Hey guys. I had a problem with an auto reversing section that turned out to be a faulty circuit board. Before I figured that out I ended up cutting a few gaps in track to isolate sections that I thought might be causing the problem. Now that it is working I want to go back and repair the unnecessary gaps I put in if possible.. I cut them in with a cutting wheel about 1 mm wide. Any tips on how to fill the gaps? Fill with solder and file down? Any tips would be much appreciated! danny
1mm is too small to try to fit a Dutchman in. Just go with a little solder to bridge the gap electrically. No reason to completely fill it in.
If you need conductivity, I'd go with the solder suggestion. If not, you could even glue in a small piece of styrene and sand it down.
I won't bore you with why but I have filled in minimally one hundred gaps in my Peco track. I use styrene, which I add super glue and hit it with a kicker; that holds it in pretty solid. I then use a number of those jeweler's files, not sand paper to carve to suit. After I am done with the filings and the styrene is now part of the track, I'll paint the sides with the rail paint I use, and I put a dab of black magic marker on the top of the rail at the sytrene to tone down the white. The files I use are a rectangular file, a flat file, a very narrow rounded file, and one other I can't remember. I have done this technique so much I've gone through two files and replaced them.
Thanks for the great tips guys! Yeah it's not important electrically since i've got multiple feeders going to the track. I just want to smooth out the ride a bit. The 1mm gap makes a pretty loud thunk and at some point i'm sure something will derail. Is it easier working with the styrene over the solder? danny
If you are not concerned with power continuity, it would be easier to fill the gap with Styrene and CA, then file it to the rails contour. I have used a triangular file to file a small V groove in the top of rails so I can hear the clickity clack as a train passes where I am standing.
