Author Topic: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)  (Read 1109 times)

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GN Fan

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Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« on: February 06, 2016, 07:47:31 PM »
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I have two items I would like ask the masses about:

1. I am about to build a drop down passage way in a around the room layout.  I want the "bridge" to drop down so that I can have the hinges underneath the surface.  On the side opposite the hinges I need to make sure that when raised, The "bridge" is secure to the other side of the layout.  I have thought about using a strong magnet on the layout side and a strip of steel on the "bridge".  Would a strong magnet do the job?  I have a couple of magnet bars used for holding kitchen knives that I could use.  But I probably need to trim their length.  If I cut them with a band saw, will that affect the magnetism?

2. I want to connect a slide electric switch to the throw bar of a turnout.  I need to use piano wire, right?  What size?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

nkalanaga

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Re: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2016, 12:17:38 AM »
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Cutting magnets can be done, but most materials need to be kept cool.  High temperatures will destroy the magnetism of ferrous metals, although I'm not sure about the modern rare-earth magnets.

I wouldn't recommend using a magnet to hold the bridge up, simply because it doesn't have any way to lock it in place.  A good bump, such as an errant elbow, could knock the bridge loose, and  the trains hit the floor.

I'd use an old-fashioned slide-bolt latch, the kind used on garden gates, mounted on the underside of the bridge.  Drill a hole in the layout face, or attach a board under the benchwork if needed, line it with a piece of brass tubing if you want to make sure it will never wear, and align the bolt with the hole.  On my gate-style bridge I did all of this BEFORE laying any track, to make sure everything fit tightly, and there was no play when it was locked. 

Then, after everything was secure, I laid the roadbed (wood) right across the gaps, at both ends, and the track on that, with extra-wide PC ties on both sides of both gaps for security.  Cut the rails and roadbed with a razor saw, and  the track lines up perfectly, with no sliding joiners or other fancy stuff.  To complicate mine the entire bridge is in the middle of an 18 inch radius curve, and both ends are at odd angles to the track, so this was about the ONLY way to lay it!  I've caught my shirt, or arm, on the rail ends several times, with no damage to the track.  My arm didn't always come out so well.

In my case, the bolt goes through the face of the fixed layout, and pushes on the actuating plate of an ancient telephone company relay, giving me at least a half-dozen DPDT contacts for signaling and power control.  Unless the bolt is all the way in, the track on the bridge, and a short distance on either side, is dead.
N Kalanaga
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M.C. Fujiwara

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Re: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2016, 09:20:43 AM »
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I agree about not using magnets.
A simple bolt will do.
If you want the hinges underneath, check out this nifty construction by TwinDad:


You can see his design process on his nscale.net thread:
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?36951-Frost-River-The-Construction-Thread/page17

As for slide switches you can use music wire or brass wire.
Brass is softer, music harder.
Really depends if you're soldering to a PC board throwbar, as I do in this video:


or just bending it down into the throwbar, and depends if you're coming straight in:



or from the side:



Both those images are from Baronjutter's layout thread: http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?39142-Baro-s-3x8/page12

Hope this helps.
M.C. Fujiwara
Silicon Valley Free-moN
http://sv-free-mon.org/

BobS

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Re: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2016, 11:12:06 AM »
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Tom,
This is what I've done. I used unistrut with a gate hinge on one end and a door latch on the other. The strut acts as guardrails for the trains.
The magnets keep it aligned, they will get covered with scenery.





Cheers
Bob

nkalanaga

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Re: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2016, 12:51:45 AM »
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Bob:  And it looks a little like a through girder bridge, so not totally out of place.
N Kalanaga
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GN Fan

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Re: Questions about Modeling (Layout construction)
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2016, 08:00:20 PM »
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Well,

I want to thank those who responded to my inquiry.  M.C,. I went out and bought a couple of cabinet hinges today.  I am going to make the walk through go up not down.  I like the ideas that you showed in your videos and will copy them.

"nkalanaga" I have decided upon your advise to not use any magnets.  I'm thinking about using the slide bolt, but I am also thinking about "BobS's" use of a door lock.

Thanks again

Tom