I was installing an ME LH#6 turnout and broke the throw bar. Question is does anyone have workable suggestions on how to repair the throwbar. I’m thinking of buying the fast tracks turnout PC board ties and soldering the pieces to correct the problem. I’m just not sure that without purchasing the specific turnout assembly jig that I could do it in guage. Any thoughts?
I have done exactly what you describe with a few of my ME turnouts.
You can do this…The gauge is pretty non-critical in this spot. A wide variety of distances will work here (get close, don’t go crazy). You will see what I mean once you actually start on the repair. If you have problems, you can easily re-solder to fix it. Throw bar PC strips are also alailable from Clover House…
I wouldn’t spend money on the fast tracks jig unless you plan to use it elsewhere on the layout.
Guy
You didn’t say what scale it is, but I think you could fasten the rails on the PC throw bar without a jig, template, or fixture. What you want to do is make the turnout immovable, the throw bar immovable, and the point rails immovable. You can do that by using straight pins. Just fasten it all down and solder it. You can use tooth picks between the stock rails and point rails on both sides. That should give you enough clearance for the flanges when the turnout is thrown in either direction. Use an NMRA track gauge to check you work and clearances. If you don’t have one, get one. You won’t regret it.
Try these. http://www.proto87.com/turnout-points-and-throwbars.html Not stiff like a soldered throw bar. I have also made my own bars from a piece of styrene and brass pin run into a hole drilled in the rail base. I did a PC board throw bar for the clubs yard lead. The most used turnout on the layout and it only lasted a couple months before the copper pealed off the fiberglass board.
Pete