Tortoise Wire & Accessories

[central.vermont]

http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u449/peteski7/Railwire/MRL_Layout/MRL_wiring3_sm_zpsfb5efv0a.jpg[/img]

WOW, even the underside of Ernie's layout
is a masterpiece!

Jon

[jagged ben]

We have a terminal block part that we solder onto the tortoise permanently at the club.  It's a bit of work but once a Tortoise is converted your done.  I'll try to find out the part and post here.  I've learned there's way too many similar parts to find it with Google.

[peteski]

WOW, even the underside of Ernie's layout
is a masterpiece!

Jon

Yup!  That is why his layout works so well - he is very fastidious. I guess that working at IBM for over 25 years helped to make him such a perfectionist.   
But neat wiring with consistent color-coding does make troubleshooting or modifications so much easier than if it was a rat's-nest.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, game plan determined:

I just ordered some .015, .020 and .032 music wire and 12 position euro style terminal strips off Amazon. They should be here in the next few days.

I'll use cat 5 cable for my wiring (from decoder to terminal strip, terminal strip to tortoise, and terminal strip to frogs).

Now to order the Tortoises.

I'm feeling good about this. Thanks for all the great info guys!

[davefoxx]

Don't even think of using your Rail Nippers to cut music wire!

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Don't even think of using your Rail Nippers to cut music wire!

DFF

Lol, you mean my future wire strippers?

I've been down THAT road before...

Do you have recommendations for good cutters?

[C855B]

Ha! You learned the lesson well, grasshopper. I use a pair of linesman's pliers decommissioned from my electrician's toolbox (IOW, already chewed-up). Failing that, find a cheap pair of 'em at your fave DIY store. The cutters on these are more tolerant of the abuse than reg'lar ol' diagonal cutters.

The tried-and-true nick with a file then break shouldn't be overlooked. Files are harder stuff than the wire, the opposite being the problem with cutters.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Cool. I think I have a pair of inherited ones floating around. Otherwise, Harbor Freight is just down the street.

Was also thinking about just going with this:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-Bare-Tool-DC385B-Cordless-Reciprocating/dp/B002RT7K5K

Lol.

[jdcolombo]

Lol, you mean my future wire strippers?

I've been down THAT road before...

Do you have recommendations for good cutters?

I use something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/H-K-Porter-8-in-Wire-Cutters-PWC9/100174049

John C.

[wcfn100]

Can't you just use pliers to cut the wire?

Jason

[C855B]

Plain ol' "slip-joint" pliers are too loose at the fulcrum, usually made from softer metals and are not hardened at the "cutter". They'll do a fine job of putting 90° bends in smaller wire, but will never cut it. (Voice of experience here. Tried countless times, "But it's just one cut." Denied every time! )

Piano wire is just a pill to cut. For anything much thicker than .030", it's a Dremel cutoff wheel if I want a clean cut.

[Missaberoad]

Just need the right tool...

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-7101200-8-Inch-Action-Mini-Bolt/dp/B000SOSC4Y/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1472060543&sr=1-8&keywords=knipex

These will cut piano wire up to 3mm all day long...

[davefoxx]

Just need the right tool...

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-7101200-8-Inch-Action-Mini-Bolt/dp/B000SOSC4Y/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1472060543&sr=1-8&keywords=knipex

These will cut piano wire up to 3mm all day long...

I want that!  Nice.

For almost half the price, although they won't cut bolts like that Knipex cutter, try these Xuron cutters for music wire:

https://www.amazon.com/Xuron-2193F-Music-Cutter-Retaining/dp/B000FOJLEC

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I want that!  Nice.

For almost half the price, although they won't cut bolts like that Knipex cutter, try these Xuron cutters for music wire:

https://www.amazon.com/Xuron-2193F-Music-Cutter-Retaining/dp/B000FOJLEC

DFF

Sweet. Just added one to my Tortoise order through MBK.

[wazzou]

Mostly, I've just used a cutoff wheel in my Dremel.  It's not all that different than cutting rail.