switchmaster switch machines

[Anonymous]

What is the review on these things?
any negative operational problems
what are the positives?

thanks

[rrinker]

They work very well, are low power, quiet, and don't need a fancy control system because they are stall motors, so the power is left on all the time.
The downside is they are harder to install than a Tortoise, and don't provide the DPDT contacts you get with a Tortoise.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I bought two fo the tortise machines and the only thing that came with it was the wire the item to adjust tension and the machine itself.
When I think of DPDT's that is an actual switch and I have dozens of them I got them at radio shack.
I tried installing one of those tortises and after creating a ton of templates and doing all sorts of songs and dances oh and bumping my head about 800 times I got one in.
I just wanted to see if the switchmaster were a bad idea I have used them before but really didnt know and I can get one installed in about 5 minutes without bumping my noggin or using a template.
Just looking for an opinion

thanks

[rrinker]

I don't think the Switchmaster will be any easier, they basically screw to the layout with a pair of standoffs and you have to fashion a bit more linkage.
I'm using extruded foam for my layout base, so I'm mounting my Tortoises from the top. It's extremely easy with foam. You COULD do the same with wood but routing the recess would be a bit more difficult and there may be some structural issues.
The tip I passed along about doing the Tortoises AFTER laying the track also works for locating them BEFORE you lay track - put the turnout in position, but not permenently. use a small diameter drill to drill down throught he hole int he throwbar, with it centered. Now remove the turnout, go underneath, and drill up with the proper size drill, using the small hoel as a guide. Take the paper template that comes with the Tortoise and glue it to a piece of plastic or thin wood, and drill out the marked holes. It'll be a lot easier to work with than that flimsy paper. Mark the screw locations underneath, and then start two screws on one side. Slip the Tortoise in, and add the other two screws. Add the spring wire last. Much easier this way than trying to fumble around in the dark - oh yeah, those clamp on desk lights witht he articulating arms? Clamp one to the bottom of the benchwork so you can see what you're doing down there.
The DPDT contacts are built in to the Tortoise, that's why there are 8 terminals. Good for powering frogs and position indicators.

--Randy

[DENNIS JACKSON]

I have used about 20 of these and love them. Easy to install and work beautifully. Tried Tortise machines and found them by difficult to adjust and install. Sold my Tortise machined

[owen w in california]

I've been using Switchmasters for years on my N scale layout. Once you get the hang of it, they are easy to install. And I consider them better and easier to install than a Tortoise because:1) only a very small hole is needed (1/16"); 2) there is more flexibility in how it is placed in relationship to the turnout; 3) there is more forgiveness in the placement, if you don't get it exactly right. If you need to, use another wire and rebend it or drill a new 1/16" hole (which you can't see anyway). I use them in concert with Frog Juicers to handle turnout polarity. And the rotational action of the Switchmaster can be used for animation (signs, windmills, etc). I use one on my layout as an "automatic Brakeman", I bent the actuator wire so that it rotates across the tracks to keep a train on the main with a grade from rolling during switching of the adjacent customer. Speed of the rotation is controlled by the size of the resistor used. 

[rrinker]

 Now that is one necro thread - last post from 16 years ago. Talk about moving on - I use servos now, cheaper than any of them. ANd just as easy to install. They all require just one hole drilled.

                             --Randy

[oldline1]

rrinker

They work very well, are low power, quiet, and don't need a fancy control system because they are stall motors, so the power is left on all the time.
The downside is they are harder to install than a Tortoise, and don't provide the DPDT contacts you get with a Tortoise.

--Randy

 

 

I agree MOSTLY with Randy's comments. I used them on my S scale layout using codes 100, 83 and 70 handlaid turnouts and they were very reliable. Easier to install than Tortoises to me. 

 

oldline1

[SeeYou190]

It appears the Switchmaster Switch Machine is still available.

The thread did not outlive the product.

-Kevin

[riogrande5761]

whoa.  16 year necro!

[SeeYou190]

riogrande5761

whoa. 16 year necro!

There it is.

-Kevin

[rrinker]

SeeYou190

 

 

riogrande5761

whoa. 16 year necro!

 

 

There it is.

-Kevin

 

Pfft, I said that in my post. 

                     --Randy

[SeeYou190]

rrinker

Pfft, I said that in my post.

Yeah, but your post also had content and added to the conversation. Much better that way.

-Kevin

[Marc_Magnus]

 

They work great, they throw around 25 turnouts on my N scale layout since they were refered in an article in MR during the 80's; none have failed until now.

These motors are offered by Switchmaster but are build as display motors by HANKSCRAFT display motors.

https://www.hankscraftpop.com/motors

Good reference is the FSM which has used a lot of them .

I have ordered a second group with friends some years ago directly to HANKSCRAFT display motors, they offer excellent deal for big quantities.

Many clones of these motors are offered on Amazon or other online wholesaler site, but they are very poor copy, the Hankscraft motor have brass gear inside, they are designed to live a long time,; the clones have poor nylon gears and live only a short time.

 

I have designed a simple plate to support them and the switch contact to power the frog or signal; the plate is  made of aluminium, the aluminium could be substitued by styrene, an article in MR some years ago showed the way to make them.

 

By mounting the motor this way, It need no linkage and no adjustement since the motor has a 360° travel; using a light piano wire for actuator give enough pressure for my Peco code 55 ( spring removed) or my now used Fastrack turnouts.

 

power come from two transformer with a common path, this mean only one wire of power is necessary for the switch control the second is a common path between all the motors.

 

Some says they are necro, but this is also true for Tortoises; servos need device to be operated, a control board; they also need a form of support to put them under a turnout; they need a micro switch for the frog power and if You don't want them you need another board like a frog juicer to power the frog, so I'm not sure it's the simpliest way to go and certainly not easier than install a tortoise or a switchmaster motor ( which is easier to put than a Tortoise)

I also see that most of the big layouts, named empire layout, even build today or in the very last 5 years don't use servo's but for the most Tortoises motors.

Switchmaster motors are rarely proposed as switch machine for unknow reasons  but they are great in a ny case

My extension of my Maclauriver in N scale will use exclusively Hankscraft display motor because I have ask an offer to Hankscraft for a big deal and the price are extremly interesting.

I'm also sure to not have troubles with them, some on my layout are working since more of nearly 4o years like some Tortoise, not sure this could happen with servos and the electronic they need to work; course just my opinion.