I hand lay and use FastTracks jigs. Also have the P87 tie template. Both systems are great, but in different ways. I believe they use slightly different geometries, so trying to mix will likely be an exercise in futility. Maybe Tim W. or the P87 guys will chime in on this. I would say use either, both, but don't try to combine.

 That will be a problem with P-87 as the fasttracks method bends the rails in a weird curve instead of hinging them  like real switches do and P-87 needs quite close tolerances to work correctly. It probably could be made to work but I don't see the logic of it. Makes more sense to use P87 points as they were designed to be used. Build the P-87 stuff correctly and it will run fine. Build fasttracks stuff correctly and it will run fine but they are two different approaches and don't mix well. Once you get the points hinged at the right length it will be easy to get everything gauged right, keeping in mind the P-87 scale flanges effect on guard rails and point spacing. .....DaveBranum

Thank you both for the input. I was trying to avoid the $150.00 hit from fast tracks for the jig and point tool for just a few turnouts. I thought the proto frogs and cnc points would lower the cost. However form must follow function. I wonder what Tim or Andy have to say?

john. 

John,

I can't afford to buy the Fast Tracks jigs, especially with the Rate of Exchange between our currency (RSA) and the USA Dollar, so I've been making my own turnouts using Fast Tracks printable drawings.

But, because of my small layout and tight curves (and because I'm using SCARM layout design program which doesn't support Fast Tracks turnouts) I've had to change and now use PECO's hinged turnouts as a basis or my requirements. However I've not had too much success in my endeavors until I saw a video by Charlie Comstock that shows how he scratchbuilds turnouts for his HO scale model railroad. Charlie uses only a pair of homemade jigs which I've coppied and now my Frogs are 'magic' - thanks Charlie.

Since following his ideas I have managed to make far better turnouts. Perhaps you would like to see his video here

Cheers

Neville

S&WR RR

Neville, thank you thats a very helpful video,i will also place an order for the rolly holders. I think M.C. Fujiwara posted a tutorial on laying turnouts with out the fast track jigs. Dave who posted just above you also has a good post on Nscale turnouts.

Never mind.

Kevin, thanks for the info. Does C.V sell their tie strips in Nscale?

  Hi John,   Are you working in N scale?  I saw the Proto 87 points mentioned above and assumed you were building in P-87.  If it's N scale then you should be able to build without a jig. Fast tracks switches are just like regular switches except that they are build in the jig instead of on the ties.It's  a different approach to assembly but the end product is about the same. You say you are having problems gauging the closure rails so let's work thru it. Do you have the PC board ties glued down and the outside rails soldered down fair ? Do you have the frog fitted into place(should use near the minimum gauge thru the frog to make it easier to set the guard rails later) I'm not familiar with P87 stores N scale points, do your points require filing away the rail base or are they undercut? If they require filing the rail base it has to be done before soldering the stock rails down. Assuming you have the stock rails and the frog in place then you can gauge the closure rails from the frog to the point hinge( or to the last soldered tie if using no point hinge) from here to the point tip the guage is dependent on the shape of the points and their fit against the stock rails. The advantage of using point hinges is this un-supported part of the points can be made shorter than it can if the rails must bend in a curve instead of hinge as an angle point. If the gauge works from the frog to the hinge point but not from the hinge to the point tip you probably need to adjust the stock rail/point seat to get a seamless surface.Make sure the bottoms of the stock rail and the points are filed away more than their tops, you want a tight fit on top which requires some clearance on the bottom. I'm building another N scale turnout now so if you need more photos of any part under construction let me know, right now it just has the two stock rails soldered in place so I can show any details going forward....DaveBranum

You could just get the point/frog/stock filing tools and skip the jig, and there's also the frog jig which I find very handy.

Dave, thanks for the input. Yes Nscale and this is a curved turnout #6 fast track template with proto frog and points. I did not hinge the points. After much fiddeling and fussing I think I may be good to go.I was   going to place this in a rather hard part of my layout to reach.

 Now I think I will place it  in an easier spot to reach for additional tweaking  I was trying to save time by using Andys pre made frogs and points, but by using the fast track template made for  a lot of adjusting. Plus I am rather new to handlaid turnouts. Dave I have seen your work in MRH and it sure looks good to me.