Fast Tracks

I am going to try building some #8 slip switches using the Fast Tracks fixture. What are the ways to construct the point rail hinges? What has worked the best for you? If anyone has some closeup pics I sure would appreciate viewing them. Aside from the close tolerances and tedious work, what pitfalls do I want to avoid?

Thanks,
littletree

The center oblique moving points MUST be hinged. The FastTracks method of using spikes at the heal and the spikes soldered to the point end and twisting in a hole of a bare PC board for the throw bar works well.

For the long points at each end, I prefer to make the hinge by cutting through only the head and the base - leaving the center web to bend back and forth - keeps electrical connection - and with a thin web will flex just fine. I will usually use the same hinged point to throwbar method, but have also used a reinforced solder connection to the throw bar.

Special - be sure and bend the points in towards the center before soldering or connecting the throw bar - allowing the natural spring to hold the points away from the stock rails and making the throw bar force the closure to the stock bar. This will put much less strain on pulling the point rails away from the stock rail when thrown the 'other' way.

_________________
-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.