Dapol '00' Gauge B800 Track Cleaner

[martin_l_jones]

So has anyone bought one and tried it ?

I bought one today, a bit expensive but they are supposed to be very good.

Instructions are bit poor though I have to say...

I'll keep you posted...

[DavidM]

So has anyone bought one and tried it ?

I bought one today, ----Instructions are bit poor though I have to say...

I'll keep you posted...

Martin, I have the N gauge version which is the same, except that it is not self driven.
Regarding the instructions, Use they vacuum cleaner first. Then fit the emery cloth grinder, run with that. Now run vacuum cleaner again.
All the above can be run in either direction.
Now fit the cleaning sponge, and carefully add your cleaning fluid. DO NOT fit a cleaning disc at this stage. Run with cleaner fluid for a while. Direction is critical. The sponge must lead. For fluid I use LGB Track Cleaner/Smoke Fluid, very efficient.
Now remove sponge, leave on one side to dry before putting away.
Fit cleaning disc and run, in either direction, look at the disc after a short while, amazing what comes off the track.

Regards
DavidM

[Mike Parkes]

I have the N gauge version which is the same, except that it is not self driven.

Neither is the OO one.

[rb277170]

Let us know how you get on Martin. I've got a large loft roundy roundy and have to admit cleaning rails is a bit of a chore. If this was any good , I'd give it a go

Russell

[DrStroganoff]

Ohhh, I didnt realise this had been released !

Shall definately be purchasing one of these soon as track cleaning is an area I am most lazy in !

[martin_l_jones]

So has anyone bought one and tried it ?

I bought one today, ----Instructions are bit poor though I have to say...

I'll keep you posted...

Martin, I have the N gauge version which is the same, except that it is not self driven.
Regarding the instructions, Use they vacuum cleaner first. Then fit the emery cloth grinder, run with that. Now run vacuum cleaner again.
All the above can be run in either direction.
Now fit the cleaning sponge, and carefully add your cleaning fluid. DO NOT fit a cleaning disc at this stage. Run with cleaner fluid for a while. Direction is critical. The sponge must lead. For fluid I use LGB Track Cleaner/Smoke Fluid, very efficient.
Now remove sponge, leave on one side to dry before putting away.
Fit cleaning disc and run, in either direction, look at the disc after a short while, amazing what comes off the track.

Regards
DavidM

Having a layout in the loft my tracks do get dirty hence the purchase, I have been using meths on a kitchen towel and that works really well, its just a tedious job.

I actually gave the Dapol cleaner a quick run around one loop with the cleaning disc and god, the crap that came off, unfortunately I didn't read DavidM's excellent post until after I'd done it. I then tested the sections with the kitchen towel and Meths and it has cleaned it well.

I will follow DavidM's advice on Friday and run it the rest of the tracks and on the lower DCC level and let you all know.

They recommend not to use the abrasive disks to often which I can understand but fortunately I can get some very fine grit paper sheets from work so I can use a less abrasive paper by sticking them on with double sided tape..

Need to get some track cleanng fluid as I didn't think it was a good idea to use Meths in the cleaning unit.

I'll keep you posted..

Oh and thanks for the advice

[Andrew Clarkson]

All,

There's a video of one in action on YouTube, check it out!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PmDErinAXOw

[martin_l_jones]

Well I've had a good go at running the wagon in various modes and I think its main benefits are obviously areas you cant reach by hand and it does work well, surprising what it picked up, a problem I found was if you are using seep point motors with a pin above the track level then it will catch although it has riden over them ok.

Just worried about damaging the cloth pad so I recut some of them down...

The changeover method of cleaning pads, polishing pads and to vacuum are not easy and I personally think it is a poor design, I worry about damaging or bending the pin.

I still think physically running a meths dipped cloth is the best way of removing stuff from the tracks but I can use the wagon to to keep the track spick and span...

Its a lot of money to outlay and at the moment I cant say whether its money well spent or not (but i believe it will be)

[tonycougar]

I thought the same when I bought the CMX track cleaner, but I think it was worth it, and its quite enjoyable to clean the track now.

[sishades]

I am considering purchasing the CMX but it comes fitted with Kadee's. How easy is it to fit "standard" couplings to it?

[B@rney]

I Have a cmx machine.

Very good bit of kit, You need to use Isopropal Alcahol ( I think thats what its called)



I also dont have Kadees, so unscrewed one, bit of trimming on an old tension lock I had laying about and screwed it in. Works like magic.

I belive if you buy it in the UK then they come with tension locks. (but i could be wrong)

It is pretty heavy though so you will need a decent loco to haul it around. especially if you have a hill or 2..

[Flashbang]

Hi
Have to agree.
I too use a CMX filled with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) (Correct spelling ) and find its the ‘bees knees’ of rail cleaners. It also cleans wheels too – IPA that is, not the CMX Use the IPA applied to a lint free cloth for wheel cleaning.
IPA is also known as Rubbing Alcohol and can be obtained from good chemists or form ebay sellers like these IPA sales on ebay

Sishades.... If you go to DCC Supplies web site they supply the CMX with tension lock couplers ready fitted if you order that way http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product ... ts_id=1071

Happy New Year

[Spavo]

Sorry to dredge this thread up from the depths....

I am thinking of buying one of these, can anyone tell me why it's DCC, what does it do if you put a decoder in?

Hope someone can help.....

Gav.

[martin_l_jones]

Sorry to dredge this thread up from the depths....

I am thinking of buying one of these, can anyone tell me why it's DCC, what does it do if you put a decoder in?

Hope someone can help.....

Gav.

Never tried mine on address 10 before I put a decoder in it, obviously if your not DCC dont fit one..

But I actually run mine on a different address to the loco which is pulling it.

I run the loco slow but the motor on the cleaner fast.

[Spavo]

Thanks Martin, that's great.

Gav.