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Semaphore Signals - 4mm Scale (Mainly)


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9 hours ago, Rowsley17D said:

Hi Steve, I've used Brian's square posts but how do you fix then to the metal base? Thanks

Hi Jonathan,

 

I'm not sure what "Brian's" square posts are?

Did you mean "Les's" - i.e. what I am using?

 

My method is to make a socket out of brass into which the bottom of the post is a good fit.

This brass socket is turned up to also support the Guide Tubes for the operating wires and has a shoulder or flange to allow it to be fixed immediately below the baseplate.

This ensures that everything is square and vertical.

20210420_153436.jpg.59d83e938fefce31d69b260e9508a92c.jpg

The 3D printed post is turned at the bottom to make a spigot which closely fits the Socket.

I use Super Glue to finally fix the post in place.

This photo shows the Brass Socket soldered into the baseplate.

The Guide Tube (1/16in Brass tube) can be seen adjacent to it.

 

I hope this answers your question.

 

Steve.

 

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14 hours ago, Steve Hewitt said:

Hi Jonathan,

 

I'm not sure what "Brian's" square posts are?

Did you mean "Les's" - i.e. what I am using?

 

My method is to make a socket out of brass into which the bottom of the post is a good fit.

This brass socket is turned up to also support the Guide Tubes for the operating wires and has a shoulder or flange to allow it to be fixed immediately below the baseplate.

This ensures that everything is square and vertical.

 

The 3D printed post is turned at the bottom to make a spigot which closely fits the Socket.

I use Super Glue to finally fix the post in place.

This photo shows the Brass Socket soldered into the baseplate.

The Guide Tube (1/16in Brass tube) can be seen adjacent to it.

 

I hope this answers your question.

 

Steve.

 

 

Thanks, Steve. I meant Les, I don't know where Brian came from. Brain in a bit of fog since an op last week is my excuse. I never thought about turning a spigot but I would have to use a drill as I haven't a lathe but it would give the glue more surface to grip.

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And finally ??.................

 

Tony has requested an additional signal for Churminster & Stowe Magna.

This is a Rail Built Bracket with the two Starters for the little terminus at the Aerodrome.

 

1512029314_2021-05-1912_55_39.jpg.71822afa004ccef4e6618f4fd47c9e56.jpg

 

1404098930_2021-05-1912_55_58.jpg.1488b8cf20f78d526745837f9e145ec7.jpg

 

152410420_2021-05-1912_56_09.jpg.3cff27790d6bbbd30bf06dd770c4b5a1.jpg

 

1217745035_2021-05-1913_01_12.jpg.e1c6c374031d68ff6a1674b983d77b88.jpg

 

And finally a little video:

 

 

I now have a total of some 16 signals ready for delivery. They vary in size from Ground discs to a bracket with four arms.

Original plans for delivery and installation of the Churminster signals got put back by the first Covid Lockdown.  Let's hope the relaxation of restrictions allow our current plan to proceed in a few week's time.

 

Steve.

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9 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Very nice Steve. Was the prototype guyed to a retaining wall or something?

Thanks.

 

The design is "free-lance" as the layout is based on a ficticious location.

If it was a real design I'm sure significant Guying would have been necessary, most certainly opposite the bracket.

The layout owner may well add another "tie bar" when he installs the signal, but I don't know the precise details of the site.

 

Steve.

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18 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

There were 3 doll brackets rather like that which weren't stayed or supported by guy wires but whether they lasted their life without such support being added is arather different matter ;) 

Thanks Mike, 

 

Very helpful as always.

 

Steve.

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On 25/06/2021 at 21:30, Steve Hewitt said:

A Cantilevered bracket for Acton Wells.......

 

This model is located in a very tight part of the railway and consequently requires a large overhang from the main post.

 

993748470_2021-06-1721_00.43_renamed_10249.jpg.7ead27727e259c55b3d69b475ff20cec.jpg

 

This would normally have been a balanced bracket, but sighting requirements demanded this design.

 

The model follows my usual methods, with the main post being 4mm square brass tube, the bracket is a modified MSE etch, the dolls are 3D prints from Les Green's shop on Shapeways.

 

The operating wires are routed up the R.H. side of the main post to three cranks mounted between the trimmers.

 

2011107824_2021-06-1721_01.11_renamed_14207.jpg.bbc7deea70af81b3a6a5fb89aba30c2c.jpg

 

Each of these cranks is conneted to one weight bar:

 

The main doll, which also carries a fixed distant arm.

297199695_2021-06-1721_01.36_renamed_27480.jpg.961513cb1bcd5b699a0cf9edd5584e4c.jpg

 

The second doll with a single arm:

 

1966879954_2021-06-1721_02.10_renamed_8466.jpg.e90ed4409a1f5c7887b2249034eec023.jpg

 

The third doll has a short arm to a goods siding:

 

2029997358_2021-06-1721_02.26_renamed_9238.jpg.33fd3a3dd2864592c7d094e9bd74b647.jpg

 

Each of the arms in turn showing their "Clear" position:

 

773772075_2021-06-1721_02.42_renamed_26237.jpg.765243b9f1f725c3c0b18466a81404d1.jpg

 

1449712175_2021-06-1721_03.02_renamed_5348.jpg.03edb37978ff1a93292403a1c91f8311.jpg

 

1949971788_2021-06-1721_03.21_renamed_8409.jpg.dd52a45015edc7466614905bf8072cd7.jpg

 

I have a few shaky video clips which I'll try to edit together and put on YouTube......

 

Steve.

That's superb Steve. I have to remind myself sometimes how small these 4mm scale signals are in real life!:good:

JF

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On 01/07/2021 at 21:32, Jon Fitness said:

That's superb Steve. I have to remind myself sometimes how small these 4mm scale signals are in real life!:good:

JF

Thanks Jon,

 

Your 7mm models continue to inspire me.

The new etches you are creating are exquisite, just too large!

 

Steve.

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Can anyone help please with parts for some signals on my “Templecombe Lower”?  Richard Dunning has built very fine model signals using parts from MSE and Alan Gibson, some of which show in the attached pictures.  Still to be modelled are those shown in: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/517280707194092351/    Trouble is that kits from AG needed for these 2 pairs of junction signals are not being produced – priorities being elsewhere it seems.  The kit numbers are 4MM84 and 4MM90 (both listed at £20 in the AG online catalogue).  I’m also short of a LSWR bracket - 4MM66 (£3.30).  Has anyone by chance got – or would know where to get – unwanted purchases of these kits?  I would of course refund the list price and any other expenses.

              The extras to get the signals operating are already in place.  I’ve connected those already built using MSE’s “Retford” mounts (so can be easily removed for transportation).  GF Controls operate them and they are programmed into route setting using Big Bear software.  All this is also ready for the junction signals in readiness for the kits being located.

              The junction signals really are crucial to many key movements and are a frustrating omission when so much else is complete.  Many thanks in anticipation.

Tim.

P1000303m1cw.jpg

P1000320m1cw.jpg

P1000328m1cw.jpg

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3 hours ago, tingleytim said:

Can anyone help please with parts for some signals on my “Templecombe Lower”?  Richard Dunning has built very fine model signals using parts from MSE and Alan Gibson, some of which show in the attached pictures.  Still to be modelled are those shown in: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/517280707194092351/    Trouble is that kits from AG needed for these 2 pairs of junction signals are not being produced – priorities being elsewhere it seems.  The kit numbers are 4MM84 and 4MM90 (both listed at £20 in the AG online catalogue).  I’m also short of a LSWR bracket - 4MM66 (£3.30).  Has anyone by chance got – or would know where to get – unwanted purchases of these kits?  I would of course refund the list price and any other expenses.

              The extras to get the signals operating are already in place.  I’ve connected those already built using MSE’s “Retford” mounts (so can be easily removed for transportation).  GF Controls operate them and they are programmed into route setting using Big Bear software.  All this is also ready for the junction signals in readiness for the kits being located.

              The junction signals really are crucial to many key movements and are a frustrating omission when so much else is complete.  Many thanks in anticipation.

Tim.

P1000303m1cw.jpg

P1000320m1cw.jpg

P1000328m1cw.jpg

Stunning model, I can't help with the kits though I do have a spare 4MM66.

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Hello Tim,

I can help with the following:

4MM66 x 1  9ft brit.

4MM63 x 2  27ft lattice post. 

4MM64 x 3  23ft lattice post. 

4MM62 x 1  36ft lattice post. 

4MM84 x 1  SR brkt kit.

 

MSE do a taller lattice post at about 45ft as well as most of the parts you will need for that tall bracket signal in the photo.

 

If you want to buy any of the above please get I  touch by a personal message. 

 

Steve .

 

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