I’ve decided to build my Heljan #804 90’ turntable, instead of buying Walther’s DCC version of this kit. I just can’t afford the DCC unit and that includes an .80 cent exchange between the Canadian & US dollar.
Two things I ask for.
Does anyone have the template used to cut the mounting hole?
Can you send me articles where the turntable was mechanized by a source from outside the model railroaders realm?
I thank you in advance.
just get its motorizing kit, you don’t need its expensive controller, you could power it with a dcc stationary motor controller, don’t worry about programmable steps, real turntables never had this. Align it by eye all the time.
I built a motorized turntable with robot gears from Radio shack robot and a Switchmaster switch machine. The gears gave a good reduction in motor speed. I used a piece of small PVC pipe for the shaft, 2 copper pipe threads for power with brass wipers connected to the turntable track. The pipe threads fit well, cant remember if they were 1/2 inch in size. Had trouble with Heljan turntable warping. Now have Walthers and it is worth the cost.
That turntable has thin pit walls resulting in a pit that is imperfect and a bridge that binds. Better off with Pecos offering or save your pennies and get the better Walthers built up.
the turntable is simply a radius hole you cut out the correct size, no template needed, use the turntable itself to help draw the circle if possible, or cut some paper its mounting size and use that to template to your mounting hole.