Re: {S-Scale List} Re: Flextrack Spike Heads

[Roger Nulton]

Bob,
An old saying in the trades: “A good carpenter is one who covers his mistakes”.
Thanks, Roger

From: shabbona_rr 
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 10:46 AM
To: S-Scale@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Flextrack Spike Heads

  
Roger,

>From the looks of your work, I don't think you know what the word "compromise" 
>means! Now, if you want to see compromise in action. . .

Bob Nicholson _______________________________________

--- In mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com, "Roger Nulton" <roger.nulton@...> 
wrote:
>
> Ben,
> 
> I’ve tried Grandt Line and Tomalco tie plates, but they are too bulky and 
> way too much work, IMO. So I paint tie plates where I am not using flex 
> track. Another compromise.
> Roger
> 
> From: pickycat95 
> Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 6:22 PM
> To: mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com 
> Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Flextrack Spike Heads
> 
> 
> Very interesting, Roger. I see spikes, joint bars and some other detail and 
> do-dads, but where are the tie plates? :)
> 
> I love laying track, but tie plates were a step too far for me. My next 
> layout will be with flex track.
> Ben Trousdale
> 
> --- In mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com, "Roger Nulton" <roger.nulton@> wrote:
> >
> > Since I am currently building the turnouts for my Shops engine terminal, I 
> > have my inventory of various spikes laid out, so I took some measurements 
> > with my calipers:
> > 
> > >Monon mainline spike heads vary, but are 1 1/4” - 1 1/2” wide 
> > >and 1 1/2” - 1 3/4” deep (I have a bunch that I’ve 
> > >collected over the years);
> > 
> > >Tomalco flex track spike heads scale out to 2 scale inches wide and 2 
> > >“ deep. Shinohara heads are just slightly larger;
> > 
> > >Proto 87 “150% HO” spike heads are 1/2” wide and 3” 
> > >deep;
> > 
> > >Micro Engineering “Micro Spikes” are 1 1/2” wide and 
> > >3” deep;
> > 
> > >Micro Engineering “Chisel Tip” are 2 1/2” wide and 4 
> > >1/2” deep;
> > 
> > >Walthers “Code 70” are 3” wide and 6” deep;
> > 
> > >Micro Mark “Small Spikes” are 3” wide and 8” deep.
> > 
> > In my opinion, the “Micro Spikes” look the best, even though they 
> > are tedious to drive and don’t hold the track as well as the others. 
> > Another shortcoming they have is that the shape of their head is rounded, 
> > but this is not noticeable once the rail is installed, painted and 
> > weathered. I also choose to use flex track as much as possible, as I think 
> > it looks more realistic. Attached is a pic of a turnout under construction, 
> > showing some “Micro Spikes”, some old Micro Engineering 
> > “Small” spikes, and some Tomalco track in the background.
> > 
> > Your opinions may vary. Ha!
> > 
> > Roger Nulton
> >
>