I bought a turntable on ebay, it may be a mistake, but I am having trouble finding one that I can afford and that I can use on my S Guage layout.
This is advertised as a 19" semi-automatic turn table which will fit most of my locomotives, so I took a shot at it. I hope to be able to convert it to use with S gauge. Has anyone got one of these or have any experience with them? Anyone ever even heard of this brand, a quick internet search revealed nothing that I could find.
I pasted the eBay link below if anyone wants to take a look at it.
Bidding has ended so the complete description is no longer available, and the picture is very dark and difficult to see, but the seller says it has a 19 foot track, not 19 inch – and what scale is it supposed to be?
A Google search for Geiger Turntables shows only industrial type products used in a store or shop, or audio turntables, and nothing for model railroad use.
It will be interesting, indeed, to hear what you have bought.
If you click on the photo in the link you’ll get an enlarged view which shows that it is definitely a model railroad turntable. It shows a pan with a pit rail installed as well as the start of a turntable bridge.
I remember that these used to be advertised in MR. I think it may even have been reviewed one time.
This is just an observation, but you seem to have done what more than a few people on this forum do. You purchase something on e-bay sight unseen and with no knowledge of the product, THEN you ask members of the forum if you got a good deal; did I actually get what I think I got; what are the actual features of the product; will it work for my application; is this a good quality product; has anyone ever even heard of this product or the manufacturer? I seems to me that the order is reversed; I kinda like to know what I’m paying for before I put my money down.
Ray, you are correct I purchased the item based on the photos and description in the listing, and like any eBay purchase sometime they work out and sometimes they don’t. I have received the turntable & think I will be able to convert it to use on ny S layout. It is in brand new never used condition, and has a 19" bridge, which is big enough for most of my S locomotives.
My questions were aimed at HO folks who may have a Geiger turntable, in search of feedback on how the unit works out for them in an HO layout.
I hope to assemble a bridge deck this weekend, get some track layed down and give it a turn!
don’t know if you are still seeking feedback but here goes…
The Geiger 19" turntable is well constructed and simple in function.
The predetermined stops are either 7.5 degrees or 10 degrees depending on your version/ model.
The stops align in the clockwise direction only but are very consistent in my experience. Table turns in both directions and you can align manually going counterclockwise.
I used mine on an HO layout and turned 4-8-4s (would likely handle a Big Boy but I don’t have one).
I have recently dug it out of “mothballs” and will be converting to On30 for a club module. It should be plenty adequate to turn a K36.
I hope you found yours to be sufficient for your purposes.
I may modify mine to utilize a stepper motor and controller along with a DCC accessory decoder to bring it to current technology. (Or I may use it as is depending on how well it still functions after all these years.)
Conrad P. Geiger passed away several years ago, I don’t believe anyone has picked up the building of Turntable kits. I have one that I purchased on EBay however, it is missing some needed parts, the block that the turntable is built on is missing and /or a collet that fits over the motor shaft. It is hard to find a large HO turntable, the Walthers one is nice but rare (over 90 scale feet), I was missing the assembly directions but managed to get it from a Hobby Shop that was selling one on EBay, they graciously copied it and emailed it to me, I would love it if someone could send a picture of the drive Block and give me the dimentions, I can formulate one myself but to see the original would be priceless.
Wow, it has been a long time, and I forgot all about this post. I haven’t looked for any responses in along time, but go the email that you had posted to the thread.
I don’t have the turntable installed yet, as I just finally started the new layout in February. I did get the new platform built, and the turn table works. No detailing has been done, no railings or operator house etc. I think the table operates pretty well, but have only tested it on the bench.
I have attached a photo and a short video, please feel free to let me know what you think.
Wow. it’s quite noisy, the paperwork that was faxed to me was incomplete, can u email me a copy? Todd7034@gmail.com. I have mine installed but not working, the switch set is installed but I do not know where to hook up the wires, two blue ones go to the inner track in the pit, but except what was wired on the switches is done, just need to know polarity. One of the brass wheels on the gantry was missing, I had a friend turn me a new one.
The Walthers large turntable is nice, a bit pricy, and until just lately, hard to find. I have two SP Cab Forward. GS-4’s and a few other larger Loco’s is the reason I need a larger turntable.
Hi, I have stuff packed away while I build the new layout. I wish I had done it in a little more organized fashion, so it will take me a little while to find the paperwork.
I will take a look over the next few days and scan it for emailing.
George, my turntable was missing a few key parts, the one I need most is the block that the gantryway sits on (I know the gantry just floats and is not attached to the block). As I mentioned, I had a new brass wheel turned by a friend. I now have all the parts except the block. If you can’t locate the directions, try to sketch the wiring hook up if possible.