Model Railway Forum

Hi All,

I'm having grief trying to cu the excess wire off my point motors. I tried using a pair of side cutters but they had trouble cutting the wire, seems to be high tensile. I then tried my Dremel, again not good, broke several blades and wrecked not only the point motor but the point as well.

Any other ideas and suggestions.

Best Rgds,
Dave R.

Hi

I use these without any issue

https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/Hard ... 75580.html

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that, I'll track down a pair.

Best Rgds,
Dave R.

I used to hold the point motor in place, mark where the pin protruded then remove the motor and cut the pin with good side cutters as far away from the layout as possible, never in situ.

I’ve always used a Dremel. The trick is to be gentle and not try to cut through in one go, allowing the pin to cool between cuts.
A pair of heavyish side cutters from B&Q works well but the top of the pin will need dressing after cutting or it will snag when you clean the track.

I have used a Dremel style electric drill with metal slitting disk fitted, but found that the metal point motor drive pin just gets too hot too quickly and can lead to a melted drive pin hole in the point. So I no longer use that method at all. I have a 7" inch (180mm) 'cheap as chips' pair of side cutters (Mine came from a market tool stall for £3) but even UK based Toolstation sell a pair for less than £4 https://www.toolstation.com/side-cutting-pliers/p84542 These will cut in one snip the drive pin of Seep PM and Peco PL10 motors easily. At that price it hardly matters if the cutters are damaged after many cuts! To use.... Hold the top of pin in one hand while wire cutters are cutting the pin with the dominant hand This is to prevent the cut off piece of pin flying off at rocket speeds and injuring anyone nearby. As Steve M says, a stroke with a flat needle file over the cut off pins top will smooth the pins profile better if it causes issues.