making springs for reduction in throw when using Caboose Throw levers

[Timesaver1948]

N Scale throw levers have a movement of .135" and I remember reading an article sometime ago about using piano wire similar to an over-center spring used in Peco N Scale turnouts.
Does this ring a bell with anyone who may have suffered the same problem.

[Philip H]

The articles I recall are all about making centering springs in lieu of ground throws. So if you are tying to reduce the throw arc of the Caboose Industries product this may not do you any good.

[Chris333]

[Maletrain]

Two comments:
1. I think there are two ground throws made by Caboose Industries, one for Code 80 and one for Code 55 track.  http://www.cabooseind.com/product-info  They differ by whether they are "rigid" or include an internal spring.  The idea is to use a spring of the proper tension to hold the points closed on the weaker Code 55 track without breaking it.  (It is weaker in the way the rails are attached to the ties.)
2. If you want to insert your own spring in the rigid throw, then you will need to insert it between the Caboose Industries device and the turnout, where it will be visible.  Considering that the Caboose industries ground throw mechanism is grossly out-of-(N)scale to begin with, maybe that isn't an issue for you.  Or, you could mount the Caboose throw on the edge of the layout and connect it to the turnout throw bar with a long stiff wire, with a kink put into it to act as the spring.  This is what is commonly done by people who use simple slide switches to both throw their turnouts and make the electrical connections to power frogs, signals, etc.  I have seen pictures and descriptions of this in print, but a quick search did not give me a convenient link for you.

[soo]

Like the home made spring. I have used them in the past.
Thanks to Chris333 for posting the vid. I never knew you needed away pressure...I always thought you needed " pinch" pressure.
I might just use the wire + tam valley frog juicers for my freemoN sections.

Laters,
Y-it

[Timesaver1948]

 
Thanks to Maletrain for the solution to my problem.
I know that the Caboose throw switches are nowhere N Scale size even though they are advertised as being for N Scale.  We have a few on a module at our railway club which are probably ten to fifteen years old and the size of them is almost half of the size of the current ones.
I am not what you would call a rivet counter and function is more important to me.
Your second point is exactly what I am after and have decided to have a fiddle today.  When I get the function right I will put a photo on the Wire.
The fact that it will be visible isn't a problem either because some rust paint will help to hide them.