Track laying tools - stock and hand laid

Let me start a thread here. On the Yahoo Group's Z Scale forum, there was a discussion about track gauges. Here is a summary of what I put together:

MTL 988 00 031
www.micro-trains.com/pl-ToolsAcc.php

Rodney's 30-in-1 tool:
www.rodneysrrtools.com/ztools.html

Republic Locomotive Works (RLW) 2478
www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/show_item.php?ID=570

AspenModel: 4015
www.aspenmodel.com/us/content/details.php?art_id=5
(note: round off the leading edges so it
does not catch on everything)

Fast Tracks (www.handlaidtrack.com) does not have one and are the premier
turnout jig for Z scale !

The problem is curves. A straight block does not work here but the RLW thin
sheet gauge does. (I don't think it is durable enough for track laying and only
uses it as a 'master' gauge) A three point jig is better and I've asked
Rodney's RR Tools and Fast Tracks to step up here. One other concept I have is
a round version, like this one from the UK site:
www.zen98812.zen.co.uk/track.html. I made mine from hex stock so it
doesn't roll around when placed on flat surfaces

For Turnouts, FastTracks (www.handlaidtrack.com) is the premier turnout jig for
Z scale BUT Proto87 (www.proto87.com/z-scale-track.html) is now scaled
down from their SUPER quality HO versions !! YES !

Otherwise, Peter Wright (www.wrightturnouts.com/) sells code55 turnouts
that match the MTL tie spacing and the same footprint as the Mäklin/MTL turnouts
so you will transparent trackwork. His site doesn't reflect it but he does make
the MTL version. Or you can fairly easily blend in an MTL turnout if you lay
your track on top of cork roadbed like MidWest Products (N scale split in half).

Jeff
SF Bay Area Z