As many of you already know, we recondition lots and lots of track. The exact techniques of the cleaning and polishing we finally have done to a reasonable level. We even have significantly improved the methods of removing, cleaning and polishing the pins. Then resizing the tubes and reinstalling the pins.
Never a dull moment at TinMan's place, now we are looking for an efficient method of squishing(another technical term) the hold down tabs for the rails on to the ties. Thus far our method has been to cut a piece of steel, to the exact width of a new piece of tracks hoop size on the bottom of the ties. Then we put our piece of steel under the tie, hold the rail into place, and with a hammer and another tool (screwdriver works), tap the tabs down. Not very efficient, and kinda hard with only 2 hands. A pair of one of those wire connector crimping tools works well for the outside tab, but does not help the inside ones. Not too terribly concerned with the center rail, their usually pretty loose, and that's ok. They are a little fragile because of the insulators.
Does anyone have a better way?