DIY Rail Bender

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:45 pm

Hi guys, I can remember seeing (somewhere on the web) details of a home made railbender. - They're too expensive for the cash strapped W&LLR to buy!
I think it was made from a drill press vice and roller bearings.
Does anyone have any details of a DIY rail bender that you don't mind sharing?
I'm going to have to lift and re-lay a lot of my track this winter and I want to replace some of my R1 curves while I'm at it, so rather than spend scarce funds on new track, I want to use some of my surplus long straights!

I've tried the "hold it tight and bend it round your belly" technique and am less than happy with the results!!

Cheers, Greg.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:50 pm

I am afraid I can not help you there but with a relay planned for this somer I am keen to find out about rail benders to!

PCLR · Post by **PCLR** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:25 pm

use three roller bearing layer out on some steel plate

O
O O like this then run the rail between then

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:44 pm

Has this topic been split or something? I'm sure I said something about it using a pillar drill vice?

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:22 pm

I think it might have been - I posted a description of one made from a welder's clamp................

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:49 am

Hiya Brian (and Happy New Year!), That sounds promising - is the clamp something like a mole grip?
PCLR is right about the 3 rollers, but what's the distances between them? I know that 2 will be "fixed" and the other adjustable to set the curve, where did you post it and I'll have a shuftie.

Glad you've sorted the leaky shed!
All the best, Greg.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:00 am

I haven't tried that - (I don't have any curve templates, I'm a "set track" user, oh the shame!).

Sounds like a solution though thanks. I'll bear it in mind if I can't get a rail bender sorted.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:18 am

Excellent point - and one I'm meaning to use! The rail bender should let me do that by adjusting the radius "on site" to suite. The problem is that I'm intending to use LGB long straights (with alternate webs cut out).

When I did this "free-hand" (the round the belly technique) the curve came out TOO kinky - again, a BIT kinky looks kinda prototypical but there's a limit!!

This is my first post apart from the introduction and I must say, I'm impressed with how you guys are "on the case". Thanks very much!

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:50 am

Narrow minded are you a 45 mmiller then?

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:56 am

For my sins, yes! You can read the reason why on my website in the "History" section.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:58 am

I have yet to but am intreguid hang on!

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:14 pm

I'm sort of hanging on, but I've got to load the van then set off soon for a steady drive down to Basildon. We're entertaining the good folks down there for a New Years Eve party through to about 1am.
If I don't get to post anything else before I leave, I'll catch you erm, next year!

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:29 pm

Wow, I am interested to see if one can bend set 45mm gauge track, mine is gauge 1 fine scale stuff which I am not allowed to modify becuase my grandad bought it for me and cought me removing a third of the sleepers and respacing them. This is why I am looking for new 45mm gauge track, interesting railway mind if we share links? And happy new year!

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:37 pm

Hope you don't mind, but I've already linked your site! (Went to have a look while I was "hanging on" - great stuff, loads of character and I LURVE your Millie. I have an ambition to get a Roundhouse loco..........................one day!!

I've just taken a shot of Brinsley Curve, bent using the "belly Method" - and no, that's NOT the size of my belly!!

oops, can't remember how to post a photo - must go now but I'll sort it when I get back!

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:38 pm

There you go

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:38 am

Just back home at 04.28 - HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!

Thanks for that Pete, "yer a diamond!" (I'll suss out how to get piccies on at my leisure now...)

There you have it Mr Bond, a curved set track straight.
Turn it over and snip out the plastic web every other sleeper and alternate sleepers on the opposite rail.
Turn it right side up and grip the ends, holding it parallel to the ground, bring it up to your - erm - belly.
Bend it firmly but fairly to the required curve.
Dremmel with a cutting disc to trim the rail ends. (forgot to mention (carefully) removing the rail joiners first and refitting them when you've done.

Technically "Track Bending" cos you're bending both rails at once!

Cheers, Greg.

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 10:30 am

Haha! I am waiting to here on a job lot of really old gauge 1 track- (Not More Guage 1 track! I here you cry!)
No this stuff is really old and has out of proportion sleepers so look very narrow gauge (more so than my current track)
The good thing is is that my railway will smell proper once all is creosoted!!!
I might give your idea a try though....

Garden Railway Forum

DIY Rail Bender

DIY Rail Bender

Who is online