I am trying to attach my CI ground throws to the turnout but the pin keeps popping out. Just looking for some thoughts on possible remedies. I thought about contact cement the only problem is that I will be adding undertable machines in the near future and don't want to mess up the turnout. Any thoughts would be great Ben
Did you mount them so the throw bar is horizontal to the tab on the turnout? Also, is your turnout glued down? If you got "rigid" throws, there's the rub..... it's likely too long a throw for your turnout and pushes its pin out when you hit the limit of travel on the switch's throw bar/points. I recommend getting a sprung caboose ground throw and trying that, making sure it's all level and solidly mounted. I installed like 12 of the sprung N Caboose ground throws recently, and have had no issues.... but it's code 80 Atlas track.
I noticed when I put them in my yard that at first they popped out. My yard track is laid right on the surface (No roadbed). 2 things I did: Shortened the pin. I know thats sounds odd...but...the longer pin was rubbing on the surface and sticking half way out of the throwbar ! This caused the pin to bend...and pop out! Made sure the ground throw was locked in the long end out position. Then slipped the pin in. I pushed the throw forwards till the point rail was snug against the opposite rail. I held the throw with a small screwdriver and operated it to make sure it was ok. Attached the throw to the layout. I am using a small dab of hot glue to hold em down. If I ever need to remove em...I slide a putty knife blade under the throw...and they come right off. BTW...I havent had ANY come loose during normal operation. .
I've actually been wondering about this myself. Does using glue/adhesive to attach the CI hand-throw to cork or foam hold it securely enough? Mike
Hot glue onto foam? Ya better let it cool and get tack first, then smoosh it on. It'll melt the foam at fresh-from-the-nozzle temps! But straight to cork? it's a dream come true! I tacked AND glued my switches! But yeah, the hot glue is splendid on its own, I'm just a little OCD haha.....
Ok, that's good to know. I have a project layout that I'm rehabbing and I'm to the point where I'm ready to tear out the old track/roadbed and put in new. The "terrain" is all pink foam and I wasn't quite sure how I could effectively attach hand throws to foam and/or cork. Mike
If you use roadbed...you will need to shim the CI throw with a small piece of the same cork...so its at the same height. If you attach the small piece of cork to the foam with something other then hot glue...you can still use hot glue on top of the cork piece to attach the throw :tb-wacky: JMO .
Attaching Cork Roadbed to Foam I use Elmer's "Tacky Glue" that comes in a squeeze bottle for all my cork to foam attachments. Works great, and if ever you need to move the cork it just peels up with the slip of a putty knife under the roadbed.
Well I took a few pics of the problems that I was having. I use a bonding glue that holds great and 2 small nails to hold the ground throw in place until the glue dries. The ground throw doesn't move during operation, just the pin pops out.
From what I see....you are using foam trackbed...like WS rolled foam....for the small piece under the Ground throws too. The foam is to 'pliable' and lets the throw lean. You may have better luck with a piece of cork roadbed or using a 1/8 inch piece of luan or paneling under the throw. It will give a firmer base. That pin is only about 1/8 long...doesnt take a lot of 'lean' to disengage it from the throwbar. JustMyOpinion of course. .
