We are building our first layout (HO). With Peco switches. Controlled by Tortise switch machines. The Table top is 3/8 plywood with 1 & 1/2 inches of foam on top. along with cork roadbed.
Is the tortise spring wire long enough to mount the Tortise to the plywood under.
The wire that comes packaged with the Tortoise will be too short.
I create my own Tortoise actuator wires from 0.032" piano wire. There is a template in the Tortoise instruction sheet.
It is easy.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I would second the use of the piano wire, even in thinner roadway situations. It's significantly stiffer, helping against other minor issues to an extent. You will only need to drill out the pivot lever hole slightly for the 0.032" wire.
Be sure to drill a generous size hole under the throwbar to prevent the wire hitting the sde of the hole, in case of minor misalignment. I like to secure the Tortoise to the plywood with Scotch Outdoor double sided mounting tape, then secure it with a screw at 2 corners. (You can adjust it if needed). Perhaps best, note that you can thread the wire, through the throwbar, from above by leaving the 90-degree bend undone and adding that below the table. Much easier than threading it up, through the throwbar hole, from below (IMHO).
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
peahrensPerhaps best, note that you can thread the wire, through the throwbar, from above by leaving the 90-degree bend undone and adding that below the table. Much easier than threading it up, through the throwbar hole, from below (IMHO).
That is a great tip that I am going to try out.
Thank you.
SeeYou190 peahrens Perhaps best, note that you can thread the wire, through the throwbar, from above by leaving the 90-degree bend undone and adding that below the table. Much easier than threading it up, through the throwbar hole, from below (IMHO). That is a great tip that I am going to try out. Thank you. -Kevin
peahrens Perhaps best, note that you can thread the wire, through the throwbar, from above by leaving the 90-degree bend undone and adding that below the table. Much easier than threading it up, through the throwbar hole, from below (IMHO).
I do this as well. I put a 90 degree bend at the top of the wire so when I drop it down from the top side, the wire doesn't fall thru. I use as long of piece of wire as I can (usally comes in 3 ft lengths) and just keep trimming it down as I go. I then bend the wire underneath the layout after passing it through the little green bar. Rather than just putting a bend in the end of the wire and trying to fit it in the tiny hole I make it into a diamond shape and wrapping it around the screw (see below)
The last thing I do is trim the excess wire off from the top side since it tends to stick a foot or so.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
And don't forget to note that sliding the fulcrum bar up and down changes the leverage (towards the floor increases leverage).
krakow We are building our first layout (HO). With Peco switches. Controlled by Tortise switch machines. The Table top is 3/8 plywood with 1 & 1/2 inches of foam on top. along with cork roadbed. Is the tortise spring wire long enough to mount the Tortise to the plywood under.
krakow, Just to add to the very good procedures above...IF/WHEN USING/CUTTING PIANO WIRE, USE CUTTERS TO CUT PIANO WIRE. NOT RAIL/TRACK CUTTERS. AND WEAR SAFTY GLASSES.
With the Peco switchs, you may want to remove the little dogleg spring so then the switch points will not ''snap'' to the left and right. By removing this little spring you will not put extra strain on the Tortise's spring wire and make it work harder to throw the points. Others here may say different.
I just looked on my layout (HO), my Peco Code 100 with Caboose Inds. ground throws still have the dogleg spring in place. The ones with Tortise switch machines and the heavier wire do not have the dogleg spring. My wire goes up though 3/4'' plywood, 1/2'' blue foam and cork roadbed.
Thanks for starting this thread. I've had a difficult time with my previous layout using 2" cork. The wire seems too thin and even unfolded paper clips don't work well.
kasskaboose Thanks for starting this thread. I've had a difficult time with my previous layout using 2" cork. The wire seems too thin and even unfolded paper clips don't work well.
Two inch cork? I bet that was fun to bore a hole though.