Any experience with Atlas Deluxe Under Table Switch Machines?

[Anonymous]

For anyone who isn't familiar, Atlas makes a deluxe machine that combines a switch machine and their snap switch relay into a single unit.
My LHS has stopped carrying these, and heard about some production problems. I like the idea of a switch machine and a relay built into one, but I don't want to hook up a bunch of these and find that they don't work as they should.
Anybody out there use them?
Thanks in advance,
David

[BRVRR]

David,
Most of my under table switch machines are converted from the surface mount type, but I do have a few 'factory built' under table machines. I have only one of the 'Deluxe' Switch Machines on my layout. I bought it because it was the only under table switch machine I could lay hands on late on a Saturday night. It has performed admirably as one of a pair of switch machines in a cross-over. I don't use the electrical side of it though. When I get to the point of installing signals, I intend to use the Atlas 'Deluxe' machine. I have not heard of any reliability problems with them.

[cwclark]

If i were you, I would (and have) nix the Atlas UTTSM and start using Circuitron Tortoise machines...here are the advantages: 1. the Tortoise has a DP/DT or 2 SP/DT switches already built into the unit...if you purchase the Atlas switch machine and the relay the price comes out to be more than a Tortoise...2. Atlas machines are really hard to mount..you have to crawl under the layout and drill that little bitty hole while trying to hold it in that perfect spot ...with a Tortoise, you mount it to a scrap piece of thin plywood and then you can drill the holes from the top of the layout while holding it in place from the bottom of the layout, it is very forgiving and doesn't have to line up with the turnout perfectly like the atlas has to, and sheetrock screws hold it in place instead of those tiny screws that come with the Atlas...3. the Tortoise is a lot easier on the turnouts..it has a stall motor that runs all the time and keeps the points against the stock rail..you can run about 100 of them with only 1-12v DC power supply and when it moves, it's slow and easy..the Atlas is a coil type turnout...it has a huge draw of current , can burn up rapidly if the controlling slide switch sticks, usually requires a discharge capacitor unit, and it slams the points against the rail, eventually wearing out or breaking the track turnout....and 4...they come with a 5 year warrenty but last almost forever...they are worth every penny...Chuck

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses.
As much as I'd like to go with the Tortoise machines, since the primary operator is my six year old son, I know he'd be pretty impatient waiting 3 seconds for the turnouts to set. Plus, I've already invested in the 12 momentary DPDT switches I need to wire my control panel, which I wouldn't be able to use with the Tortoises.
This 4x8 is really my kid's layout. My empire will have to wait...
- David