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Post by george on May 17, 2019 18:09:33 GMT
Hi does anyone know where i can get ready made combined 5 and 7 1/4 inch track gauges please? i know ive seen them somewhere but i cant find them now.
Many thanks
George
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Midland
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Post by Midland on May 17, 2019 18:34:51 GMT
You could try grabbing a piece of metal and running it thrOugh your milling machine in the right place(s) or someone elses's for that matter. That is what I did and it worked! David
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uuu
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Post by uuu on May 17, 2019 18:39:29 GMT
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don9f
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Post by don9f on May 17, 2019 21:36:41 GMT
Wilf.....I’m afraid I couldn’t get that “ebay link” to work so out of interest, I Googled such a thing myself and found this gauge, which maybe the one you found? George....it’s shown out of stock but is it what you were looking for? The “cutouts” as they call them, would obviously have to fit over the head of the rail you were intending gauging. Years ago I built the first sets of dual & even some triple gauge pointwork for the GCMES and made my own as suggested above. Cheers Don
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Post by andyhigham on May 17, 2019 22:02:21 GMT
Vernier caliper?
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rrmrd66
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Post by rrmrd66 on May 18, 2019 6:05:01 GMT
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uuu
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Post by uuu on May 18, 2019 6:34:28 GMT
Another attempt to get the ebay link to work: Trying again for ebay item 163543101813It's very similar to the Maidstone one - although he's selling a pack of three for the same price as one from Maidstone. Also, if you look at his other items for sale, he does another for a different size track head. Wilf
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Post by ilvaporista on May 18, 2019 10:32:45 GMT
Being a cheapskate (again....) I made mine from threaded rod, nuts and washers. I had larger diameter washers either side of the railhead spaced with smaller diameter ones with double locknuts either side. You can also make ones with gauge widening at the same time. It's taken me almost as long to post about than it took me to make one.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2019 14:30:10 GMT
Being a cheapskate (again....) I made mine from threaded rod, nuts and washers. I had larger diameter washers either side of the railhead spaced with smaller diameter ones with double locknuts either side. You can also make ones with gauge widening at the same time. It's taken me almost as long to post about than it took me to make one. Easiest and most cost effective solution so far.
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Post by george on May 18, 2019 17:07:37 GMT
All good ideas, thank you all.
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jackrae
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Post by jackrae on May 19, 2019 7:31:50 GMT
I think a slightly better design is to make a 3-point version with 2 points against one rail and the third point against the other. Hence it always sits orthogonally to the track and can accommodates the required curve gauge widening if the 3 points are set to the axle spacing on your loco.
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Post by harryrobinson on May 19, 2019 8:41:04 GMT
There is a company called PNP Railways that make track, i should imagine they make gauges too.
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oldnorton
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Post by oldnorton on May 20, 2019 13:24:52 GMT
If you want to check some track for movement then digital calipers as suggested by Andy will make simple measurements.
If however you are going to make track sections by affixing rail to sleepers then it is nice to have several gauges. Far better to make them yourself from bar or better from 2" box section that keeps it all nice and square. Then the slots can be exactly sized to grip the rail head firmly while drilling sleepers and screwing down. If you do not have access to a mill then measure, mark out, drill base holes, hacksaw and file to finish. Good to practise basic skills.
Norm.
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Post by george on May 20, 2019 17:02:04 GMT
Thats a good idea. will remember that.
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Post by doubletop on May 22, 2019 9:58:35 GMT
I would have thought that the best solution for a gauge would be one that was made for the rail you are using so they fit snugly over the rails while you are welding up.
The eBay gauges don't say what type of rail they are for or if using bar stock what thickness bar they are for e.g. 25 x 10 30 x 12 etc.
The miniature.trains.co.uk gauges don't look like they hold the rail in position so could be a bit hit and miss
The PNP chairs screw into their pre drilled plastic sleepers or you make a drilling guage for the fixing holes if you are using timber sleepers. No need for a rail guage.
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