Railroad Line Forums
Railroad Line Forums
Username:
Password:
Save Password


Register
Forgot Password?
  Home   Forums   Events Calendar   Sponsors   Support the RRLine   Guestbook   FAQ     Register
Active Topics | Active Polls | Resources | Members | Online Users | Live Chat | Avatar Legend | Search | Statistics
Photo Album | File Lister | File Library
[ Active Members: 5 | Anonymous Members: 0 | Guests: 49 ]  [ Total: 54 ]  [ Newest Member: BandOMan ]
 All Forums
 Model Railroad Forums
 Model Railroad Construction
 mounting tortoise machines

Note: You must be registered in order to post a reply.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!

 Posting Form
Screensize:
UserName:
Password:
Format Mode:
Format: BoldItalicizedUnderlineStrikethrough Align LeftCenteredAlign Right Horizontal Rule Insert HyperlinkInsert EmailInsert Image Insert CodeInsert QuoteInsert List Spell Checker
   
Callouts: Insert Speech Icon: duh! Insert Speech Icon: oops! Insert Speech Icon: sigh! Insert Speech Icon: ugh! Insert Speech Icon: wow! Insert Speech Icon: yeah! Insert Speech Icon: ok! Insert Speech Icon: yes! Insert Speech Icon: no!
Message Icon:              
             


Smilies
Alien_125 [:-alien] Angel_125 [:-angel] Angry [:(!] Apple_125 [:-apple]
Approve [^] Ashamed_125 [:-ashamed] Banghead_125 [:-banghead] Baseball_125 [:-baseball]
Basketball_125 [:-basketball] Batman_125 [:-batman] Big Smile [:D] Bigeyes_125 [:-bigeyes]
Bigeyes2_125 [:-bigeyes2] Bigmouth_125 [:-bigmouth] Black Eye [B)] Blindfold_125 [:-blindfold]
Blush [:I] Boggled_125 [:-boggled] Boring_125 [:-boring] Bouncy_125 [:-bouncy]
Brokenheart_125 [:-brokenheart] Bulb_125 [:-bulb] Bunny_125 [:-bunny] Captain_125 [:-captain]
Censored_125 [:-censored] Chef_125 [:-chef] Clock_125 [:-clock] clover_125 [:-clover]
Clown [:o)] clown_125 [:-clown] Cold_125 [:-cold] Cool [8D]
Cowboy_125 [:-cowboy] Crazy_125 [:-crazy] Cry_125 [:-cry] Cyclops_125 [:-cyclops]
Dead [xx(] Devil_125 [:-devil] Disapprove [V] Disguise_125 [:-disguise]
Dog_125 [:-dog] Doggy_125 [:-doggy] Dopey_125 [:-dopey] Drool_125 [:-drool]
Drunk_125 [:-drunk] Dunce_125 [:-dunce] Eight Ball [8] Evil [}:)]
Eyebrows_125 [:-eyebrows] Fight_125 [:-fight] Football_125 [:-football] Ghost_125 [:-ghost]
Glasses_125 [:-glasses] Gnasher_125 [:-gnasher] Goldfish_125 [:-goldfish] Golf_125 [:-golf]
Graduate_125 [:-graduate] Grumpy_125 [:-grumpy] Headache_125 [:-headache] Headphones_125 [:-headphones]
Hearts_125 [:-hearts] Hockey_125 [:-hockey] Hot_125 [:-hot] Hypnotized_125 [:-hypnotized]
Idea_125 [:-idea] Indifferent_125 [:-indifferent] Irked_125 [:-irked] Jester_125 [:-jester]
Jump_125 [:-jump] Jump2_125 [:-jump2] jumprefect_125 [:-jumprefect] King_125 [:-king]
Kisses [:X] Kitty_125 [:-kitty] Knockout_125 [:-knockout] Love_125 [:-love]
Magnify_125 [:-magnify] Masked_125 [:-masked] Mean_125 [:-mean] Mischievous_125 [:-mischievous]
Mohawk_125 [:-mohawk] Moptop_125 [:-moptop] Mouse_125 [:-mouse] Mummy_125 [:-mummy]
Nonono_125 [:-nonono] Ouch_125 [:-ouch] Paperbag_125 [:-paperbag] Party_125 [:-party]
Piggy_125 [:-piggy] Pirate_125 [:-pirate] Propeller_125 [:-propeller] Psst_125 [:-psst]
Pumpkin_125 [:-pumpkin] Question [?] Sad [:(] Scared_125 [:-scared]
Shades_125 [:-shades] Shake_125 [:-shake] Shock [:O] Shy [8)]
Sick_125 [:-sick] Sing_125 [:-sing] Skull_125 [:-skull] Slaphappy_125 [:-slaphappy]
Sleep_125 [:-sleep] Sleepy [|)] Slug_125 [:-slug] Sly_125 [:-sly]
Smgreen_125 [:-smile_green] Smile [:)] Smirk_125 [:-smirk] Snooty_125 [:-snooty]
Snorkel_125 [:-snorkel] soccer_125 [:-soccer] Sonar_125 [:-sonar] Sour_125 [:-sour]
Spin_125 [:-spin] Splat_125 [:-splat] Star_125 [:-star] Tapedshut_125 [:-tophat]
Tapedshut_125 [:-taped] Thumbdn_125 [:-thumbd] Thumbup_125 [:-thumbu] Tiger_125 [:-tiger]
Timebomb_125 [:-timebm] Toast_125 [:-toast] Tongue [:P] Tongue_125 [:-tong2]
Tophat_125 [:-tophat] Turtle_125 [:-turtle] Vampire_125 [:-vamp] Viking_125 [:-viking]
Weeping_125 [:-weepn] Williamtell_125 [:-wiltel] Wink [;)] Witch_125 [:-witch]
Xmas_125 [;-xmas] Yawn_125 [:-yawn] Yuck_125 [:-yuck]  

   -  HTML is OFF | Forum Code is ON
   Insert a File
 
  Check here to include your profile signature.
 Check here to subscribe to this topic.
    

T O P I C    R E V I E W
closetguy Posted - 05/10/2012 : 8:27:32 PM
Hi All
I'm building a large layout for a client. I'm used to open girder and raised roadbed on risers. This just a large 12 x 11 flat layout with 1x4 grid work and 1/2" plywood screwed down on top of the grid work. Since its not possible to access the underside at all the switches, how do you usually mount tortoise machines when they are going in blind. I have already drilled a 5/16 hole through the cork and plywood dead center under the center of the throw bar.
Advice please?
Thank you
Mike M
15   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
k9wrangler Posted - 09/08/2012 : 7:11:53 PM
I also use hot melt glue with success, when access to the bottom of the layout would make it difficult to use the screws. I use the hot temp setting on the gun with multi temp sticks. That allows you some working time to get the tortoise in place before the glue sets. I put the throw arm on the switch machine at center and then attach the wire rod and then bring it up from the bottom and adjust it until the points are at center. Once energized the points will go to the proper position.

I used double stick tape a few times and after a short time they came unstuck from the bottom of the layout.
vamodeler Posted - 09/08/2012 : 3:27:04 PM
There are some great ideas here.

Here's one i haven't seen mentioned.
While I also prefer to mount with four screws, I have had success using hot melt glue to mount the machines directly to plywood or to foam. Such installations have held up remarkably well. In two instances, I changed the track plan and removed the machines without problems, scrapped off the hot glue and used them again. Usually done under the layout, blind, but moving quickly. If the mount isn't aligned right, pull off, scrape and re-apply. Not optimal but does work.

Brian
desertdrover Posted - 09/08/2012 : 09:26:05 AM
quote:
Originally posted by closetguy

Hey Louis
I just wanted to say thank you. I made up this very jig this morning before going to my clients house and in 4 hours I had 12 machines installed and working.
Thank you again for sharing this method
Mike M

I'm gald to have been able to help out with the ease of this method for you Mike. And thanks for the kind reply, and time to answer back with your comments.
closetguy Posted - 09/07/2012 : 8:48:54 PM
Hey Louis
I just wanted to say thank you. I made up this very jig this morning before going to my clients house and in 4 hours I had 12 machines installed and working.
Thank you again for sharing this method
Mike M
desertdrover Posted - 05/14/2012 : 11:29:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by closetguy

Thank you Louis.
That was very helpful and brilliant engineering.
Mike M

Thanks Mike.
closetguy Posted - 05/14/2012 : 10:31:03 AM
Thank you Louis.
That was very helpful and brilliant engineering.
Mike M
desertdrover Posted - 05/11/2012 : 4:17:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nhguy

Brilliant Louis! I hadn't thought of using an Kadee coupler gauge with t throw rod on it. Beats locking it on either side of the point with T pins. THe template comes in the Tortoise instructions but you can purchase a template from Circutron and its made out of thin board material.

Thanks Bill. Instead of buying the Circuitron hole template, I took the paper one from the instructions and laminated it. Then punched holes into.
nhguy Posted - 05/11/2012 : 4:12:07 PM
Brilliant Louis! I hadn't thought of using a Kadee coupler gauge with a throw rod glued on it. Beats locking it on either side of the points with T pins.

The template Louis has laminated comes in the Tortoise instructions but you can purchase a template from Circutron and its made out of thin board material. There in an extra throw rod hole for mounting it offset a bit.



It is very easy to mount Tortoise machines to the underside of plywood. 1/2 inch ply is what my sub roadbed is made out of. Here are a couple of photos of my installations. The Tortoise machines amounted using a piece of 3M double sided foam tape between the machine and the plywood. They now make little squares that fit perfectly in the center of the Tortoise machine. (WalMart) This serves two purposes. One is it helps align the machine where you want it and holds it in place until you screw it in.


I use #6 or #8 3/4 inch PAN head screws. Although I have used wood screws in some places, pan head screw are less likely to crack the mounting tabs on the machine. You will need 4 per machine to hold it securely. I usually screw the opposite side and ends in to secure it then the other two to stabilize it. Although two will hold it in place with the double sided tape. Secondly, it also cuts down on the sound transfer as the machine throws. It is a motor and makes noise when throwing.


Hope this helps.
desertdrover Posted - 05/11/2012 : 12:49:19 PM
Hi Mike, I made this jig. My staging yard is built like that, what I did, and I hope this all makes sense to you, is I took a Kadee height gauge and drilled out a hole in the middle front for a piano wire the same size as the Tortoise wire. Then epoxied the wire to the Kadee gauge. This way the Kadee Gauge sits on the switch after it is in place on the layout, and centers the switch to the middle/center with the wire going through. Then I got under the layout and used the Tortoise template to slip up onto the wire so I could mark the four (4) holes for the Tortoise Machine. It lined up the tortoise each and every time. This method worked like a charm for me.
Since this thread, I've posted a How-to here; http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36749
closetguy Posted - 05/11/2012 : 12:19:29 PM
Hi All
Thanks Al
Yes , there is cork roadbed. Just not applied in the above pictures. My mistake is that I've already spiked over half the switches and 200 feet of flex down. Wouldn't be too hard to remove if they were Atlas but the owner wanted Shinohara used. I really do hate all those tiny spike holes. Since the track is not as flexible as Atlas, I'm going to have to go a different route. I'll have to do access holes next to the switches and plug when done and adjusted.
Thank you for all the quick responses and ideas.
Mike M
Tommatthews Posted - 05/11/2012 : 11:26:43 AM
Mike,
I had your problem. I switch from Tortoise to servos. Much easier to install and wire.
You probably already have the Tortoise Switch Machines so my suggestion will be of no help.
Tabooma County Rwy Posted - 05/11/2012 : 10:51:28 AM
Mike,

Are you using cork roadbed? If so, here's what I've done with great success (sorry, no photos, this was on my last layout, just starting my new layout and haven't got to the turnout stage yet).

Get some 3/16ths Gatorboard (Micro Mark sells it). Not foamcore, but actual Gatorboard (sometimes called Gatorfoam). This stuff has a very thin veneer on both sides over a foam center. Very rigid - won't warp. I pre wired and mounted my turnouts on the Gatorboard (cut in the shape of a turnout, or you can use less and just put it under the points end, say about a 4" long piece). A 3/8ths or so hole was cut in to the Gatorboard for the piano wire from the Tortoise machine. I used latex caulk to adhere the turnout to the Gatorboard.

Next, figure out where this in going to be on your plywood deck, and hold the Tortoise/turnout assembly over the plywood so you can draw (felt tip pen) the shape of the Tortoise on the plywood. This is the hole that you need to cut out of the plywood; allow about an extra 1/8 inch all around, and a little more on the linkage (piano wire) side). Then you simply drop the Tortoise/turnout assembly in place and connect the rail joiners on the three "ends" of the turnout to your track. I used commercially available edge connectors, pre wired, to wire up the Tortoise, so no crawling around under the layout was necessary.

BTW, this method works just as well for those people that use a pink or blue foam base for their layout.

Hope that made sense, ask questions if it didn't.

Al Carter
closetguy Posted - 05/11/2012 : 10:42:02 AM






I was hoping someone may have come up with using a template, a good way of setting the tortoise machines blindly. If not, I guess holes will be cut at every switch and than plugged.
The customer did not want an open grid with risers. The material and labor costs were too much. He opted for a flat board system. I did insist on the grid bench work.
This is all made from 4/4 poplar. Assembled with 2" self drilling screws. Less expensive than pine and since it is technically a hardwood, its is much stronger.
closetguy Posted - 05/11/2012 : 10:32:15 AM
good morning Louis
Yes, I can make a cut out at every switch to gain access under the layout to set the tortoise machines and adjust them . With 20 switches I was hoping not to do that. Its not an open grid work with track on risers. Its just 5 sheets of flat 1/2" plywood with cork roadbed. I'll attach a picture..
Mike M
desertdrover Posted - 05/10/2012 : 10:40:48 PM
Hi Mike, Is there a reason the grid work where the Tortoise lines up can't be cut out, or removed? Can an off-set Tortoise be used? I'm not quite sure what you are up against here? Before I can give a good answer.
The Tortoise machines are quite versatile, they can be top mounted, side mounted, and at times set into the layout from the top of the benchwork.

Railroad Line Forums © 2000-13 Railroad Line Co. Go To Top Of Page
Steam was generated in 0.24 seconds. Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000