Operating switch stand in 90 minutes!

[FJ and G]

Made of brass and copper with a homemade linkage to change direction from circular motion (twisting the target) to linear motion (switch rod).

Took 90 minutes to make, incl cutting brass and copper and soldering.

Elliot Feinberg's switch stand inspired me. The only thing wrong with it is that when you twist the target, it activates the turnout without turning a full 90 degrees. Other than that, it operates very smoothly. I did it real fast and the target isn't quite circular so I'll spend more time on the next one. A bench grinder works nice to produce the circular form.

[FJ and G]

Ooops. I wanted so bad to fini***his up that I forgot to add the handle (cosmetic, non-functional because I twist the target). I'll add the handle next.

[Anonymous]

yea scratch build it good job [tup][tup] anything good in the mail yet

[hminky]

Dave,
Really looks good. What holds the switchpints in place?
Harold

[FJ and G]

Scratch b,

not yet, we got pony express!

Added handle in about 5 minutes, soldered on.

[FJ and G]

hminky,

THere's a copper wire throwbar soldered to switch points.

Linkage was created by soldering a copper loop to end of throwbar with an open loop perpindicular through which the target pole is attached (bent horizontally and inside the eye). This eye gives the target pole enough play so that the twisting motion transfers to the throwbar. I'll eventually draw a diagram but kinda tired now.