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Tortoise Motor screws

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:45 AM

krakow

I send you a message

 

Please see my PM reply plus check your e-mail.  Glad to help out.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 27 posts
Posted by krakow on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 10:28 PM

I send you a message

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, June 7, 2021 5:14 AM

Circuitron sells a package of 12 screws for $2.95, part no. 800-6502.

Circuitron always answers its phone calls. I have called them several times over the past few years.

Rich

 

Alton Junction

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    December 2001
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Posted by mvlandsw on Sunday, June 6, 2021 11:23 PM

[quote user="gmpullman"]

It will be awful close to this:

https://www.asmc.net/6-19-x-3-8-plastite-alternative-thread-rolling-screw-phillips-truss-head-low-carbon-steel-zinc-plated-wax/


 

These would run a close second:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193788914208?hash=item2d1eb82a20:g:IxMAAOSwrXhfz5cx

 

 

Minimum order 10000 pieces!!!!  Good luck indeed.

I would drill out the hole to fit  any close sized screw and use a small washer to retain the wire.

Mark Vinski

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, June 6, 2021 10:17 PM

I would try again to contact Circuitron.

A few years ago I bought about 40 used Tortoises on eBay and most of them were missing the screws and a few were missing the fulcrums. Circuitron supplied me with all the necessary bits at no charge. Can't argue with that!

One thing I did notice about the screws was that they were very hard to screw into the lever. I felt like I was going to break something before I got the screws in far enough (both new screws and the ones that came with the Tortoises originally) . I used a drill to slightly enlarge the holes and everything was fine. Your experiences may differ.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, June 6, 2021 10:02 PM
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    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, June 6, 2021 9:13 PM

They are an unusual screw with wider and sharper threads and a built in washer.

If someone knows the correct name for this type of screw, that would probably give you a good place to start the search.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, June 6, 2021 9:01 PM

I don't know and can't find the detail on their site.  Won't they respond on the phone?  Don't know if a hardware store has such a thing, if you can take a sample in.  

You can spend $8 plus shipping plus wait time and get some, with extra fulcrums (fulcrumi?) plus extra not so strong springs.

800-6500 Circuitron Tortoise(TM) Switch Machine Replacement Parts - Spring Wire, Retaining Screws & Fulcrum - 6 Sets (tonystrains.com)

Best bet might be, if you need just one, someone here will offer to send you one if they have some extras, if you send them a request via PM.  My only extra is on my spare new one.  EDIT: I was wrong.  I have a packet with an extra screw, fulcrum and the not so strong wire in my spare parts.  Send me a PM (in the Messages area by your name on the right) with your email, name, address and I will happily send it to you if you just need one.  Please reply here that you have sent me a PM as I rarely check there (once a year) and the software does not alert me to an incoming new message.

Or just try something close from your mixed parts jar, or a wide thread self-tapping screw, if the plastic receiver is soft enough to handle it.  Not sure this is the best idea.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 27 posts
Tortoise Motor screws
Posted by krakow on Sunday, June 6, 2021 8:20 PM

Does anyone know the screw size that holds the piano wire in place of circutron tortoise motors? I need a replacement and cannot get any response from the company. 

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