Curving Micro-Engineering Flextrack, the easy way!

[@MMRails]

I like your intro. Sure got my attention. Great collab with Jerry. Jerry’s track did something that drives me crazy. Did you see the ties go all wonky?? I hate that! I never know how to fix it either. Great video John, love the animation.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Mark! Working with Jerry is fun - he's a great guy. Actually, there's a simple solution to your problem as well. Where were you when I was filming this? I should've included it - guess now I have to do a follow-up. LOL. Take a flat tool that will fit between the rails. The handle of a stainless steel butter knife works well or even a screwdriver. Run the tool along the errant ties in the direction you want them to move. The track should be on a flat, solid surface and I hold the rails down with my hand. It'll probably take several passes - once you get used to how much pressure to apply. Appreciate your support Mark! Best, John

[@BoxcarJerry]

It's going to drive me crazy to. If you cut the ties from each other you can fix them.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

@@BoxcarJerry No need to cut the ties Jerry - that would probably cause you more problems then it solves. I'll do a short follow-up video - should've included it in the original but Mark told me too late.😂

[@bernardc2553]

@@SchuylkillRiverValley John another good video been trying to get ahold of you, for the HO contest how can I get your email?

[@MMRails]

@@BoxcarJerry Thanks!

[@IHVRRNotBad]

Jerry was a good guinea pig , I hoping for a good test run on the curve he made. I think rix makes the tool, not positive but your tool works great. Thanks for the tip.....Wilmer

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Uncle Wilmer! I'll push Jerry for a test-run video. You may be right about Rix - I don't remember who made the commercial version. I appreciate your support buddy! Best, John

[@Texaslobo]

I have used the same type of tool with sweep sticks. Run the tool along the track to make the rough radius, then use the sweep stick to make it to the final radius. I also have blocks made up to lay parallel tracks at 2", 2 1/8", 2 1/4", 2 1/2", and 3". They are 1"x3/4" and cut to length needed for spacing. You cut 2 groves like how You did, and then cut 1 grove to hold the outside rail of the track You are placing down. The offset is measured from the outside rail to outside rail. BTW a straight sweep stick is an easy way to take a curve out of the ME flex track.

[@FlyingCrow]

I never had a problem curving it. My problem is straightening it. I don't care what I do, I cannot get it perfectly straight. I want to pull my hair out sometimes. The sweep sticks make it a little better, but even they don't work completely. What you did gave me an idea. I think I am going to make a straight block 3' long and drill holes to line up with the nail holes in the ties.

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Happy week!! 🌵

[@BoxcarJerry]

You did an awesome job on this video John , I like the smaller version of it . Super simple just using a handsaw and some paint to transfer the rail size .

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Jerry, I appreciate your contribution - the video wouldn't have been the same without it! Glad you like the tool! Best, John

[@michaeldunn5280]

Man John your demonstrator is having a hell of a time. Would have had the Peco flex track in/wired/and weathered in the time it took him to do that flexing and without any distortion of the ties etc etc. lol

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Hey HarleyMike, good to see you! Haha, I think it's a matter of getting used to the tool. I appreciate your support. Best, John

[@michaeldunn5280]

@@SchuylkillRiverValley so I guess you are saying that there is a “ learning curve”

[@newfenrisrailroad621]

Awesome concept guys love the home school build. Might just have to try on my peco flex track instead of the tracksetta that I have now

[@johnnyrailer]

Yea i remember this tool. I think it was from ME. Great video John

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Hey Johnny! Great to see you man, where you been? Thanks for watching & your kind words. I appreciate ya! Looking forward to an update from you. Best, John

[@tonimarieism]

This is great! I just made one of these to curve my Microengineering flex track, really easy to make, dirt cheap and worked great. Thanks for the info!

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

Thats a cool way to transfer the rail spacing to the wood block. Thanks for the awesome tip on curving flex track

[@nathandelay]

Wow John that really awesome way to easy to make the tool and the track and I hope you have an awesome day John

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Nathan, I appreciate it buddy! The tool really does come in handy. Have a great day. Best, John

[@FBMRR]

If i only knew that before i invested in atlas... thanks for the info john and jerry.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

'A day late and a dollar short' - story of my life Rick, glad to share the wealth. Appreciate you watching! Best, John

[@epicrailroad1960]

wow I didn't realize there was a solution for this problem thankyou for sharing.

[@CM-ARM]

Hi John, I'm kinda lucky I actually have the tool. N Scale though. Tell Jerry to cut it in half and it will actually work easier and better with less binding. I was taught that years ago. Keep having fun, Chris

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

Great video John and Jerry. I think the oak, smaller version seems to work better and a follow up with the sweep sticks would make the curve smoother.

[@LRSX]

Great calaberation, good job John and jerry. Great info for flex track. And a very informative video take care john and jerry!

[@TheSwitchList]

Great video John! Love the opening bit!! I have been meaning to make one of these for a while now but have never gotten around to doing it. This has motivated me to finally 'git'er done!" -Rick

[@stevechilders2425]

Great tip and tool John.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Steve! I appreciate ya! Best, John

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Very clever and well explained.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Anthony, I certainly appreciate the support. Best, John

[@DruSteel69]

Very cool video, John. Or are you the other John? Ha ha That was great. Nice demo between you and Jerry. Thanks for sharing that tool and tips. Have a great day.

[@cowboyvalley]

Good tip, John! ...Claude

[@mannyfernandez2921]

Great tip john!

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Manny! I appreciate the support. Best, John

[@genejablonski9909]

Thanks for a great tool tip!

[@duanesforkandspoonrr10]

Awesome video...great tips

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Duane! I appreciate ya my friend. Best, John

[@lionellance]

I like the tool John.. I'll have to make when I get some track..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance..I may try the micro engineering 🤔 track..

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Lance. For a simple tool, it sure saves some hair-pulling.

[@possumbayou8238]

I use the ME code 55 nscale track. I use the ribbon rails to work my curves. I prefer the MR flex but not at all a fan of their turnouts.

[@BoxcarJerry]

Rusty what are ribbon rails?

[@possumbayou8238]

That is a brand name of track alignment tools. It basically is a thin plate of metal. It comes in various radius . You place them between the rails and work the curve in. It is pretty quick and simple Modeltrainstuff has then for $3.59.

[@dacuzzz]

hi John...great little tool...thx 4 sharing.. vinny

[@FLRailroaddog]

Awesome video and great tool.. even Jerry can do it.. 😂😂😂, nice thanks for sharing 😊

[@tracksidemike]

Fantastic video and how too SchuylkillRiverValley great sharing. I might have keep the micro engineers track if there was a tool. Or a video on how to make your on tool. Thanks for the great things you show us John SchuylkillRiverValley 🔔👍🏻👍🏻🇨🇦🚂🥓

[@nathanowens2344]

This is awesome. I'd seen the (now unavailable) commercial tool, and was wondering if it could really be as easy as making one myself. Thanks to your instructions, 10 min later, I have perfectly curved ME flex track at 30" and 32.68" radius (HO scale). I was trying to decide between Atlas, Walthers, and ME - ME looks great, but I was worried about the bending. Now I'm going to buy all ME flex track!

[@lackawannarailfan]

Great video and device! That will help a lot of people!

[@bobainsworth5057]

Wish Id seen this a few years ago.😊

[@PKWModelwerx]

That intro was brilliant and hilarious. LOL funny, especially to the cognescenti! But wasn't Jerry's tool a bit too deep in the grooves? It sounded and looked like he was knocking the ties out of alignment. If the grooves were shallower wouldn't that not impact the ties? Awesome hack that I will remember.

[@BoxcarJerry]

I'll have to try them not fitting so deep. Maybe that's why the ties get knocked out of line.

[@IronHorseBrian]

Great Job guys! Even better intro! Nice stuff. I am beginning to wonder if that type of track might suit me well in some tough curved areas since it holds the curve. What code sizes does micro engineering track come in John? Brian !

[@BoxcarJerry]

In Nscale I think 55 and 70

[@mysticrailroad]

love that tool John! i'm using atlas so don't have the issue thankfully.

[@nickhall3459]

love the video. Jerry demonstrates impatience very well. Block is way too big and he is trying to bend way too much in each pass. It appears that Jerry is fighting his block.

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Nick. Jerry and I agree - he's redesigned his block

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Nice tip. I have only used atlas flex

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Thanks Dave, I've always used ME flex.

[@TheTrainFreak]

Dude! I didn't know you had a twin! That is a neat tool. Does Micromark make it by chance? I have something that looks similar but it's to get the correct distance between two tracks. Thanks for this neat share! - Jason

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Yeah, we don't talk about him much - he spends too much time on the wrong side of the tracks I thought I was sure who made the original but Wilmer suggested Rix Products and now you saying Micromark - they're both strong possibilities. Guess my memory isn't serving me well - on this one point mind you. I appreciate the support buddy! Best, John

[@FKHTrump2024]

Honestly looks like a pain in the ass, and the radiuses don’t look smooth at all.

[@denisestevens6492]

Wow... that N gauge one sounded really bad. I thought it was going to break or something was going to give. My suggestion and by no means am I a expert. But I would attempt on the N version to try bending it a bit slower. But good idea and thankyou. I will try make one. Cheerz Denise.