I’m toying with the idea of building a small module to tinker with. Specifically, an HO diesel servicing area. Maybe 2x4 or so.
I got it in my head that a transfer table might fit the space a bit better than a turntable. And visually fit what I’m looking for a little better. Theres the rub through. Walthers offering would constitute something around 60% or more of the project. Plus I heard they have some issues. Immediately I considered scratchbuilding one.
Which is its own problem.
A cursory search of the index revealed that MR has published a scant few articles about transfer tables. The same goes for the other mags. The majority of those articles are actually reviews or articles concerning the Walthers table.
All the way back in March and April 1959(!), there was a two parter about building one. This seems to be the only way to go. Well there’s also a 1953 article in RMC. I haven’t picked up the DVD set yet, so I don’t have access to that issue myself. Yet.
I though before going through and seeing if I can get ahold of a copy of the article from the usual sources, maybe someone could do me a reasonable and not copyright violating favor: could someone with the DVD look up the articles in question and see if the plans are still viable? I’m assuming the materials and electronics are going to be different than what we’d use now, but I’m curious if it relies heavily on components I cannot acquire or fabricate.
I don’t have the DVD, but I recall the article. The big trick is powering the table. I think they used a double worm reduction and motor placed on the table. I expect all those components are unavailable now, but we have even better–smaller motors and NWSL gearing.
If I also recall correctly, there are no electronics involved. Unless you count the typical reverse switch and power supply. Perhaps there was an indexing system in the article. If there was, i’ve blanked on it. And, if I were building one (especially on a 2 x 4 layout), I wouldn’t bother with indexing–the real ones don’t have one; and it would be part of the operation–just like running a locomotive.
If I were to do a transfer table, my big decision would be whether I wanted the motor on the table and accepting the “box” that would hide it, or to figure out how to get the table to move with the motor being on the “ground”. The latter would be superior IF one could make the mechanical connection to the table invisible. And I haven’t figured that one out. But then, I’m not planning on building a transfer table, so I’m not inspired.
If you’re rolling your own, you can build it your way instead of strictly copying another’s. It sounds like fun, especially if one is limited to a 2 x 4 space.
Building a transfer table should be relatively easy - basically, it’s a motorised bridge with a lot of wheels. With the small can motors now available, along with reduction gearboxes, the mechanism should be do-able within the table itself. You might want to look at NWSL’s Stanton Drive. For this, I’d remove the wheels from one axle, and replace the other axle with one long enough to span the length of your table. Leave the original wheels in place on this one, then add larger diameter ones outboard of the originals (to clear the gear housing), plus however many additional wheels are required for support. The drive unit should be fixed in place so that it can’t rotate like a regular truck. The wheels on the other side of the table don’t need to be powered, although I would use all wheels for power pick-up. As was mentioned, skip the indexing feature - the real ones didn’t use one, either.
To power the rails on the bridge, I’d use some of the guide rails and wheels. A pair of simple ON/OFF/ON switches could run the table and the rails on it.
For the base or pit bottom, I would use a piece of 3/4 inch birch plywood, furniture grade. I would probably make it 3 to 6 inches (or more) larger in each direction.
This is very close to what I was picturing in my head. I mean, when you get down to it, the table is really a locomotive with its trucks rotated 90 degrees and a bridge-like hull for a body.
take your transfer bridge and let it slide on non powered trucks. then take some all threaded rod. and run it thru the center 90 degrees to the bridge. with hex nuts on both sides of the bridge. make them so they dont spin. couple a motor to the all thread with a decoder to run it. worm drive, might have to experiment with motors, decoders and maybe a gear reduction if it runs to fast. the opposite end of the threaded rod could have a bearing, bushing to spin in.