RE: Re: Repeatable curves
> Just a thought. > If the rail is bundled and/or packaged immediately following manufacture, most >of the rail should be oriented the same. > Ok, maybe not a good thought, but it may spark another idea or two. Trent, Actually this has been thought of. Micro Engineering buys their rail from the same supplier as we do. Because M.E. Mfgs radius curves and they do their own in house bending, they have the rail color coded on one end to ensure that the rail is curved more accurately. GaryB
Re: Repeatable curves
Just a thought. If the rail is bundled and/or packaged immediately following manufacture, most of the rail should be oriented the same. I'm sure that it goes through far too many hands and gets periodical inspection for this to be 100% accurate. Especially considering that this question came up in the first place. If it's going to get checked for natural bending tendency anyway then it really doesn't matter. Oh well. Ok, maybe not a good thought, but it may spark another idea or two. Later, Trent
Re: Repeatable curves
In that case, I would bend the rail the other way! Much would depend on whether the rail was drawn or put thru a series of turks heads. A very slight asymmetrical run could account for a lot of difference. If the head and foot of the rail are not exactly equal on either side of a vertical centerline, this difference would result. Probably more likely to happen with rolled (turks head) rather than die drawn rail. Keep your steam up! Walt & Lunk
Re: Repeatable curves
Gary, yes I am recommending that you support the rail through the process. What I have found is that you need to support the rail at least 3 feet on each side of the rollers, both input and output. I have mounted my rail bender in the middle but the the edge of a piece of plywood that is 2ft by 6ft. This supports the rail while allowing me to operate/adjust the bender. Since space is an issue, the plywood has been secured to a 18" long 2X4 and this is set into a "WorkMate" portable table. I then can work in the garage or on nice days at the railroad. As to memory. I believe you have your answer to the problem. All stainless and copper i have seen that is not in sheets is in rolls and has a memory. mp --- Gary Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have had some trouble getting identicle curves. On > the same rail I can > bend and unbend reliably, but on different 8 foot > lengths of rail > consistency is not my experience. Are you suggesting > attaching the rail > bender to a flat work surface to keep the rail level > for the entire > bending process? I have found that Aristo Craft's > stainless steel rail > bends more when run through from one end than if the > other end is the > starting point. I have no idea prior to bending > which end will result in > a more shallow or tighter curve. Pretty frustrating. > I expect the rail > was once on a huge roll for shipment from the > foundry and mill. Thus the > rail retains a memory from prolonged rolled storage. > Just a theory. Any > suggestions for knowing ahead of bending which way > the rail might be > biased to bend? > Gary Lane > Eugene, OR > > I have used two different rail benders and prefer > the > Llagas Creek unit. I strongly recommend that you > attach the bender to a work surface to assure > repeatable curves.\ > __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - Share your holiday photos online! http://photos.yahoo.com/
Re: Repeatable curves/suggestion
Just a suggestion. I have not tried this , but it seems like it should work. Lay the rail on its side between 2 pieces of wood. Slide a weight along the rail until a definite bend is noticed. Mark the rail and turn it over 180 degrees. Run the test again. If there is a significant difference in the bend point, you'll have a good stating point. Do it from both ends of the rail of course. Phil.P. Reading,Pa. > was once on a huge roll for shipment from the foundry and mill. Thus the > rail retains a memory from prolonged rolled storage. Just a theory. Any > suggestions for knowing ahead of bending which way the rail might be > biased to bend? > Gary Lane > Eugene, OR > > I have used two different rail benders and prefer the > Llagas Creek unit. I strongly recommend that you > attach the bender to a work surface to assure > repeatable curves.\ > >
Repeatable curves
I have had some trouble getting identicle curves. On the same rail I can bend and unbend reliably, but on different 8 foot lengths of rail consistency is not my experience. Are you suggesting attaching the rail bender to a flat work surface to keep the rail level for the entire bending process? I have found that Aristo Craft's stainless steel rail bends more when run through from one end than if the other end is the starting point. I have no idea prior to bending which end will result in a more shallow or tighter curve. Pretty frustrating. I expect the rail was once on a huge roll for shipment from the foundry and mill. Thus the rail retains a memory from prolonged rolled storage. Just a theory. Any suggestions for knowing ahead of bending which way the rail might be biased to bend? Gary Lane Eugene, OR I have used two different rail benders and prefer the Llagas Creek unit. I strongly recommend that you attach the bender to a work surface to assure repeatable curves.\
