In praise of Proto87 spikes – part 2…

Here’s a comparison in size between the ME regular spike and Proto87 S- or O-scale spike.

Once popped off the sprue the spike is easy to hold with the pliers because they are relatively flat.

The spike is actually easier to place next to the rail because of the spike’s smaller head. Just touch the web of the rail and you’re good to go. The ME spike requires one to offset the spike shaft from the rail web slightly.

I use a Dasco Pro 1/16" pin punch to set the spike. The punch has a concave point which keeps the spike centered and allows even pressure as the spike is pushed in. Super handy tool!

There’s the comparison. It’s no contest, the Proto87 spike wins by a landslide!

If you handlay track, give these spikes a try. 

Micro Spikes

How do they compare size wise to ME micro spikes?

How do you get them off the sprue?

nice

You forget the tie plate before !... imagine , you need 2 spikes by tie plate and by tie you need a minimum of 4 spikes ,

and you need one month to built a 36 inch long track . you have real patience .

the result is beautiful  

ME micro vs Proto87

Hi Dave,

Below is a picture showing a comparison between the ME micro and Proto87 spikes. 

The ME spikes look like a modified staple. They cannot withstand much downward pressure and bend easily. In contrast the Proto87 spikes are metal etched and they have a more robust width giving them good strength. 

Just an easy bend on the sprue releases each spike. 

Hope this helps.

Impressive

That's a great improvement Scott!  Super nice!

(Actually, after laying all my track with the ME spikes, my first thoughts when I saw your results were far less gracious and may have included a bit of profanity in my head. )

Misspoke

I misspoke on the spikes being etched. They’re actually precision milled. All the better!

Joe: truth be told, I never noticed the ME spikes on your layout. All the rest of the excellent modeling overshadowed them!

I'm confused..............

........as I went to the Proto 87 site and could not find any spikes but HO scale.  I am in O scale and use the ME Micro spikes for my code 100 rail where visible and the normal ones hidden. Like you pointed out, they are a pain as they are very easy to bend.  I'd like to try the O scale sized ones in your posts above.  Where does one find them?

Thanks,

Peter

Direct Link

http://www.proto87.com/HO_Fast_n_Easy_turnouts_and_track.html

Help with navigation

Hi Peter,

The Proto87 web site is confusing to navigate and sometimes one needs to hunt around for a while. Andy did update his design a while back and it’s improved but still could be better. Below is a direct link to the page describing the different spikes available:

http://www.proto87.com/product1908.html

If you click on the "Select Type and Qty" button it will draw down to show the S- and O-scale spikes available in short and long with two different quantities. The actual spikes are shown on the right side of the first picture on that page.

Hmmmm

I would have to think about buying them.

On other forums Andy has made some pretty derogatory and antagonistic comments about the modeling skills of people who don't share his enthusiasm for detailing track.  I would have to think about buying something from somebody who basically said my track building techniques suck.

I have about 6-7000 micro spikes left so no rush on a decision.

Some people are more opinionated…

…than others, but that doesn’t mean the product isn’t worth it if it improves your modeling and makes you happy. 

But, I hear what you’re saying, Dave. I have a good friend who has a "my way or the highway" attitude, but underneath that attitude he has a good heart. I just have to encourage him along with a little dose of humor and we get along just fine. Some guys are like that. And, who knows, some people have it rougher and maybe they just need to be shown a little grace. 

I’d say overlook whatever rubbed you wrong in the past and give the spikes a shot. They really are a great product.

BTW, Dave…

I noticed on your layout you model Chadds Ford, PA. That’s Andrew Wyeth country and I’m a huge admirer of Wyeth’s art along with his father, NC Wyeth. 

NC was killed at a grade crossing in 1945. I wonder if the train was a Wilmington & Northern train?

I think the spikes look

I think the spikes look pretty good and when the time comes it might be worth using them. I'll bet they even look good on flex track.

Now I have a question regarding this product. You say they were o and s scale but why are they called proto 87 if O would they not be proto 48 and proto 64 for s. Did I miss read something or am I just more dense than usual tonight?

Wider Range?

Dear Rob,

The "Proto87Stores" site started life as the "company store" for the Proto87 organisation,
but when manufacturing dev allows you to (easily) create similar products which are size-appropriate for "other scales" I guess it makes sense to label them as such...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

But, Rob…

…the S- and O-scale spikes work great in HO. 

Andy’s covering all the bases!

 "It’s no contest, the

Are you considering cost per spike in the results?  ME spikes are about $10 per thousand and Kadee spiker spikes about $14 for 4000 although both can be found for less at times.                                                                                                          For those having a problem with spikes bending the solution is hold them in the pliers with less sticking out then re-grip after pushing them in halfway..........DaveB 

Cost comparison

Dave, 

By "no contest" I was referring to how the spikes looked. 

Cost is comparable. You can purchase 1,000 of the short version Proto87 O-scale spikes for $12. 

My experience with ME’s micro spikes is that they can bend even when being very careful and re-gripping as you mentioned. For me, re-gripping and dealing with consistent bending is what is frustrating. I’d rather have a spike that is more robust so that I don’t have to take all those precautions. 

I use the S scale spikes and love them

Hi Scott:

Great to see you revisited these. I used the S scale spikes on my (S scale) layout and love them. I've written a fair bit about them on my Port Rowan blog. Here's the category link for those who are interested:

Port Rowan in 1:64 - Spikes

In those posts, I show the spikes, the pliers I use for them, and offer observations about their use. I also used them in the track-laying segment I did in March, 2015 for TrainMasters TV. Here's the link:

TMTV - The Roadshow - Laying Track

I particularly like that the spikes are flat instead of round. They cut into the ties, separating the wood fiber, instead of compressing the wood. I find I had fewer splits, and they hold extremely well. Of course, once I ballasted the glue (Diluted Weld Bond) locked everything together.

I was fortunate in that when my prototype laid track in the late 19th century, it didn't bother with tie plates - and since the hoped-for traffic never materialized, the line was never upgraded. So, my little corner of one of North America's largest railways (CNR) had 60 pound rail spiked with no tie plates right up until the end of service in the 1960s.

Happy spiking!

- Trevor

Micro spikes

To use micro spikes I have make pilot hole pick by soldering a #9 needle into a 1/16 brass tube and then inserting that into a short piece of 1/4" dowel.  I stick the picks into the tie where I will be driving spikes, then remove the pick and drive the micro spikes into the hole.  I use Micromark spike driving pliers.  That has cut my bending rate from over 25% to less than 5%.

Proto87 spikes

I had exactly the same experience.  I find the O scale spikes particularly useful for fastening code 83 rail to bridge ties, drilling a small starter hole and adding a dab of CA to make sure everything stays put.  A very useful product.

Thanks for the responses

Thanks for the responses guys. That makes more sense knowing that the proto87 store is selling products for other scales as well. I do not question the utility of the different products was just confused as to the changing of scales.

Proto 87 Spike

You are using the S/O spikes vs any of the HO spikes?

If so, which length?

Thanks and regards,

Bart

Yes, S/O

Hi Bart,

Yes, I am using the S/O spikes because I found the scale HO ones hard to use. As you might imagine, a scale HO spike is pretty darn small.

The S/O spikes are still small and look great – certainly better than the ME spikes, IMO. 

I’m using both the short and long spikes. They are virtually the same except the long spikes are just slightly longer. They both grip equally well.

Hope this helps.