I was in a hurry when I started my N scale layout, so I used some very old Atlas turnouts I had. I installte Tortoise switch machines on them in place of the buit-in twin-coil machines, and they were working fine. I ran into problems with the excessively wide flangeways on the guard rails and frogs causing derailments, so I decided to build my own turnouts, as I had done in my H-O modeling days. I bought an assembly jig from Fast Tracks and built a couple of turnouts using code 55 rail. The point rails are soldered at the frog and at the "S" PC board tie. That leaves 2 1/4 inches of rail free to move, and I have the point clearances set per the NMRA gague.
The problem I'm having now is that althoigh the points seem to move frely enough by hand, they are just too much for the springy wire on the Tortoise machines. The points are roughly centered between the stock rails when in their "relaxed" position, and the Tortoise machine almost closes them in either direction. If I manually "snap" the wire, then the points close OK.
I'm torn between replacing the standard Tortoise wire with something stronger, or building the turnouts with hinged points, which I would rather not do. I also thought of filing down the base of the point rails for their entire lenght, t make them more flexible.
Has anyone else enocuntered this issue, and have you any suggestions?
It sounds to me like you need to adjust the fulcrum on the Tortoise, or something is obstructing the wire in the hole.
Solid point rails always require more strength to move them. The better solution is to replace the tortoise spring wire with something heavier. The original wire is .025, so replacing it with .040 or .042 should work. .032 may work as well but might be light. Only trial and error will tell for sure.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I use Fastrack jigs for building all my turnouts on my Maclau river, #6 and #8 both straight and curved.
In the beginning I suffer from the same problems as you, Tortoise motor don't move the point properly because od to much strenght of the point
The answer was to not solder the PC ties "S" on the point, but I solder an additionnal pc ties between the "S" ties and the one just besides the first frog ties.
On #6 I solder it just next the first one of the point (beside the one which hold the frog)
On #8 I solder this additionnal pc ties in the middle distance between the "S" ties and the first one holding the point.
I also use a little more bigger wire on the Tortoise; both of these resolve the problems.
I also use a solder loaded whith silver to solder the point, which give a more strong joint for the moving rail.
Walt,
I encountered the same issue, but with HO scale Fastrack turnouts. Changed the Tortoises to .032 spring wire. If I remember correctly Fastracks recommends no larger than .037 dia. wire for use with their PCB throw-bars.
Though the .032 wire allowed full throw of the turnouts the action on some were not smooth. I was able to acheive smooth operation by identifying friction spots and lubing and burnishing them with a molybdenum dry powder, though I think Kadee dry lube would work as well. The friction spots were where the PCB throw-bar contacts the bottom of the stock rails and where the point rails contact the top of the ties. Also, there were some spots on the ties where excess Pliobond adhesive needed to be cleaned up.
Good luck and regards, Peter