gormo Posted July 30, 2012 Author Share Posted July 30, 2012 Evenin` All I have just put a PDF together with assembly instructions for a single lever frame for your information.........................Cheers Gormo Single Lever Assembly.pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 2, 2012 Author Share Posted August 2, 2012 G`day Folks, Another infernal update from that that bloke down under...........My point levers arrived today from my laser cut specialist. They are exactly as drawn and conform to all specifications I supplied them with........all in all........very good!!!! The process, however, leaves a sharp edge on the product, so some finishing is required by me. I expected that so it`s not really a problem, as I have to countersink one hole any way.......so .....no big deal. I have taken some photos, but this site is giving me some probs today and it is not allowing me to upload. Instead I have added them to my photo albums on google. If any one wishes to have a look just click the link below and I hope that works. I will try later on today to upload directly to this topic..........Cheers for now.........Gormo Link:- https://plus.google....960616996326353 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 G`day Folks The system seems to be running a bit quicker tonight so I will finish off what I was trying to get to above. As I said above, the levers have arrived and all is good. Consequently, during the next week I hope to build a 10 or more lever frame complete with its wooden housing, painted ( colour coded levers ) and rocker arms on the back. This will be to suit my layout. To combat the reluctance to commit myself to a specific size frame, I have convinced myself that I can change it at any time because the only non re-useable part will be the housing.............a small price to pay for a change of plan. So......there you go !!!......that`s where we are at..........onwards and upwards..........and of course I will update on my progress as it happens and accompany same with suitable pics............Cheers for now............Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 9, 2012 Author Share Posted August 9, 2012 G`day Cobbers No significant things to report yet...........sorry.........it`s been a full on week thus far. One thing that has happened however, which was a bit of a concern, was an availability issue with one of the parts I intended to use. I went out a few days ago to purchase some of the vital bits and pieces for my lever, as shown above in post # 154, and to my disappointment, the 7mm cable clips I intended to use were now only available in packs of 20 as opposed to packs of 200, which I had purchased previously. When purchased in 200`s they work out to 2.5 cents $Aust. each but when purchased as a pack of 20 they work out to 10 cents $ Aust. each. We are not talking vast amounts of money here........but the principle behind charging 4 times as much cheeses me off. Maybe that was a good thing to happen..........because I came home and simplified the blessed thing and I feel I have improved it as well. I have dispensed with the cable clip and instead of using it to support the CBI, I have driiled and tapped a hole into the side of the CBI and secured it to the lever with a screw. This method is more versatile, more compact and uses the least parts. There are no issues with clearances.......so all in all.......a good result..........we`ll see how it pans out. I have loaded some photographs to show what I am talking about. The first two pics show a much more compact design. The third pic shows the CBI rotated The next three show close up views Well that`s it folks.........we`ll see how we go with this solution.......Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted August 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 9, 2012 Just come accross this thread, have to find time to read it through. Many thanks, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mucky Duck Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 I shall not be using point motors on my small layout so, for me this is a very useful thread with some interesting ideas. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Brian That looks so much better. I thought you were trying to make it more complicated than it needed to be, but thought I had missed something as usual in the route you were taking. And it will be stronger being all metal. Super job !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 11, 2012 Author Share Posted August 11, 2012 Brian That looks so much better. I thought you were trying to make it more complicated than it needed to be, but thought I had missed something as usual in the route you were taking. And it will be stronger being all metal. Super job !! Hi John And Thanks I can understand your thoughts about over complicating the lever. The logic behind it, was to be able to put something robust and effective together without too much modification of parts. I wanted to be able to present something to Joe Average ( who does not have a lot of fancy tools) that could be put together with parts off the shelf. On reflection, I guess that has been achieved here.........there is enough info donated in this topic by the contributors, for Joe to be able to go off and do his thing without it costing the Earth...........so I guess.......mission accomplished. For me John.......this thing has been rebuilt in my head so many times...........because of trying to reach all the criteria I set myself.......and the event the other day with the cable clip was a blessing.........because I reached the.... " that`s it ".....point and returned to a simpler solution for myself........Ahhhh!!!!.......peace at last !!!!................Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Brian For Joe public why not use one of the screws of rge brass connector to attach to the lever the other being used to connect to the operating rod. You seemed to have achieved your goal though in a simple design and the use (except the lever) of ready available parts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRealistic Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Joe Public happens to be my middle name (!!), which is why I searched high and low for a 'readily available' lever and ended up with the flossing stick/handle... and I have to say I've called a halt to testing the thing as it just goes on and on without any sign of 'fatigue'. As it's connected to a free-running snake (post 146) it hardly has to do anything remotely strenuous... and the snakes themselves are 'Joe Public-friendly', avoiding the use of cranks and things. I certainly have you to thank, Brian, for opening my eyes to the potential of choc blocks... and I can't remember who put me on to snakes... and plastic TOUs (post 121) ... but so grateful for all the input. I knocked out another 6 of the latter over an afternoon last week, so now have eleven, and plenty enough to make a start on the 'shed and sidings' of my 'ultimate layout'! And to sort the polarity issues, I'm going for those frog-juicer thingies... which may cost a bit (under a tenner per point) but they are so, so, so Joe public-friendly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Brian For Joe public why not use one of the screws of rge brass connector to attach to the lever the other being used to connect to the operating rod. You seemed to have achieved your goal though in a simple design and the use (except the lever) of ready available parts Hi John I tried the brass screw in a slightly different configuration some time back and I was not happy with the small head size. The black screw head gives a bigger surface area of contact and consequently a more firm hold on the fitting. The lever has gone leaps ahead by using laser cutting and the cost has increased of course, however if our friend Joe still wants to have a go......he can use 10mm x 3mm Aluminium Flat Bar.....simply cut it to length.........drill two holes.......and he`s there.......it will be a rectangular lever but it will work just as well as the laser cut Mickey Mouse Gormo version...... Thanks again for the input John...............Cheers Brian ( Gormo) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Joe Public happens to be my middle name (!!), which is why I searched high and low for a 'readily available' lever and ended up with the flossing stick/handle... and I have to say I've called a halt to testing the thing as it just goes on and on without any sign of 'fatigue'. As it's connected to a free-running snake (post 146) it hardly has to do anything remotely strenuous... and the snakes themselves are 'Joe Public-friendly', avoiding the use of cranks and things. I certainly have you to thank, Brian, for opening my eyes to the potential of choc blocks... and I can't remember who put me on to snakes... and plastic TOUs (post 121) ... but so grateful for all the input. I knocked out another 6 of the latter over an afternoon last week, so now have eleven, and plenty enough to make a start on the 'shed and sidings' of my 'ultimate layout'! And to sort the polarity issues, I'm going for those frog-juicer thingies... which may cost a bit (under a tenner per point) but they are so, so, so Joe public-friendly! G`day Joe....errrr????...Alan I am glad those flossing sticks are working out........it sounds like you`ve given them a good working over and they have come up trumps.........Brilliant !!!!! I am also glad to have been of assistance to you........if you lived a bit closer .....I`d let you shout me a beer!!!!!!....Well I am an Aussie you know. The frog juicer sounds good but I am not at all familiar with them.........so I`ll take your word on that one. I might have to look into something like that for my layout. This afternoon I managed to cut and drill ten rocker arms for this frame I have proposed to build ......so it`s coming along but slower than expected.......so stay tuned for that one...........keep up the good work Alan. Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 13, 2012 Author Share Posted August 13, 2012 G`day Folks, Well I managed to get going today and get some results, although not finished yet, you can see what a frame will look like. First of all, parts had to be altered and some manufactured.........so we start with the Rocker Arms.....made from 10mm x 3mm Aluminium Flat Bar...which will go on the back of the frame They are then fitted with CBI`s and washers Next the levers are finished off and given their appropriate fittings Now we can start to put a frame together ( I wish it happened this quick in the shed !! ). A calculation for the length of Rod required is done and the Rod cut to length. Start from one end ,locking down the bracket and hold the lot in the vice. The levers are added one by one and tension on them adjusted as they are fitted. The observant amongst you would have noticed a bottle of Loctite in a pic above. I am using it as a bit of insurance. I don`t want anything moving or slipping and I don`t want to have to take the frame apart on a regular basis........Therefore " Loctite " A completed frame Then onto the Rocker Arm frame which is the same process as the Lever Frame.......same washers, brackets , rod etc...... The whole lot is then housed in a timber box. I have chosen 90mm x 20mm Radiata Pine....it`s the cheapest in Oz. The box will have a removable front to allow access to the Levers from above. The removable front will also have the combing attached to it. The next pic shows parts laid out ready for positioning of the frame Screw holes pre-drilled and countersunk where necessary The next shows the lot coming together I still have to fit some Aluminium angle to the back board. This acts as a stopper for the Levers going forward and also as a rest for the combing. Further Aluminium angle will be sat on top of the removable timber at the front of the box. The combing will be attached to this part. Obviously the box needs some dressing up and finishing .......but I`m getting there. More to follow.......hopefully tomorrow............Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 14, 2012 Author Share Posted August 14, 2012 G`day Folks, I managed to get in an afternoon`s work in the shed and I have moved on a bit from yesterdays update. But first a couple of pics I took last night........they give some better views of this thingamajig. We now move onto today, where the first thing to tackle was the Aluminium angle support for the combing.......and this is to be placed on the back board above the lever bracket. A section had to be taken out of each side for it to fit properly. I also needed to create a spacer for the support so that the levers would be vertical at their end stop in the forward position. The next piece of the jigsaw was the Aluminium angle for the front piece of timber. The combing will be glued to this. Cutting the combing pieces came next and some trial fitting Note the temporary spacers at the back to give me something to line up the combing Next the combing was Super glued in place but only on the front piece. This allows the combing to be removed easily because it is all attached to the front timber. Finally it`s finished..........there is still sanding and finishing and detailing to be done......but in essence this is it. I should point out too that this frame is intended to be mounted below the baseboard........hence the Rocker Arms Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRealistic Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 Blimey Gormo, that's a work of art!! I did wonder what those rocker arms were for... and now the fog has cleared. A joy to watch it all 'come together'. Your ancestors must have come from Birmingham! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 14, 2012 Author Share Posted August 14, 2012 Blimey Gormo, that's a work of art!! I did wonder what those rocker arms were for... and now the fog has cleared. A joy to watch it all 'come together'. Your ancestors must have come from Birmingham! Hi Alan, Thanks for that......I am happy with the way it`s going. I suppose through the course of this topic the focus has been on levers and mechanisms for the point.......and of course...choc blocks. It was always my intention to mount my levers below the base board but I don`t think I`ve actually made that very clear in earlier posts. Doesn`t matter anyway .......that`s my preference.......I want to avoid projections from the base board edge as much as possible...........obviously control panels etc. must stick out a bit.....but you`ve gotta live with that!!!!. The levers don`t require Rocker Arms if they are mounted in a more conventional way eg. ..the edge of the base board or whatever is appropriate for the builder. So......there you go..........at last you can see what all the waffle has been about. I intend to round the edges of the front piece of timber and to stain and varnish........or possibly French Polish the box. Varnish would be more durable. The combing will be Black. The levers will be painted from the combing upwards but leaving maybe the top 15mm as it is....Aluminium. I need to work out the colour coding.....but it will be a combination of red, white and light blue . Also I need to number the levers...........so .........minor things to sort out...........the hard part is done. My ancestors were Essex boys...........they emmigrated to Australia in the mid 1800`s...........I guess it was the promised land then. In Australia.......a few of them worked for the railways..........see!!!!!........it`s in the blood Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 G`day Folks, More progress today.......but not massive. First though, I thought you folks might like to see the frame work......even though it`s only being held by hand on a table top........you`ll get the idea.!! In addition to the video are some pics of attempts at detailing from today. The first pic shows yesterdays` efforts taken apart. The combing is quite fragile , so has to be handled carefully. Once it is in place in the frame, it`s fine. The combing after spraying.........it seemed a shame to hide all that shining Aluminium. The first coat of varnish on the timber box.......tomorrow it will be rubbed back and a second coat applied.......and, if necessary, a third will follow I have worked out the colour coding.........3 Red, 3Blue, 4 White........so far just the Red applied. I chose to use artists` acrylics and it is brushed on. I wanted that hand painted look of a real lever. So.......there you are me Hartees!!! ( He says in his best Cornish accent )......still more to do, but the end of the tunnel looms. Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campaman Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Wow, stunning, that is really so nice. Well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Wow, stunning, that is really so nice. Well done. Hi Campaman............Thanks very much.......I am glad you like it..........it`s nearly finished.............another day or two will see it done. The levers are painted now and the combing is numbered. The box has had two coats of varnish/stain and will probably go to three.............some pics below show progress. Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 G`day Ladies & Gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that my point lever frame has just emerged from the shed........................ " Finished ".........of course there are pics to follow........so lets do that first. I have gone for the " old but cared for " look with the timber box. This is something I took a fancy to in a French Polishing course years ago. It means you take the high gloss shine off the varnish with a fine grade steel wool. The finish should then look quite dull. Then you rub in Beeswax and buff that off for more of a Satin finish. Any way that`s the way I prefer it to look......others may disagree....oh well????. The numbering and labels were done with one of the new generation Dymo label machines. The label tape is one of the metal look types that they have. The combing was sprayed Matt Black with an Air Brush and the Levers were hand painted with Artist acrylic paints. The Blue colour had to be mixed. This has been a long journey.........but worthwhile I feel.......a learning process all the way, with lots of input from other people along the way........which is much appreciated. So folks.......I now have to decide on what`s next..........there are many things I have to do and many things I want to do........it`s just a matter of priorities. Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Really nice job there, Brian. My layout is in the garage next to our freezer. With the current hot weather the children were frequent visitors sourcing ice lollies. Didn't take too long before it occurred to me that perhaps the sticks might be of use as a substitute for the metal levers you have made? I'm not hot on metal work so I'm going to try these household items as a means of making my levers. For your next project could we all come up with a simple way of controlling semaphore signals along similar lines to the manual point control? All the best, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Really nice job there, Brian. My layout is in the garage next to our freezer. With the current hot weather the children were frequent visitors sourcing ice lollies. Didn't take too long before it occurred to me that perhaps the sticks might be of use as a substitute for the metal levers you have made? I'm not hot on metal work so I'm going to try these household items as a means of making my levers. For your next project could we all come up with a simple way of controlling semaphore signals along similar lines to the manual point control? All the best, Andy Thanks very much Andy, The sticks idea may work.???????.........but I would respectfully suggest you have a look at post # 146 by Alan, where he has used flossing sticks with great success and little cost. They are a good shape and I would imagine easily drilled. The other advantage they have over the sticks is that they won`t break if given the small child test......( correct me if I`m wrong Alan ). Alan has also employed snakes as his cables, which offer very little resistance, and therefore would be an ideal choice I would think, even if you use the sticks. The signals........Ahhh!!!!....the signals have already crossed my mind.......but only in that,they would work quite easily with the systems covered in this topic. I have not applied myself to this problem yet, but I would imagine a miniature version of my rocker arm rack, where the rocker arms are replaced by small right angled bell cranks, would do the trick. I guess you could have one bell crank per semaphor. By the way, this is not my idea......I`m sure it`s in Cyril Freezers book on point and signal control.......so if you can get hold of the book.......it could be usefull........ Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Thanks, Brian, I hadn't managed to find any of the flossing sticks as yet that Alan advocates. Just happened to spot the lolly sticks disappearing in to the bin and intervened! The "FAB" type has some nice curves on it. I'd be happy to trial any other ice creams suggested. I've made the assumption that as they are intended to go in people's mouths and may be bitten that they would withstand some wear and tear. We could always stick two together to strengthen. I'll leave the signals with you - my layout is progressing but some way away from fitting those critters, as yet. All the best, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRealistic Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 That's some finale Gormo, absolutely brilliant, and I, for one, have been enthralled by the journey! I suspect you feel like an Olympic gold medal winner... what next???!!! Something 'above baseboard' maybe?! Those flossers are made by Wisdom, Andy. Called 'Clean Between Flossers'. They say they're 'long lasting' as flossers, but I reckon that applies to their use as levers as well! Indestructable is more the word, and easy to drill and cut, although they're more or less 'ready-made'. Just read the pack (of 30) and it says "Designed not to shred, snap or sag", so what more could one ask??!! I very nearly went down the lolly stick route, thinking maybe I could stick on washers to protect the holes, believing these could be the 'trouble spots'... but then I cleaned my teeth and had other ideas! Can't wait for Gormo's next thread!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gormo Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Hi Alan, It`s been nice to have you along for the ride.........I feel a sense of achievement, which is really good. I don`t know what`s next......I`ll have to take stock and work that out. I have to build another three of these boxes for a start..........but I guess the obvious thing is to concentrate on getting some trains running instead of getting side tracked onto another project. I have changed my layout plan so many times that my wife reckons I am on plan #1,999,999........or there abouts.........she often says " just build it ". What can I say.......she`s right.! At least when I go out to the shed to build it.....she can`t complain.......I`m only doing what she told me to do.?????? I must admit though.......Andy has got me thinking about those signals...................hhmmmmmm?????????????? Cheers Gormo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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