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Now that I have decided on Gargraves Flex. I plan on bending all my own curves on plywood templates. My question is, based on ease of working with the track am I better off with the wood ties or the plastic ties. I,m thinking that the difference in realize-um between the two in minimal so which is easier to work with? 

Thanks 

Jerry

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I've never had the plastic.  I purchased wood just because I thought having wood would be cool!  As far as bending the flex track I can do it easily now, but you do have to practice.  The best piece of advice that was given to me:  have patience and bend it slowly and gently.

I start by placing the flex track against my chest and bending it around my torso.  

You can see a video of the sharpest curve I ever bent on my Youtube channel!  A 24 diameter reversing loop used to turn snow equipment.  Who said O scale takes bigger curves than HO?  That curve is 12 radius!

I think you need to grind a coating or plating off of GG to solder easy.

All that needs to be done to sold to Gargraves tinplate track is to scrape off a bit of the Phantom track's center rail blackening. I use a Dremel with a fiber wheel to do so. Nothing need be done to the outside rails. However, if. you are soldering to Gargraves stainless steel track, that's somewhat more difficult overall.

Regardless, you will need to remove the oily protective coating on all new Gargraves track. I use a cloth with either isopropyl alcohol or track cleaning solution.

I have a GG/Curtis/Ross layout - no flex except a couple of short, odd segments; had a smaller GG flex track layout before this one.

Flex track: never again. Buy the pre-formed curves and make life simpler. The curves will look better in most cases. Save the flex track for stretches here and there where you need a little finessing, or a long, gentle easement.

Voice of experience. The difference in cost will fade quickly.

My entire layout is GG  regular Flex track with wood ties.  I tried some SS pieces on my first layout but abandoned it because it was more difficult to bend and harder to solder.  I didn't/don't use templates but prefer to bend and screw it down as you go.  I have some photos of this procedure if you would like to see them and try this method.

Dennis

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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