Blue Point Manual Turnout Switches

[ñiao]

I'm planning to use the Blue Point thingies on my layout.
http://www.newrailmodels.com/Products/Accessories/BluePoint/BluePoint.htm
While they have a pretty extensive manual on how to install them, there's still one question open: How big is the hole for the steelwire?

Does anyone know?

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Wow... now you can bend the iron almost like the prototype (well, you are throwing a rod to do it).  Thanks for mentioning these things... I may be looking into them myself by the time I get around to doing more with a layout.

[CVSNE]

Manufacturer recommended 1/4" as a workable number - the thickness of your roadbed and subroadbed will effect this however.  I'm using N scale cork on two layers of 3/4" foam board with 1/4" plywood "base" - the 1/4" hole seems a little large but also gives enough "wiggle room" to make sure the throwing arm is enough to move the points. 

[ñiao]

Thanks. 1/4" seems reasonable.
I'll have a thinner benchwork: just 1/4" Wood plus W/S Roadbed.

[asciibaron]

from the Blue Point website:

Comparison With The TORTOISE™ Slow Motion Switch Machine

We've had a number of people ask about the price of a TORTOISE™ Slow Motion Switch Machine compared with our Blue Points™, so here is a quick comparison:

Description                        Blue Point™   TORTOISE™
Retail Single Packs             $12.95       $18.95
Retail bulk pack (per unit)    $9.99           $17.50

huh???
this makes no sense to me - one is manual and the other uses electromotive force - apples and oranges - i would hope a device that uses a motor costs more than a chunk of plastic and a toggle switch  ???

-steve

[Allentown Hump]

Yea, I was thinking about using these things on my next layout, but I'm having a hard time justifying the cost. Might just stick to slide switches...

[pedro]

huh???
this makes no sense to me - one is manual and the other uses electromotive force - apples and oranges - i would hope a device that uses a motor costs more than a chunk of plastic and a toggle switch  ???

-steve

I think this is referring to the fact that many people criticize the Blue Point for being too expensive. As in, "They're just as expensive as a Tortoise" They're just trying to illustrate the fact that they are somewhat cheaper.

I'm using them on my branchline w/ 3/4" plywood base. The 1/4" hole is plenty big enough. For throw rods, check your R/C airplane department; Du-Bro makes 12" throw rods that come with a snap lock pre-attached that works great for a shelf layout. If that's not long enough you can source all the rods and linkages you would ever need for cheap from the R/C department.

I think they're great, but many people prefer to DIY-it since the Blue Point is just a slide switch imbedded in a plastic case. I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them or use them again. I've even managed to put deep compound bends in the 12" throw rods to offset the position where the throw rod comes out of the facia. It doesn't have to be in a straight line from the blue point.

Pete

[Denver Road Doug]

I'm guessing these are attractive to large clubs that want a commercially available, warrantied, low(er) maintenance solution that allows for powering the frogs.  Assuming they are durable, they probably would be almost worth the price, but I still think they are too expensive for what they do.

I was intrigued but I need something that can allow the turnout to be thrown from above.  I have never liked the cable-to-front-panel idea.  (just personal preference, not saying it isn't tried and true)

Comparing themselves to Tortoise (which are "premium priced" albeit for a high quality product) doesn't help their case, in my opinion.

Doug

[wm3798]

I'm fat.  Stuff on the fascia gets hung up in my belt loops... :-\
I'm also too damn cheap.  I'd rather use a 39 cent slide switch, or when required, go the extra few bucks and get a tortoise... right tools for the job and all that.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow, tortoises are $20 now? Wow.

[ñiao]

I was thinking of the slide switches before.
My problem is that I'm living on an island in the middle of nowhere, so I'd have to find a source for the switches and connecting wires. The only things that are readily available here are Spam and Budweiser  :


 

[wm3798]

You can do a lot of things with Spam...
Wasn't Jerry dumping his Tortoises for like $15 at the show?
Lee

[asciibaron]

Wow, tortoises are $20 now? Wow.

um, no.  i bought a 12 pack for less than $15 each...

-steve

[inkaneer]

How about a slow motion screw operated turnout motor with extra contacts for signals and/or powering the frog for about $8.00 each?

[SD452XR]

Wow, tortoises are $20 now? Wow.

um, no.  i bought a 12 pack for less than $15 each...

-steve

I buy mine from NHSHobbies for 144.00 for a 12 pack of tortoises. Cheapest price I have been able to find.
Steve