mytrains posted:phillyreading posted:I use Gargraves track and have found that the size of the hole for putting a screw into the wood ties can sometimes split the ties, so I went down a drill bit size(one/sixty fourth smaller) smaller then what Gargraves recommends on the screw package and that keeps my ties from splitting as much.
Lee Fritz
seems backwards, to put a screw through the tie to fasten down the track you would want a clearance hole (larger than the diameter of the screw) not a smaller hole. if you are trying to attach a switch motor then you need a pilot hole (slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw). the smaller you make the hole, the more likely you are to split the tie.
Seems like you have not worked with Gargraves wood ties or you would know that making a hole too large when drilling can split the wood and make that tie useless. It's not when you fasten the screw but when you drill the hole for the screw as there is still plenty of room for the screw to go through without problems.
Lee Fritz
