I need a longer spring wire for the Tortoise switch motors I am installing. Where do I get a longer piece of wire? Also, what exactly am I looking/asking for?
Richard
Ulrich Models Tortoise Wire
Click the more details button for info on the two different types of wire they offer.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
That link provided by Southwest Chief says it all.
The Tortoise switch wire is piano wire, and it can be purchased in a variety of places including hardware stores (Ace), craft stores (Michaels), and hobby shops.
K&S Engineering is a leading producer of piano wire for hobby and craft use. K&S produces a variety of diameters, typically in 36" lengths.
http://www.ksmetals.com/17.html
Circuitron includes a piece of 0.032" diameter wire with each Tortoise. That is strong enough for N scale track and OK for HO scale track, but many of us prefer a little stronger wire so we use 0.039" diameter.
It can be cut with a typical wire cutter, but do not use such things as the Xuron Rail Clippers which will get ruined trying to cut piano wire.
Rich
Alton Junction
Frequently the LION needs a new or longer wire for the Tortoise of him.
Him tried piano wire, but too flexible it was.
Him tried 1/16th" welding rod, and after enlarging holes, it was too inflexible.
Him unbent a paper clip. Works perfectly, and the price is right, too.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
My Local Hardware Store ("overloading" the LHS acronym) carries .039 "music wire." It's a few dollars for a 3-pack. I think each piece is 3 feet long.
Get a big, strong pair of wire cutters while you're at the hardware store. I use a giant pair of lineman's pliers for cutting the wire and then for bending it to shape.
You will need to open up the hole in the Tortoise machine where the wire gets stuck in, too. You may need to use the same drill bit to open up the hole in the throwbar on the turnout, too.
After you cut the wire, take a file to the ends and round them off a bit. This will make it a lot easier to slip them through the holes. I put just a dab of Labelle grease in the throwbar hole, too. It makes inserting the wire a lot easier.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley You will need to open up the hole in the Tortoise machine where the wire gets stuck in, too. You may need to use the same drill bit to open up the hole in the throwbar on the turnout, too.
MY LHS carries multiple thickness piano wire. You may find any LHS that deals in RC planes and such will have variable sizes.
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959
If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
I've used piano wire as thick as .045" but you definitely need to open up the associated holes in the Tortoise to us it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The hole in the Tortoise throwbar is big enough to accommodate a 0.40" diameter wire. Anything larger than 0.40" requires drilling a larger hole.
Bingo. The R/C store had just what I needed.
RideOnRoad Bingo. The R/C store had just what I needed.
I opted for .032 since it is what came with the motors and I wasn't ready to try my hand at drilling out any holes. I already installed the two motors and everything seems to be working great. I still need to wire up the motors (tonight?) but manually pushing the motor from side to side works. I was able to run a test locomotive through the turnouts, without any problems. Again, thanks to everyone. This layout really has taken a village.
Even if you don't have it wired yet, you can do a simple test to see if it works by using a 9 volt battery. 9 volts are a little low for the typical voltage so it will run slower then normal.
It probably doesn't hurt it, but I personally don't like to move the motor manually.
RideOnRoad,
The Tortoises I have all came with a .025 spring wire, but turnouts I'm using required .032 piano wire for reliable throw. Had to drill out the hole in the Tortoise output arm with a #67 bit to accept .032 wire.
regards, Peter
RideOnRoad I need a longer spring wire for the Tortoise switch motors I am installing. Where do I get a longer piece of wire? Also, what exactly am I looking/asking for?
A paper clip. You unwind it and use it for your trip wire. It does not need to be straight. It can be kinky and still work just fine.