Jamie, Michael...I think the hinged vs soldered throwbar probably depends on whether the point rails are hinged or solid, along with the rail size. My turnouts are made with code 83 rail with solid point rails and soldered throwbars. Code 83 rail doesn't put up a lot of resistance and the few solder failures I've had at the throwbar have been because of bad soldering, not stresses on the connection. Those who build with heavier rail (code 125 and up) might be wise to hinge either or both ends of the points because of the exponentially higher forces it takes to bend the rail. That's my take on things for what it's worth.
BTW Michael, your track work techniques look first rate. Jim (sticking with flex track) Martin > On October 6, 2013 at 10:49 AM Jamie Bothwell <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Michael, > > I have elected to go with soldering the rails to the throw bar, but I don't > have years of "in use" experience. Therefore I would also like to hear from > anyone who has had such in place for some time. > Jamie Bothwell > Curious in Bethlehem, PA > > On Oct 5, 2013, at 6:26 PM, [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > > > Time for a final (?) decision. Should I solder the point rails to the > > throwbar, or solder a tab to the rails and put a screw through the tab into > > the throwbar? I'm most curious to hear from people that solder the rails to > > the throwbar. Fill in the blanks: In ____ years of operating them I've had > > _____ solder joints come apart. > > > > > > -Michael Eldridge > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
