Large Scale Central

Improvements and modifications

Track and Trestles
#1

… to the simplified turnout throw as shown in this thread have happened in the past two weeks. It is now the Mark3 version and the following happened First instead of using epoxy to attach the toggel switch to the base the changeover calls for a U-shaped cable clamp and the throwbar connecting wire has been changed to a Z-shape.

Second in order to have more positioning power an over-the-center spring was added, complete with the appropriate tubing sleeve in the wood tie to prevent wear. The spring is made from K&S piano wire. The holes are drilled using a simple jig

Third two of those holes are used to position the “mechanism cover”

Fourth some slight modifications to the switch cover in order to fit over the cable clamp

And that’s it

#2

This makes me even more glad that I switched to battery power!

Did I say that out loud?

#3

HJ, you are making the spring switch more complicated than necessary. Using a safety pin’s coil makes the spring unsteady as one leg is higher than the other. I make mine from spring wire, most hardware stores carry it. I use the first tie and the throwbar, aprox 1 1/4". I bend the ends at 90 degrees and long as the tie is thick. In the middle I make a 30 degree bend, this angle isn’t crucial. The only important measurement is to have the holes the same length from a rail. I like centering mine.
You need to be able to compress the spring slighty on installation, so that it works in compression. Pivoting the wire should describe and arc, the hole travels in a straight line, at the center of travel the spring encounters the most compression, thus it begins to snap over as that point is passed.
Omitting the coil the whole thing lies flatter and painted to match the ties and ballast virtually disappears.

John

#4

Why do you need the spring if you also have a toggle switch?

The toggle handle will limit the travel and hold the points in place.

#5

Well, I believe the extra turn on the spring should prevent weakening of the action over time. :wink:

If the toggle would hold the point rails sufficiently I would have saved myself the work, however since the round toggle switches have not as much holding power as the rectangular ones in goes the extra spring. The rectangular switches hold to 330gr, the round ones to 250gr.:confused:

And how did I measure that? With the same digital fish scale that I use for measuring drawbar pull. :wink: :slight_smile:

#6

Why are you measuring grains? Than unit of measure hasn’t been used in 40 years!

#7

should have been g=grams.

“gr” is a very old leftover from the pre-ISO days. You probably wouldn’t remember those, at least not in Metric. :stuck_out_tongue: :smiley:

#8

Actually, I do remember them, I’m that old. gr 1 = 65mg Or, more accurately, gr 1 = 64.79891 milligrams

It is still used by some pharmacists and older physicians. Older than me, at least. :stuck_out_tongue:

#9

Yep it’s all the old people, family cooking recipes would use “gr” for grams.

That was still better than using cups and tablespoons and all the rest, which threw me for a major loop the first time I looked at a pastry recipe. Weird stuff! :lol:

#10

Time to upgrade the toggle switches on the elevated section. While I’m at it make up a “remote handthrow actuator”

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick01_s.jpg)

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick02_s.jpg)

PUSH

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick03_s.jpg)

PULL It’s hard to beat the price and the high tech design. :wink: :smiley: :wink:

#11

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Time to upgrade the toggle switches on the elevated section. While I’m at it make up a “remote handthrow actuator”

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick01_s.jpg)

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick02_s.jpg)

PUSH

(http:///F-PIX/ThrowStick03_s.jpg)

PULL It’s hard to beat the price and the high tech design. :wink: :smiley: :wink:

I like it. My type of switching and you burn calaries at the same time LOL