Hey Paul/Fred/any-other-Ottawa-types listening.
I rummaged around on the OVGRS website, but I didnt see any construction details on the turntables you guys use. Happen to have any detail shots/construction hints? I want to build one like it. Is it just aluminum shapes bolted together? What’s the pivot? Inquiring minds want to know…
Hi Bob… I built two of them. One is that I had to rebuild a 5 foot turntable using a lazy Susan and build a pit to put it in with roller on the end of the bridge to roll on Ho scale rails. I keep that one covered from the rain.
The other one is a 3 foot turntable using a 1/2 in steel shaft about 8 inch long with a plate welded on to it. Took a 1-1/4 PVC and inserted two seal bearing in it. Both work Good. But, I think if i make anymore due to I don’t like or need any metal out side maybe just use 1inch pvc 6 inch long.and insert 3/4 pvc in side with a plastic plate to be able to bolt on the bridge… Lot easer to make and last for every… Pits are easy to make. Just a suggestion.
Noel: I already have one turntable on a steel bearing, but the ones the OVGRS guys use are low-to-no profile, directly on the benchtop.
http://ovgrs.editme.com/Turntables
They look pretty simple, just wondering if there were any caveats on their construction…
http://s615.beta.photobucket.com/user/danielpeck/library/Turn%20table%20Build
This is the ones I build and sell… might get an ideal for yours…
Since someone I know was credited on the page linked with the design…you can get lazy susan bearing plates at good, old-fashioned hardware stores. You can mill out the deck or the base to get about zero lash to the baseboard of the railroad. Real thin…less than 3/8", if I recall. You can see the corner of the Lazy Susan base in a couple of the shots.
Just leave two holes in the bridge, or a thin enough bridge, to access mounting screws.
On Ferd’s 1:22.5 line, narrow bridges work. Try to widen it out to accept 1:20, two holes in the deck (I use plastic plugs to fill them afterwards) to access the screws. Use 90WT, Hilton’s Hyper Lube, or some such on the bearings.
Call me if you want, Bob.
Hi Bob!
I believe this is just a sheet of heavy aluminum that Fred had bent by a local metal dealer. The metal rails are fastened with self tapping screws directly to the turntable to eliminate the height of the ties. That height is taken up by the Lazy Susan bearing instead. That eliminates the need for a pit. This simple, space saving device is used at both Nelson and Ralph Yards and proven to be very reliable.
In the yard at Ralph there was a low semi-circular wall added to create the appearance of a pit wall. I suppose a semi-circle of rail could be added inside that wall to ensure the ends of the turntable remain perfectly level if a heavy locomotive like the K-27 was being turned.
Because of the all metal construction, this is suitable for battery powered railways only.
Hey Bob,
Those opaque coffee can lids cut in to circles with the rim area removed make great self lubricating washers and offer very little thickness.
…ahhhh yes…the famous “Dave Goodson Memorial Turntable”…it serves us well…
Those lazy Susan bearings are VERY inexpensive. They are/were available at Home Despot....and require very little lubrication, but they should be lubed...WD 30 motor oil works well and stays in the track of the balls.Actually, Paul forgot that we have three of that type of turntable…there is one at Bell also.
Dang! Things change so quickly on this railway it’s hard to remember them all.
A couple different lazy su’ from LeeValle online;
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=44014&cat=1,250,43298,43316
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=44042&cat=1,250,43298,43316
doug c
Doug Cannon said:I've been thinking about one of those for a small turntable (for 0-4-0Ts) for a compact runaround. Quite prototypical ;) Then again, any excuse to visit Lee Valley :)
A couple different lazy su' from LeeValley online;
