Hi! What is the maximum recommended distance between the underside of a switch and the top of a Tortoise machine?
Circuitron doesn't actually mention a maximum distance from what I can find. The Tortoise comes with a wire suitable for a 1 inch or less roadbed/baseboard thickness. You can make a wire for greater thicknesses but my instructions don't put a limit on the thickness.
I've cut piano wire to my own lengths and gone much longer than the included wire.... several inches at times. Also have made complex linkages to get into tight spots.
It's only 3/4". but I've never went over a half before. Sounds like it should work, if I make the hole big enough. :w20z6q:
3/4" should be no problem at all. Like Keystonecrossings, I have made some complex linkages due to space limitations and have had no problems. I also used piano wire just a bit larger in diameter than the wire supplied with the Tortoise for a little less play in the wire. All mine run through a 5/8" plywood, then cork roadbed.
Tony: I've used a laminate of 1/2" OSB and 1/2" homasote with a 1/4 inch hole...usually no problems. I've sometimes had to ream the hole a little larger if the tortoise didn't get precisely positioned so the wire movement was totally unimpeded by the walls of the hole. I've been using sealing adhesive to stick the tortoises to the underside of the OSB. I've got a few that have been secured with adhesive alone (no screws) for about 4 years. But I also had 1 or 2 come unglued during the first week or so...I think because they had started to separate even before the adhesive had dried, so there wasn't a proper seal formed. For some (when it's easy to reach and drive the screws), after I'm sure it's where I need it, I've put some screws in to ensure the tortoise never comes unglued.
I learned the hard way that a modular way of building layouts is much better. At the museum we use L Girder bench work. The definition of L Girders is that you can't reach anything to work under the layout, usually followed by a loud bang as your head hits one of the forest of supports. To add insult to injury, 1.5" drywall screws were used to fasten two 3/4" boards together. In the English system this means that the wood is 1/8" narrower than 1.5", and a bit of screw point is hanging out, waiting to snag flesh! This time, all my layout will be made up of NTrak modules, although free flowing and sinuous instead of the standard boxes. Under the table means working with the module upside down on a proper table! Thanks to all for the great info!
