Model Railroading > Cutting Track

For cutting HO rails, are clippers a good option?

If you use standard side cutters or end cutters the rail will get pinched in and will need to be filed down flat.   Rail Nippers are flat on one side and taper cut on the other.   You place them at a right angle to the rail cutting from top to bottom NOT side to side and orient the flat cutting surface to be your finiished cut which will be nearly flat and require minimal filing to dress the ends.   Or of course use a Dremel and a cut off wheel, with a face shield to save your eyes!!!

Richard.

Xuron work pretty good, but mostly I use a Dremel with a cutoff disc.  It does generate a lot of heat so I clip on some heat sinks.

I like the Xuron for fine work like the double-main, double-main diamond I built.  For for quick work like laying flex track I use the Dremel EZ Lock cut off wheel.  As others mentioned, wear eye protection, but I've found the EZ Lock lasts longer and doesn't shatter as often.

Nathan

I've used Xuron and a heavier grade cutter, as well as Dremel cut-off disk (wear safetly glasses).  First, for the Xuron - use them only on cutting rail.  When I go full speed on track laying I like to use the heavier grade cutters, then clean the end real quick with the Dremel cut-off disk as that is less heat on the rail and prolongs the cut-off disk life.

Here is a link to a heavier cutter:  https://micromark.com/products/rail-nipper-track-cutter?srsltid=AfmBOooY82OvqFqtkCglwtfYNkkzns174c8nxqMALHQgMKi7oMKg4aW4.