Lever frame project

nygma

nygma

Registered
Hi All,

This is a project I have been working for some time. Progress is very slow due to various reasons. But at least there is something to show.
Since my work is related to computers, I want as little electrics on my garden railway as possible. Therefore I would rather control my points using conventional point rods. I started putting together some plans for point lever. This is how it looks on the computer:
315588_189807604434644_116238601791545_405215_960827535_n.jpg

This looks roughly like British point levers with locking pins and number place.
I got the parts cut from 1 mm thick mild steel and started soldering it together. This is how the basic frame looks like:
2011-12-04_12-01-50_169.jpg

And the levers. Locking pin is already in place, handle to lift the pin is yet to come:
2011-12-04_12-04-13_480.jpg

Levers fitted in the frame. It is only temporary, a curved cover plate still to be placed on top:
2011-12-04_12-08-24_257.jpg

Backside of the frame is open to allow access to the levers. Whole drilled in different positions for the rods to be fitted.
2011-12-04_12-09-28_906.jpg

The almost final frame again:
2011-12-04_12-10-23_298.jpg


So far it has taken a few months to get to this point. The actual planning was done in a few weeks, but getting the parts cut and soldering took a long time. Various parts started to rush due to the use of soldering fluid. Anyway, I am planning to have it galvanized and finally painting it.
 
Thats a seriously great piece of engineering. Brilliant!
 
I really like the carefully thought out design - especially the latch mechanism. Well done.
 
Thats marvellous, I would love to have my points & signals worked by rodding, I now have your example to follow:thumbup:
 
That looks like a solid piece of engineering indeed!

What are the dimensions?

It looks almost to be full size....
 
That looks great stuff again, Csongor.

I really must finish the bridge - other work has take priority this summer.

I see you're back home? Thought I hadn't seen you on for a while!

best regards

Neil
 
Hi

Great spot of model engineering cant wait to see pics of it in place and working.

Regards

Mark
 
The frame is 18x13x10 cm, lever is another 10 cm above the frame. Here is a photo with my hand for reference.
2011-12-04_16-59-32_304_KPT.jpg
 
Damn fine piece of miniature engineering, well done you
 
Yes, definitely a benchmark standard there.
 
Wow, that's an amazing piece of work! How were the parts cut?
Will you have to disassemble it to get it galvanized?
 
Very very nice! How are you going to work out the small throw needed for the point? The levers look to be quite long on the lower end which would perhaps overthrow the point?
I would have it powder coated rather than galvanized with paint on top. It's nice to see a project of the old school instead of digital even if you did cheat a bit drawing it up on the computer first!!!!
 
Ray Dunakin said:
Wow, that's an amazing piece of work! How were the parts cut?
Will you have to disassemble it to get it galvanized?
Click to expand...
I did the parts in AutoCAD which I gave to a laser cutting shop. I did this in Hungary, but I worked with LaserProcess in the UK. Size and material is not an issue for them
Well, I am hoping I can get is galvanized like this. But I will have to take it to a shop and ask them what is the best option. I don't know the constrains of the technology yet.
 
minimans said:
Very very nice! How are you going to work out the small throw needed for the point? The levers look to be quite long on the lower end which would perhaps overthrow the point?
I would have it powder coated rather than galvanized with paint on top. It's nice to see a project of the old school instead of digital even if you did cheat a bit drawing it up on the computer first!!!!
Click to expand...
I have not worked out the throw yet. There are quite a few holes closer and further apart from the pivot point. I was hoping that one of them would give me the correct throw. Also I can use a bell crank to reduce the movement at the point end. Also I have seen a few places where there is a spring like loop at the point end, that contracts or expands if the lever throw is more than what the point can move.
On the paint option, I think I have to ask someone knowledgeable on this. There are parts that will move close to each other, therefore the paint will eventually wear off. That's why I though galvanizing would protect those surfaces as well, once the paint wears off. Still I have to see.
 
nygma said:
minimans said:
Very very nice! How are you going to work out the small throw needed for the point? The levers look to be quite long on the lower end which would perhaps overthrow the point?
I would have it powder coated rather than galvanized with paint on top. It's nice to see a project of the old school instead of digital even if you did cheat a bit drawing it up on the computer first!!!!
Click to expand...
I have not worked out the throw yet. There are quite a few holes closer and further apart from the pivot point. I was hoping that one of them would give me the correct throw. Also I can use a bell crank to reduce the movement at the point end. Also I have seen a few places where there is a spring like loop at the point end, that contracts or expands if the lever throw is more than what the point can move.
On the paint option, I think I have to ask someone knowledgeable on this. There are parts that will move close to each other, therefore the paint will eventually wear off. That's why I though galvanizing would protect those surfaces as well, once the paint wears off. Still I have to see.
Click to expand...
For a wear resistant coating I think Cadmium plate is going to be your best option although expensive to do here in the USA it may be more cost effective "over their" and you can paint over it if you want to! Galvanized surfaces are a bugger to paint nicely.................Paul........
 
:thumbup:outstanding achevement!
 
hornbeam said:
very nice work!

would you be interested in selling a copy of the drawings?

Simon
Click to expand...
Let me get a working model and if needed fix the issue and we can talk about it afterwards.
 
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