Tortoise wobble

[Blind Bruce]

I have only two Torti and they both have their casting halves off by a few thousanths. This results in a wobble when they are placed on the underside of the layout. It is hard enough to fasten them up with screws let alone screws and spacer washers.

Question, can I sand the mounting surface flat without messing it up?

[cacole]

I put a piece of double-sided foam tape on them and that helps alleviate any wobble.  Sanding or filing should not harm the mechanism as long as the material being removed doesn't get into it, but you'd have to be very careful about sanding dust or filings.

[selector]

Note - I have zero (0) experience with these machines.  However, if I understand you, Bruce, I would mount them as snuggly as I could get without breaking anything...such as the plastic flanges through which the mounting screws go.  Then, identifying the axis of the wobble, I would slide plastic shims into any cavities or gaps, probably with a light dab of Weld Bond on the side that contacts the machine's base so that the gap is permanently filled.

[cwclark]

They wobble because of the way you are mounting them. What i do is first mount them to a piece of scrap 1/4" plywood then mount the plywood to the layout...

chuck

 

[engineerjoey]

I've only installed eight of them, but I find them very forgiving. The main thing it to get the center of the wire in the center of the hole when the points are blocked halfway open. Also, I drill a hole larger than recommended, 5/8th" I believe. Use two small wood screws and torque 'em down at the diagonal corners. That ought to do it.

[mondotrains]

Hi Bruce,

I've installed over 70 Totoise machines under my layout and the wobble you mention has never been a problem.  Just do as others have suggested, use 2 screws in opposite corners and that's it.

By the way, when I first got my machines, I talked to the owner of Circuitron (the company that makes the Tortoise) and he suggested I drill a 1/2" hole under the turnout's throwbar to leave plenty of room for the wire and also allow for adjustment.  When I say "adjustment" I mean that you may have to offset the wire from the middle of the hole to be sure that the throwbar of the turnout throws equally to each side.

Here's a trick I use.  I apply power from a DC power source to both outer terminals on the bottom of the Tortoise, to get the wire positioned EXACTLY verticle.  If the wire goes too far to one side, I simply reverse direction on the power pack and try again, till I get it vertical.  Then, when I get under the layout to mount the Tortoise, I make sure that when the wire enters the hole in the throwbar, that it is not pushing to either side.  Actually, before I get under the benchwork, I place a piece of masking tape over the throwbar to hold it in the middle of the throw.  That way, if the hole I drilled is slightly off center, I can adjust the position of the Tortoise accordingly.

Using this approach, I've managed to get most of my Tortoises to throw with equal pressure to either side, which is what you're aiming for.

 

Hope this helps.

Mondo