I really enjoy all the threats, thanks everyone for the info, for a newbie this really helps. I got the idea lately to install a tortious switch on my new layout. I have already glued the track down. (little late for this idea but reading the threads give me these ideas) Any suggestions on how to drill the hole for the switch other than be careful. Would you use a flat bottomed drill? How big would it need to be. I'm afraid to drill thru the switch ties and destroy the switch. thank you very much
I installed a tortoise switch after the turnout was glued down. I had room enough to use a router. First I used the hole in the turnout's points, the part that slides the points from one side to the other. I centered it then took a small drill and drilled down through the roadbed and 1/2" plywood. That way I knew where the hole needed to be.
I then adjusted the router to a depth equal to the thickness of the roadbed and plywood. It was a little tricky working from underneath the layout but I slowly placed the router where I drilled the small hole and then slightly moved it from side to side to get an oblong hole.
I cleaned out any excess with a small screw driver.
I assembled the tortoise machine then set it on top of the turnout and used a small drill to drill down through two of the indents where the screws are to go. From there I mounted the tortoise from underneath the layout using the two predrilled holes. Then drilled two more from the bottom up and finished mounting with the third and forth screws.
It took a little tweeking but works excellent.
If you don't have room to use a router I would guess using a drill and being very careful would be the next option.
Bill
Drilling the large hole for a Tortoise installation after the turnout has been installed is next to impossible. Unless you are a mature wood-worker or machinist, I wouldn't attempt it. There are alternate methods of making it work. One that I use in difficult places is to drill the hole about an inch to the side of the throw bar, put a small loop on the Tortoise wire at the top so it sticks up a very slight amount. Then connect a short wire from the loop to the throw bar of the turnout.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Rotozip!http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100647080&N=1676+90401&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125You can pre-set your depth so you don't cut through the turnout. Dremel also makes a rotozip type bit and depth gauge as an attachment for their roto tools.Everyone should own one of these...