Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 20 Nov 2014 01:25 from: Trevor Walling
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Hello, I remember sometime ago reading about using a fret saw and swiss blades to cut the rail.I am puzzled as to how and when people do this.Is it after the track is laid or cutting the rails before construction.Any tips that yealed results obtained by others as seen on here and RMweb would be much appreciated. I would also like to know the source for a decent fret saw and the size and source of blades that are suitable if possible please. I think it was a topic by "JFS" (Howard)  that I am alluding to.Thanks. Trevor. |
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| Last edited on 20 Nov 2014 01:28 by Trevor Walling |
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posted: 20 Nov 2014 08:24 from: Phil O
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Trevor Walling wrote: Hello,Hi Trevor I used to do all the cuts after I had laid the track using a slitting disk when I used soldered construction, I now cut the rail after doing any bending that may be required as I use functional chairs and it makes it easier, I use a bit of thin card as a spacer to avoid shorts. See the article in the recent MRJ. Cheers Phil |
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posted: 20 Nov 2014 22:18 from: JFS
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Trevor Walling wrote: Hello,Hello Trevor, I certainly do use a piercing saw for this job and I do it at the point where I have assembled the basic sub-assemblies (K crossings etc) and am ready to start putting them together. I aim to cut the rail as accurately as possible to provide the minimum of gap consistent with reliable insulation. In places where electrical insulation is not needed, I cut "cosmetic" gaps through the rail head only. With a bit of practice, a piercing saw makes a very accurate cut in exactly the place you need it. It is very important to buy good quality blades and my preference is to use the finest I can - usually a 4/0 or 6/0 (ie 0000 or 000000 NOT 4- or 6-). If you take Model Railway Journal, I wrote an article describing the process - part one was in the last issue and part 2 will be in the next. There is also a more complete version of the topic you are referring to on the S4 soc forum:- http://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=1342 Hope that helps. Best wishes, |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 01:24 from: Trevor Walling
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Hello, Thanks for that Howard.What is the difference between a fret saw and a piercing saw, or are they the same thing? Trevor |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 09:29 from: Les G click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Trevor Walling wrote: Hello, Trevor, It is safe to say that they are the same class of thing: Saws with changeable blades, and a frame. they are used to cut on the pull-stroke. The Wonkeedonkee website, below, has a comprehensive description of most types of saw. Briefly: Fretsaw: Used to cut scroll work, and has thin blades, and a very deep throat of typically a foot or more; mostly used to cut wood and plastics. Coping saw: Used with coarser blades, 6 to 8 inches deep throat; blades to cut wood, plastic and ceramic, tile. Piercing saw: These have a smaller, stiffer frame, and use fine-tooth blades to cut metal; they break easily, so the frame can be adjusted to use the broken lengths of blade; used by jewellers and model makers. http://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/handsaws/what-is-a-saw |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 15:44 from: JFS
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- exactly - and I get mine from here:- http://www.hswalsh.com/categories/saws-saw-blades Cheers, Howard |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 16:12 from: Trevor Walling
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Hello, Could you point me at a suitable saw for this type of work please? Regards. Trevor. |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 17:14 from: JFS
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Trevor, I bought one of these http://www.hswalsh.com/product/adj-psaw-ts1201 about 40 years ago and it is still going strong. I paid £3.00 for mine - now I see they are £9.00 Buy the best blades though... Cheers, Howard |
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posted: 22 Nov 2014 17:30 from: Hayfield
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Trevor To add my twopence of my advice, is if I can I cut rails where ever I can before fitting. I use wire cutters and file to length and de-burr. Sub assemblies again are cut to size before assembly. If I am using scale (Exactoscale) fishplates I let these gap the rails, for copperclad I use a scalpel blade to gauge the gap as this looks right. Sometimes if necessary I use a cutting disk but these make a wide cut which may be slightly off the vertical For notches in the rail head (above cosmetic etched fishplates) I use a fine razor saw, again gives a nice fine cut, and have used this instead of a cutting disc at times |
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posted: 23 Nov 2014 09:40 from: John Palmer click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
The same page in the Walsh's catalogue to which Howard's link takes you shows a TS121 which appears identical to my Eclipse PS51 and costs only £5.80! This can't be much more than what I paid for the Eclipse between 30 and 40 years ago and I've always found it a pleasure to use - that style of handle sits very comfortably in my hand. I have always mounted my blades to cut on the push rather than the pull stroke. Is that wrong? Seems to work for me. | ||
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posted: 23 Nov 2014 10:07 from: alan@york click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Pulling is better, and gives a more even cut than cutting on the push; at least for wood. My finest wood saws cut on the pull. a@y |
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posted: 23 Nov 2014 10:33 from: Martin Wynne
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John Palmer wrote: I have always mounted my blades to cut on the push rather than the pull stroke. Is that wrong? Seems to work for me.Hi John, With a strong enough saw frame and good tension in the blade it will work either way. Adjustable piercing saw frames tend to be less robust, which means you get better control with the blade in tension from the handle on the pull stroke. A pull stroke is also better because it keeps your hand out of the way below the work table so that you can see what you are doing. I found a bit of YouTube video: He is cutting much too fast for me -- you get more control by working more slowly, say about one cut per second. regards, Martin. |
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posted: 23 Nov 2014 16:57 from: allanferguson
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Isn't the internet wonderful! There's as much practical knowledge in here as took me ten years to learn before the internet was invented! Allan F |
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