Hi guys,
I think I'm back. I haven't posted since 2013 when my wife made me tear out my layout so she could have more room for her art studio. She is a professional artist and felt that her income coming in is more important than my income going out. Anyway, hi to everyone who remembers me (and nicetomecha to those I haven't met yet.)
So I moved to Arizona 3 years ago and I'm reviving the old Rock Ridge Railroad--my wife gave up some space and is letting me have about a 3rd of the garage. Only probelm is I don't see as well as I used to and my hands aren't as steady.
So here's the deal. One of you guys sent me an Atlas turntable back then and Gary sent me a really nicely geared 7V motor and gear assembly that could easily attach directly to a bridge. (I don't know if I thanked you Gary. It arrived after my wife killed my layout.) Anyway, I pulled out the Atlas Turntable and it didn't work. So I pulled it apart and looked at things. The gears work. If I had a crank it would index perfectly. The motor runs but the belt slips. If I apply pressure it does turn the worm drive but the turntable doesn't turn. I figure I could replace the belt and see what happens, but the idea that the worm turns but not the TT is unsettling.
I've heard that the turntable is reliable and the 9 inch size fits my biggest engine, but I've also heard that they are ungodly noisy. So I'm thinking of scratching one out. Unfortunately, most people I've read online who have either built or attempted to build one have said they should have just bought one. Still, this motor makes it mighty tempting.
Anyway, what you you think?
Chip
PS I should add that I am only going to use it to turn my engines around.
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
BACK!
Sorry that I can't help you with the turntable, but it's nice to see you here again, Chip.
Wayne
Wayne, your layout ought to be about finished, eh? Got a website I can gander at?
What a pleasant Sunday morning surprise! Good to see you around again
SpaceMouseOnly probelm is I don't see as well as I used to and my hands aren't as steady.
Well, you've joined the old geezer club then. Beats the alternative, feeding the scenery.
I've got an Atlas TT converted to HOn3 with the old school motor, sounds like someone shaking a coffee can full of rocks. The new school drive motor is rubber belt equipped, ao perhaps an obvious source for that assuming it's suitable for truning the wheels in the drive. I've thought about getting one of the new drives to see if it could be adapted, but at ~$30+ there's always been something more pressing to spend the funds on.
Sounds like the current configuation needs an idler arm. With a proper sized "pulley" for the ned of the arm, a spi]ring could then be set to apply pressure on the belt so that it would turn everything properly.
Homemade is an option, as I've built two using 1/4" phono plugs and sockets. One is written up about halfway down the second page in my Cascade Branch build thread (IIRC, the other is further along in the same thread, but at Tefft), along with a reference link to MC Fujiwara's helpful notes on building his.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/219241.aspx?page=2
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Nope HO. Only old timey steam. 2-6-0's and 4-4-0 and geared.
mlehmanHomemade is an option, as I've built two using 1/4" phono plugs and sockets
I always thought this was a brilliant idea, Mike. Right now I can't imagine adding this to the motor set-up.
I should mention that I am on a very meager budget--$30 per month. No kidding. Luckily I have all the engines and rolling stock I need plus enough kits to build a few small cities. Track is another story. I do have a Fastrack jig, but flex I'm going to have to buy.
SpaceMouse mlehman Homemade is an option, as I've built two using 1/4" phono plugs and sockets I always thought this was a brilliant idea, Mike. Right now I can't imagine adding this to the motor set-up.
This a strictly a finger-drive only TT. The drive is silent, so long as you resist the temptation of making motor noises
Some budget and a well-stocked roster beats the situation for a lot of folks. In fact, sounds a lot like my budget recently, but I can be grateful that I'm over the hump of having a reasonably compete layout. The stock of kits and supplies has dwindled considerably, but I've learned a lot about scratchbuilding things my way.
Welcome back! I have missed your humor and good work.
There was an MR article years ago about using a phono jack as a base to a hand pushed turntable. Maybe someone with the database disk can find it. The table bridge was made from a plate girder bridge. Basically scratch built / kitbashed
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G PaineThere was an MR article years ago about using a phono jack as a base to a hand pushed turntable.
I have to stay true to the 1890's prototype and have an electric motor turn it.
Hi there. Congrats for getting the space back for your model railroad (that is quite the story). It's probably easier to get another used Atlas table than trying to build one. But if you want to use it to turn around your engines, you will need to be super patient with the Atlas, because it takes a while to get that 180 degree turn completed. A loop or wye is much more effective, if you have the space. You might be able to do it on 15' radius with your small engines.
Simon
snjroyBut if you want to use it to turn around your engines, you will need to be super patient with the Atlas, because it takes a while to get that 180 degree turn completed.
Maybe if I ran it at 36V???
I don't have the space for a loop or a wye (Although I do have an AR1 though). The 7V motor rig is really beefy. It would support the bridge without having the half rail for support. The challenge would be powering the track.
Hey, Chip! You popped in for a week, and then you were gone again! Was it really all the way back to 2013?
Could you build a tensioner for the belt? Spring and idler on an arm of some kind? The bridge and gear not moving as one is a bit of a bother, but you may recall my trials with the kit Walthers 90' turntable I had years ago. I had to bash it quite a bit, and never did get it to work a full 180 degrees. It would bind, as other users reported shortly afterwards.
If the turntable is otherwise quite sound and doable, I would slide off the gear, assuming that can be done non-destructively, and use a Dremel fine burr tip to gouge a key groove. One groove in the spindle and one just at the lip of the gear's hub. Then insert and glue a piece of metal or styrene to act as the key.
I'm picturing the Walthers style, but haven't seen the Atlas one...probably the disk-type bridge?
Anyway, it's good to have you back. We missed you. In fact I thought of you just a couple of weeks back and wondered how you were getting on. Meanwhile, just since the summer, we seem to have dropped a couple of members, notably Chuck Beckman (tomikawaTT) and Grampys Trains (DJ) whom you may not remember.
-Crandell
Crandell
This is what they look like. The motor is in the shed.
This is more like what I pictured. THis is Doug Coffey's rendition.
selector Meanwhile, just since the summer, we seem to have dropped a couple of members, notably Chuck Beckman (tomikawaTT) and Grampys Trains (DJ) whom you may not remember.
Actually, I remember them both. How's your layout doing. At one time I thought you might start over.
Hi, Spacemouse!
Ha ha, that's my photo of my Atlas TT on the pink prarie. Welcome back!
I have the Atlas motor driving my turntable. I can't see how your turntable doesn't work if the worm gear turns. How do you know it would work "if you had a crank?" Doesn't the crank turn the same mechanism?
Yes, the motor drive does make a lot of noise. I power mine with an old DC power pack, which I've adjusted to slow down the turntable rotation, which also quiets the drive a lot. Since I turned my turntable into a pit model, I was able to put the motor drive below the surface, surrounded by pink foam, which helped a lot.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasleyHa ha, that's my photo of my Atlas TT on the pink prarie.
that's funny. I just google images Atlas TT abd yours was the first to pop up. If I remember correctly you were just about to start building a monster mayout. How's that going?
MisterBeasley How do you know it would work "if you had a crank?"
When I yank the gear and motor cover screws, one of the gears has a square shaft like a crank would connect to. If I turn that gear the bridge turns. But when I close it back up, the worm gear should contact that gear. When I give it power, the motor spins but the belt slipps.. I can increase the pressure so the belt turns the worm, but the bridge doesn't move.
Hey, the Mouse is back! Awesome. Good to see you again.
I think the idea like Beasley's of using the Atlas turntable as a hidden drive for the type of turntable you really want is a good one.
As for the drive, if it works with the hand crank it ought to work witht he motor, but if you're using a different motor than the actual Atlas one, getting the right tension on the belt may be a problem. A tensioner with a spring is probbaly a good way to go about it, then the physical mounting of the motor relative to the driven pulley isn't as critical.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerI think the idea like Beasley's of using the Atlas turntable as a hidden drive for the type of turntable you really want is a good one.
Me too. The more I think about powering the bridge, the more sense to makes go with what is working. (ANd I don't have to scratch out a better shed.)
rrinkerAs for the drive, if it works with the hand crank it ought to work witht he motor
Yeah, I just tried a better power supply and it did work this time. For about 4 click stops--then the belt broke. The rubber/plastic was old and fatigued. A new belt is only $6 on eBay.
I saw your post on Byron's article and I'm thinking, he still hasn't started that yet?
I had a layout before, that got mostly built but for scenery. I've been in this house for just under 4 years now, still working on having the basement redone. The old layout, while sectional and I did bring it along, a few months ago went entirely to the junk man. I only salvaged the electronics, tracka nd all went - I'm using Peco track on the new one.
rrinker I'm using Peco track on the new one.
I hear you. I'm trying to decide between Peco and ME. I figure they are just as good, but Peco is cheaper. Then again, I'm building my turnouts with ME (Yeah, Fastracks). All I need is some micro difference to cause weird derails all over the layout. And I already have 14 turnouts.
SpaceMousethat's funny. I just google images Atlas TT abd yours was the first to pop up. If I remember correctly you were just about to start building a monster mayout. How's that going?
I'm getting a divorce, so the layout is packed up while we sell the house. The wife always resented the layout. The new girlfriend appreciates it. I hate to have to tear it down after so much work, but if I get a chance to re-build I can eliminate a number of mistakes and make it a better layout. I'm retired now so I'll have more time.
Back
I haven't gotten to building a turntable yet (and won't for awhile). Good luck and let us know what you wind up doing and how it works out.
Paul
IRONROOSTER let us know what you wind up doing and how it works out.
I'm going to start by recessing it and bashing the bridge, but you know it will turn out great, Paul, because if it doesn't I rip it out and do something else until it is great.
Glad to hear from you and welcome back.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Mouse, we moved into town three years ago for a number of reasons. Wife partitioned a double-wide garage while I was away for a week and triumphantly showed it to me upon my return...saying the 9 X 24' part was mine. Now into my third winter, I have the room drywalled and painted, benchwork completed, track and electrical done (minus yard), and I have begun to make scenery. This was about 1/5th the pace of my previous layouts, also for various reasons. But, I'm running trains, letting them tell me where I need to tweak the tracks, and mixing buckets of ground goop. I'm at the fun part, finally, where I get to fiddle, problem solve, and enjoy my steamers running over clear spruce and plywood. (Hey, is there a name for a railroad in there? CS&P Ry)
I have to say it's good to know you're back in the cab and wiping down the gauges.
Re the sound, the problem is a lot of folks hook the Atlas TT up to the 12V DC accessory output of their power pack. At 12 volts it running flat out and it is pretty noisy. If you use say an old DC power pack and hook it up to the variable DC output so you can use say 3-5 volts, it's quiet and smooth-running.
Hey Brakie!
Crandell, what are the major differences in your designs this time?
wjstixAt 12 volts it running flat out and it is pretty noisy. If you use say an old DC power pack and hook it up to the variable DC output so you can use say 3-5 volts, it's quiet and smooth-running.
I hooked up my Bachman DC pack when I tested it today. I wasn't going to use it for anything else so you read my mind.
Welcome Back, Chip.
You have been missed.
Looking forward to seeing your work and reading your comments.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
BRVRRWelcome Back, Chip.
I can honestly say it is good to be back.