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April 2025 Servo #3 a Micro servo or mini servo. Now the servo is mounted under the turnouts on a separate plate that screws into the turnout with M1.4 4mm screws. Same basic Arduino code, but the numbers need to be tweaked for the individual turnouts now. Tie beds and Servo mounts added - Labeled Micro Also a larger Medium servo mount which fits the same as the micro for a slightly larger servo. Both servos and M1.4 screws are listed from Aliexpress below. Just hand bending the throw arms now.
Feb 2025 Added right and left linear servo tie beds with more space between the servo and the rails. My deep heavy load flatbeds hit the other servos.
Jan 2025 Added a linear servo using an Arduino to the turnout system. These are the linear servos I'm using: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007224575323.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.51b66d765UVca9&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld
The Arduino code is included as well. "pause_setup_double_linear_stepper"
moves the servo midway for 5 seconds and then works normally. I use this to attach the throw arms. Turn on power, the servos move part way - turn off power and install the throw arm. While the "working_Linear_Servo" is the same without the pause command and is used normally.
Added Servo Throw Arms. I use a 18AWG solid core wire to make the servo throw arms between the linear servo and the turnout throw arm. I made a five step bending jig to make the shape consistently, quickly and fun! There are five right and five left Servo Throw Arm parts. Use them in order 1 to 5. The linear servos come in both left and right hand version. I've used both kinds to make the parts fit my layout. https://youtube.com/shorts/eJ6IKzVRnO4
I started my N Scale layout journey during Covid lockdown using FastTrack jigs. I think they are a fine company and I still use various tools from them as well as rail and PCB ties. I also made my own 3D printed jigs for curves and turnouts to fit my tiny layout. Recently I started to make an expansion and needed some more #4 Turnouts so grabbed my FastTracks jig. But after so many tracks made with 3D printed jigs I found the aluminum jig was too much of a heat sink. Since I already had made my own #4 Tiebed the turnout was mostly done already, I just needed to make a jig.
This is my N Scale Turnout Building System. I made tools for each of the annoying tasks like cutting and gapping the PCB ties, filing the frog, point and stock rails etc...
The tools included are: Starting with the Rail Cutter to quickly cut the eight pieces of rail to length. Tie Cutter and Gapper to cut and gap the PCB ties. Frog and Point Block to file both sets of rails at once as well as the Stock Rail Block for each stock rail. The Frog Tool to solder the Frog and to bend the Guard Rails. Last is the #4 Turnout Jig plus the Sm Md Lg Clamp Blocks which are in 0, +1 and +2mm heights - marked with one line for the 1mm and two lines for the 2mm heights. Both Flat and Rails which has grooves to sit on the rails. Sm, Md & Lg Clamps for the three steps on the Jig - Sm are the same size use n my Straight and Curved Jigs. To help cut the Frog isolation using a Jewelers Saw I use a V shaped notched guide and sacrificial pieces of printed materiel to help the cut. Printed Tiebeds for both Left and Right are included with wire holes under the rails and frog. Both with and without the mounting for the linear servos.
The whole build process was about two hours since I am in no rush. The time lapsed version with my explanation is available here: https://youtu.be/Smt8NM9NMZo
The full length ASMR version of the build is here: https://youtu.be/dP98fwTCIPY
Here are the tools and where I bought them from:
Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools:
Set of 12 needle files https://www.fine-tools.com/feile4.html (the triangle file)
Saw blades: https://www.fine-tools.com/blitz-tornado-finis.html
Saw Handle: https://www.fine-tools.com/grobet-laubsaege.html
FastTracks:
Big File: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/tl-0007/?v=796834e7a283
PCB Ties: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/ch-n-c/?v=796834e7a283
Code 55 Rails: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/17-055/?v=796834e7a283
Rail ers: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/26-055/?v=796834e7a283
3 Point Track Alignment Tool: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/tri-n-s-me55/?v=796834e7a283
Pliobond Adhesive: https://handlaidtrack.com/product/sp-0001/?v=796834e7a283
Found the solder here: https://installatiegereedschap.nl/product/stannol-soldeertin-hs10-2510-sn60pb40-07mm-100g-519242/
Linear Servos (Right only) https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006948566795.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.38.219779d2aKkHeB&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld
Linear Servos: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007224575323.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.3.51b66d765UVca9&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld
Micro Servos: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005196721833.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.51.2faa79d2BC6xhB&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld The 2G version.
Medium servo:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32680024453.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.98.2faa79d2BC6xhB&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld
M1.4 4mm screws:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005003255909759.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.103.2faa79d2BC6xhB&gatewayAdapt=glo2nld
Enjoy! Love to see a make of your tracks.
Let me know what track you would want to have jigs for!
Started making HO jigs as well, so if you want a specific radius or turnout in HO or N let me know. No guarantee, but I do like to be inspired to design!