Model Railway Forum

I am thinking of using the wire in the tube method to change points and frog polarity on my OO layout, what is the best tube to use, I already have the wire (thin brazing rods)?

If you are using brazing rods to actuate the points then I suppose anything will do as long as it is straight otherwise you might experience binding. If short lengths of rod then you may find brass tubes at your model shop to fit, but these are only about 13” long so joining lengths might cause issues with alignment. Model engineering suppliers can supply small diameter copper pipes but these will likely come in coils so careful straightening will be required. Depending on the circumstances you may not need a tube the full length if the wire is going under scenery or below baseboard as on an exhibition layout I have operated, in that case only guides at either end are required.

There is one model supplier who makes a flexible system but whose name escapes me at the moment but that is handy if you want all the control wires coming to one point so you can have a bank of operating levers.

If using your wires always include an omega loop this compensates for differences in point and operating lever movement.

Richard

Hi
Firstly welcome to the forum.

Re WiT point control Two manufacturers spring to my mind but I'm unsure if either are still in production?

GEM Mercontrol and Modratec are the two I know of.

Brian wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:24 pm Hi
Firstly welcome to the forum.

Re WiT point control Two manufacturers spring to my mind but I'm unsure if either are still in production?

GEM Mercontrol and Modratec are the two I know of.

Modratec were the one I was thinking about.

Richard

All sorts can be used. Bicycle spokes with bicycle outer casing... Bicycle inner wire... Many different methods. Experiment.

What I used was Net Curtin Wire, it’s cheep and comes in long lengths.
0.8mm Mig welding wire fits into the the Curtin wire nicely and makes for a very positive action.

Dave.

Have a look in a model aircraft shop, there used to be a product consisting of two plastic tubes one sliding inside the other, very robust and of course light.

fourtytwo wrote: ↑Tue Nov 16, 2021 8:41 am Have a look in a model aircraft shop, there used to be a product consisting of two plastic tubes one sliding inside the other, very robust and of course light.

Often known as snakes. The inner part is ribbed along its length to reduce friction.

Thank you all for. Your sugestions. I will look these up and see what suits me best.