Under table actuater

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am using a bell crank assembly made by a company called GH products from Irving Texas that is no longer in business. The device lets you move the Atlas turn out motors to under the track. I wondering if there is anyone that sells older and discontinuned items likes this.

Blue skys

Lee

2

I’m not understanding exactly what the function of the device is. [%-)]

Off the top of my head I’d say eBay…I know that’s not the answer you were likely looking for…I’ll think on it some more.

Sure would like to know what the bell crank assembly does for you…? [:)]

3

Kevin

This thing is very ingenious, And I would post a picture of it but I havn’t figured out how yet.

I’ll try to explain it.

You drill a 3/32" hole down through the middle of the track about 1/2" from the slide bar drop a brass sleve in the hole, then drop the little brass rod with a hook on through that. on the bottom solder an arm on the rod and mount the Atlas motor upside down to the bottom of the table. The motor throws the botom arm which throws the top slide in the normal way. I was going to try to make them myself but there is a swedged or tapered piece that could be hard to work around.

Blue Skys

Lee

4

Here is the bellcrank I use… scratch built…works nice for my double crossover:

I think I posted earlier on how I made it. Real simple. Piece of brass, 3 holes and plastic support underneath. Oh, I forgot the bras screw :slight_smile: Hope this helps!

Brian

5

Ok. Now I get it. It sounds very interesting. When you say “Atlas motor” I assume you are talking about the standard twin coil switch machines that come with, or as an accessory to, an Atlas turnout? I am wondering why you wouldn’t just use Atlas under table switch machines instead of the linkage with the regular “surface mount” switch machine? It seems like it would be something that could be “re-invented” though.

If you want to post a picture you first have to find a photo hosting website to upload the picture to, there are a number of them but I don’t use them as I have webspace of my own. Once you have the photo on the web you can insert a link to the image in your post here. If you like, email me the picture and I’ll stick on my webspace and link to it for you.

junkstuff99@sasktel.net

6

Hi Brian, thanks for posting the picture. I understand the purpose of the “bell crank” changing the mechanical action so you can throw the double crossover turnouts accordingly but the linkage to the tortise is not exatly clear to me, (duh). Also what are the two black plastic “levers”?

Ok, I got it now.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/tortoise/off-center-mounting.htm

7

Shadow

That looks like some tortoise slow motor. I’m looking for a discontinued product that lets me move my Atlas slide motors to the underside of my table. I bought ten units and I would to buy more, but I may have to take the time to make them.

thanks for the reply.

Blue Skys

Lee

8

Blue Hills

I’m cheap and these “GH” products are only $2.50 apiece. I already have the Atlas machines.

I just thought someone might have seen the “GH” someplace.

Blue Skys

Lee

9

Lee, I would still like to see a picture of the GH Products actuator if you are willing and able. [:)]

I use Atlas turnouts and switch machines as well. Thanks.

I’m still searching for the GH actuator…so far no joy. [:(]

10

Blue Hills

I don’t see away to insert a file in the forum Email.

Lee

11

No as far as I know there is no way. You would have to email me directly from your email application or from an online email provider like google or mail.com if you use those. My email below.

junkstuff99@sasktel.net

12

You have to upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket and then copy/paste the [img] code to the forum.

All else fails, sell what you’ve got on E-bay and buy under table machines from Atlas. They’re only $5.

Edit-Have you looked at model plane control rods? The kind they move the elevators and rudder with?

13

Lee was referring to there being no way to attach an image to an email sent to me through the forum. I was under the impression that there was no way to do that. [:)]

14

Loathar

Good point. I know what control rods look like. Not only am I cheap but I may be a little lazy to. Actually you are probably right, it would be easyer to make, than to look for them. but, I enjoy comparing ideas on the forum. I do now have an account on Photo Bucket I’ll work on getting that figured out.

Blue Skys

Lee

15

Quick and dirty description of the linkage I use, adapted to the horizontal throw wire of an Atlas twin-coil machine:

  • Drill 1/8" hole 1/2" from the throwbar, in line with a hole (existing or to be drilled) that will accept a paperclip size wire. Line with brass tube, level with tie tops, 1/4" extension below bottom of subgrade.
  • Bend a straightened paper clip into an L shape, and engage the throwbar with the short end with the long end down the tube.
  • Bend the end of the paperclip in the direction best suited to positioning the Atlas machine end-on to the tube. Bend a small loop into the free end of the paperclip, bend the loop at a right angle to the switch machine throw wire.
  • Insert the Atlas machine throw wire into the loop and anchor it to the subgrade.

I don’t use Atlas machines, but the basic linkage can be adapted to connect to any kind of machine or manual throw device. As a bonus, you can’t beat the price! (When I ran out of expended brass ball pen cartridges, I had to buy brass tubing. A buck provided me with enough for six links. As for paper clips…)

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - inexpensively)

16

TomikawaaTT

As my grand kids would say “way cool” thats what I like about this forum, someone always has an idea.

Blue Skys

Lee

17

Wouldn’t a setup like this work for converting manual Fastrack switches to an automatic type?

18

You could always just buy one Atlas undertable switch machine, every time you get your allowance.[8D]

19

DOH! Guess I should have looked at the pic in your avitar![D)] (I’m an idiot!)