18B Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Morning, evening, afternoon, was thinking is there a kit or a good list of what you need in order to use the wire in tube operation of points method, i.e. wire X from Y and tube Z from B? Would like to build a micro layout and use wire in a tube method to operate the points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 This drawing, courtesy of Shortliner may be helpful. Morning, evening, was thinking is there a kit or a good list of what you need in order to use the wire in tube operation of points method, i.e. wire X from Y and tube Z from B? Would like to build a micro layout and use wire in a tube method to operate the points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ427 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Morning, evening, afternoon, was thinking is there a kit or a good list of what you need in order to use the wire in tube operation of points method, i.e. wire X from Y and tube Z from B? Would like to build a micro layout and use wire in a tube method to operate the points. Gem do a set of components for wire in tube here: http://www.gemmodelr...Mercontrol.html And there's this from Australian company Modratec. I think they ship to the UK. http://modratec.com/wit.php There was also a DIY version called "Armstrong" Point levers which used piano wire, electrical connector blocks and a homemade metal lever frame. The website seems to have gone now though. Hope this is of help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
59004 ( was Shedcombe....) Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Hi, There's the American made Blue Point "turnout controller", a manual version of a Tortoise point motor. Similar in function, with auxilary contacts, but moved by wire in tube or rods, and much smaller in size. Of course you can get the wire in tube materials. See Blue Point Regards, Michel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakydoke Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Another mention for the Blue Point turnout motor. It's a ready-to-go solution, with built in electrical switches for frog polarity changing, points, panel lights etc. Add your own choice of wire-in-tube, cable or control rods. No more need for cranks, omega rings etc. Several UK shops now sell them, including Bromsgrove Models (no connection with ... blah blah ). http://www.bromsgrovemodels.co.uk/pi1161188161.htm?categoryId=56 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 The Gem products are 1st class, if you do not want to use mail order (Gem offer a supburb service) any wire in a tube will work. Model shops for aircraft/boats etc. K&S metal centres. Cycle shops for brake wires or spokes. Thicker wire does not need a tube, wire coat hangers etc with eye screws as guides etc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgeloco Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 http://www.humpyard.com/frank_acker_at_colton_tower.htm The site is an education in itself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 One nice thing about the bike-spoke method is that you can do 3-4 points for the same price as just one blue-point...thats pretty good saveings. Food for thought. Cheers Gene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfoundry Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I will offer this into the discussion for what it is worth. There is an Australian company called Pufsuk Systems who make a pneumatic point control system. Their web site is here: http://pufsukpointmotors.bounce.com.au/ You can download an e-book about the system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Whilst a user of the Gem MERCONTROL system, and having made parts for it whilst with Hamblings, the system has been up dated with PTFE tubing etc., and mention should be made of adding model aircraft control rods in tubes, (often used in the USA). These use a bigger core wire, but can take proprietary snap fasteners that ease connection to the drawbars. Wire in tube is as reliable as you can get, you can add frog switches,(inc., for indicating LED's), dual or triple, or more, point operation, and adding signals is easy with sprung cords, or wire in tube. Stephen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
59004 ( was Shedcombe....) Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I'd like to add, that I intend to use a full mechanical interlocking frame by Modratec, but am not sure in what way I will transfer this to points and signals. Regards, Michel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapford34102 Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 There's also the bargain dustbin solution using some cheap Maplins switches, a few bits of wire and some junk out the garage. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/blog/106/entry-263-getting-going/ Looks rubbish but it works pretty well and if your layouts not too big having to put the switches in line with the points is not a problem. Stu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted December 8, 2009 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 8, 2009 The makers of the Fasttracks turnout jigs have a tube-in-tube point system with a wooden point actuator. http://www.handlaidtrack.com/bullfrog-turnout-control-c-2087.php I bought a couple but haven't put it together yet, and I think the cat ran of with the tubes. They sell the tubes in 18" and 36" lengths and the inner tube takes 2-56 screw threads. (This stuff is made in Canada.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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