ShopTalk Exterior become soft and pliable, but it will also be very hot to the touch. Wearing gloves, carefully place the track by hand as you would like it to contour to the arch. Once you have placed the track around the shoulder bend, continue to set the rest of the track down the remainder of the arch. Cut the track to the desired length and place the final portion of it to the arch. Allow the track to cool and harden before moving on to the next step! Photo 4 This Greenlee® heat blanket works well for heat shaping tracks. * Heat blanket method The process is similar using a heat blanket. Wrap the heat blanket around the area where you would like to achieve the shoulder bend and plug the device in. As the blanket heats up the track, slowly slide it farther and farther away from the center down the piece of track to continue heating. Do this as you are forming and placing the PVC track to the arch. Step Four: Drill or tap the holes If you are using Costa Track, you will have predrilled holes already set for you to drill into the arch. If you are using Flex-A-Rail, decide where you want to have screws installed to fasten the track to the arch. I suggest no more than 6-inch spacing between screws and doubling up (3-inch spacing) around the shoulder radius. We use a 1/8-inch drill bit to drill into the arch. Step Five: Fasten the track If you are working with a fiberglass arch, you can use a sheet metal style screw to fasten the track to the arch. For a metal arch, plan to tap the holes you have drilled and use a machine screw to fasten the track to the arch. In some cases, you can tap a fiberglass arch if you prefer that method and can use self-tapping sheet metal screws in a metal arch. This method is risky and should be done with caution. Pay attention to what type of DIFFERENT TYPES OF PVC TRACKS There are many different profiles that can be used for various applications and mounting areas on a boat. Here are some track profiles and materials you will find across our industry. Cutaway views of two different Costa Track® profiles. 38 Marine Fabricator | May/June 2019 Enlarged view of a piece of Flex-A-Rail.