingthedog
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Re: Fixing track in tight spaces

#5

Post by Walkingthedog »

I use Gaugemaster pins. They are very sharp and the head is completely flat (like me). Plenty of surface to push against.
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Brian
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Re: Fixing track in tight spaces

#6

Post by Brian »

Use a pin pusher example... Pin Pusher link example but I've never had issues with a hammer, though its only a 4oz tack hammer! Example... Link to 4 oz hammer
A pre drilled hole in the sleepers really helps.
I hate seeing track pin heads, so I use Peco SL-14 and they are only pushed in for about less than 3/4 of their length, then its bent over so as the remainder lays along the sleepers top keeping the track firmly in place. Once ballasted and all is glued and it has set rock solid, I pull out the pins! No pin heads at all and the tiny hole becomes invisible, especially if the sleepers and track are painted. :D :D
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