Tortoise Under the Table on Foam

[KKEIFE]

I am about to attempt to install 13 Tortoise machines on 1.5 inches of foam over 3/8 inch plywood. I am trying to figure out how to position them correctly. I will put WS foam roadbed down and Code 83 track.

I am planning to mount each Tortoise to a thin piece of masonite that is has dimensions somewaht greater than the Tortoise. I thought I would cut a hole in the foam and plywood about equal to the size of the Tortoise and then drop it through the hole. The masonite base would then lie on the foam and hold the Toroise in position under the track.

I am concerned about how I position the Tortoise in the right place before I even lay roadbed or track. I know pretty accurately where the hole in the turnout will be positioned so do I just put the Tortoise in where I think it should go and put the turnout in position based on where the Tortoise is?

I'm thinking there must be a logical way to install these that I am not thinking of, so I am looking for any suggestions.

I would appreciate any advice, especially from those who may have done this before.

Thanks.


Ken

[ereimer]

i haven't done this before , but i've read about it a bit

QUOTE: The masonite base would then lie on the foam

this would cause a bump in your WS foam roadbed . the solution seems to be to use a router bit on a dremel to carve away the foam subroadbed

as to where to put the tortoise , i think you lay out all your track , mark the precise location of the turnout throw hole (does that have a real name ?) and go from there . not having done this , i'm not sure how precise you need to be . anyone else ?

[Bre2tSco2t]

There is an article in this months MR that describes one way of installing these switch machines. You may want to look at it as well.

I am curious about almost the same setup. We have open grid with a minimum of 2" foam block as our base(No plywood). After reading the above mentioned article, I wonder should I add a small piece of plywood between grids or add some long screws to the switch machine for the rigidity factor.

The article sounds like the way to go, but I haven’t actually tried it yet. Waiting on more info from the experts.


Bre2tSco2t
MGB - Where Life is nothing but FUN!

[rrinker]

Since you have plywood with the foam, I'd just as soon mount the Tortoise underneath. Either on a small block, which helps aligning them - you can fasten the Tortoise to the small block, then use a single wood screw to fasten the block tot he bottom while allowing you to move it around for the perfect spot, and then drive in a second screw to secure it. Or you can try the velcro method, on the main forum there is a thread by someone who tried the method ad found that it works just fine.

--Randy

[ukguy]

Ken,

I think it is CWClark who has detailed instructions on mounting his tortoises in this fashion on his webpage, but I cant find his webaddress right now sorry. Hopefully he'll see the thread and answer for you, or someone else can point u in the right direction.

Have fun & be safe,
Karl.

[HoosierDaddy]

I hope you don't mind if I as a related question. I have a 1/2" plywood, and 1.5" foam subroad bed, and I want to mount the tortoise from the bottom. Is this too long of a distance, and if not, what gauge spring wire should be sufficient to move an atlas turnout?

HD

[tsasala]

Installation is simple. Lay the cork or track bed, position the turnout, mark the center of the throw, drill a 1/4" hole at the center, position the switch under the hole, run the armature up to the turnout.

I put my switchs on a small piece of wood for easier mounting. I used 1" dry wall screws to secure the tortise to the wood and then used caulk to secure the wood to the foam. The screws pushed into the foam and helped secure it, but after some positioning and mucking around, the screws didn't hold well in the foam, so I used caulk.

I have a handful of pictures on my website:

http://www.cyberrailguru.com/gallery/ig_trackwork/DSCN2858

http://www.cyberrailguru.com/gallery/ig_trackwork/DSCN2861

-Tom