tortoise switch machine

[Anonymous]

I am having difficulty mounting the Circuitron tortoise switch machines under my layout. I have never done this before. I do have experience with the twin-coil switch machines. Therefore, my cork roadbed and track have already been laid. I am having trouble using the template to mount the switch machines. I understand that I will probably need a thicker gauge wire to move the throw bar, but I am having trouble lining up the throw bar and the switch machine while laying on my back. Are there any short cuts? Do I need a template for each switch machine that I put in? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am having trouble following the instructions that are enclosed with the switch machines. Thanks [:D]

[SteelMonsters]

I used a template for the first Tortoise I put in. After doing that, I now just drill the hole for where the throw-wire extends to the turnout. Then I put the tortoise in place, mark the skrew positions, then drill pilot holes. Put the tortoise back up and skrew it in. Tortoises are very forgiving when it comes to being off by a bit, which means I spend more time not installing them.

[tomwatkins]

I glued the paper template to a piece of .080 styrene which I then cut to shape. I drilled a hole thru the center and mounted a piece of .032 piano wire into it. With the turnout throwbar centered and held in position with masking tape I could then slip the piano wire up thru the hole in the roadbed and position the template. I taped it into position under the roadbed so I could trace the outline and locate the mounting holes. I'm sure there are other ways to do this, but this way worked well for me.
Hope this helps,
Tom Watkins

[bogp40]

Another option for mounting is to to use a 1/4" mounting plate w/ ears for the screws.
Plywood, MDF or styrene. I like a 3 point mount, rear pivot, 2 front(straddle track) slotted. Allows for repositioning switch machine for alignment and throw rod point tension. Of coarse you need the piano wire as mentioned by tomwatkins.
Secure Tortoise to plate w/ machine screws, heads countersunk @ top.
Bob K.

[rrinker]

You can drill the hole from the top down, as well. If you position the turnout in place you can use a small diameter drill to make a pilot hole, or at least start a hole, and then remove the turnout and drill witht he regular size. Or, if you are VERY careful and use a depth stop, you can drill a pilot hole from the top after the turnout is mounted, and then drill up from the bottom using a depth stop so you don't go through the ties and all. Combine that with tomwatkins' template glued to the plastic to mark the screws for the Tortoise. The throwbar hole will be in the right place because you started it from the top.
The other method shown in MR some time ago was to mount the tortoise on a block of wood at the bench, and start a single wood screw. Hold it in place approximately lined up underneath and drive the single screw in, but not super tight. Adjust the final position and drive a second screw in.

--Randy

[ClinchValleySD40]

Throw away the template. Mount the switch to a scrap piece of wood at the workbench. The wood should stick out past the sides of the Tortoise about an inch on each side, I use a piece 2" x 4". Start a couple of screws (I use drywall 1"). With the wire (use heavier .032 wire) installed on the switch, go mount it. Stick it up through the hole into the switch. Hold it and throw it back and forth to make sure it's positioned. Now drive home the drywall screws. It's very simple and quick to do it this way, takes only a minute.
I also use a short piece of Cat5 cable and solder it to the Tortoise and attach the other end to an 8 position terminal strip which I attach under the layout close to the switch. It makes hooking up the electrical very easy.