Hand thrown switch stands

Garden Railroading
1

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows where one might purchase hand thrown switch stands for LGB switches with their electric switches removed?

Making modules and would rather have hand thrown switches since wiring for electric switches is cumbersome.

Any ideas?
Thanks,

Steve

2

If you can find a decent closeup pic to work from, harp stands should be uber simple to build. The East Broad Top still uses them. Here is one (the thing with the red and white flag in a stick) to the right of the pic just beyond the speeder. (see http://www.ebtrr.com/pics/l-myers/2003spec_11.jpg for a larger version)

3

I make my own from brass strips and rods.

These are the parts I use.

Oh, I also use a penny for the top of the stand.

It ends up looking like this:

Or like this, when painted and installed.

4

Mine are crude compared to Bruce’s but they still work; need to build more for outdoors; think I’ll copy Bruce’s method

5

Hi guys,

Very nice switch stands! Everybody has those pennies laying around the house…so why not use them? I use the ones made by Hump Yard Purveyance. They are plastic, can be painted, and are a good size for “G”. Sorry no pics. There was an article on them in MR some time back. Hope that helps. Later eh…Brian.

6

For a quick throw, go to:

http://www.7-8ths.info/tricks.html

Click on “Ground Throws” lower right

7

While we’re on the subject of ground throws, does anyone know of a source for miniature deadbolt latches? These need to be the rotary kind like those used in cabinetry or on entryway doors, not the slide kind referenced by the link in Dave’s post. The knobs need to be no larger than 3/4" dia. There was an article in one of the early, early issues of GR about using these devices for ground throws, but I have yet to be able to find anything as small as the ones used. Later, K

8

Sorry can’t answer that, Kevin; but had more photos. Yesterday I built my 1st Gauge 1 turnout and got lazy and used a $1.98 latch from Lowe’s (brass):

It actually was a multigauge switch but changed my mind and filled in the spike holes with exterior wood filler. Keeping the 2 scales separate. Took about 3 hours to build.