Tortoise mounting question

[ianacole]

In the instructions for mounting the tortoise switch machines and hooking them up to the turnouts, it references using the included wire for layouts up to 1" thick, and drilling a hole 1/4" in diameter. Since I will have 2" of foam, 1/4" of table surface, and 5mm of foam, I need to supply my own wire, no problem there. My question is about the size of the hole I need to drill. Will a 1/4" hole still be sufficient for the amount of throw needed, or do I need to increase the size?

 

[UP2CSX]

A 1/4" hole should still be OK, but you'll have to do your own test once it's drilled. If you don't have enough clearance for throws, just drill a slightly larger hole. It's easy to drill one larger, but tough to make a large one smaller.

 

[ianacole]

True. Good point. Thanks!

 

[fire5506]

I would also go with a thicker gauge throw wire. You can buy thicker piano wire at your local hobby shop. a thicker wire won't have as much bend for the length of it.

Richard looking at MP 242 while working for the FEC Rwy.

 

[hamltnblue]

I would also go with a thicker gauge throw wire. You can buy thicker piano wire at your local hobby shop. a thicker wire won't have as much bend for the length of it.

Richard looking at MP 242 while working for the FEC Rwy.

I Agree with the thicker wire. The torti comes with .025 wire. moving to .039 will work much better. You'll have to make the hole a little larger in the torti to take the larger wire as well.

 

[ianacole]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm heading to my LHS tomorrow...I'll look for the .039 wire.