Can anyone tell me how to make a good turntable pit, or does anyone have a turntable pit for a 130' turntable? I am stumped, and scared to cut a hole in my layout until I know for sure I have everything I need to do this project. I have the workings from a 98' turntable I was gonna use to complete the rotation part with but if anyone would wanna swap a 130' pit for a complete Cornerstone 98' table kit I am up for it. If not, please, please, please, I could use some step by step tips to do this project. Thanks Will P. s. I am modeling HO scale.
Not everyone will agree with me, but, I would build the "pit" and lead tracks (four inches long minimum) as a complete unit seperate from the layout - say a 2'x2' square or round unit. You could even make it large enough to hold the roundhouse as well, however, then it sort of becomes hard for one person to manage. After you have it completed and indexed it to line up with the lead tracks - then mount it in place on the layout. This way you can remove it for maintenance if the need be. Use metal brackets to fasten it to the underside so you can adjust the height if needed, and the metal brackets will not shirnk or expand as wood might.
Will .... If you look closely at the two pictures of the turntable on my listing in "All Albums", you will see that on this table we made the turntable rails extend out to meet the lead tracks. If you look very close you will see that there is a very slight berm around the pit. This was a circular "drop in" as I was referring to in the previous post. The berm is to disguise the seam where the turntable joined the layout. All the lead tracks had a very slight grade to approach the berm which did not interfere with operation and was made to look as if it were planned that way. This table was geared and had a metal "ring and pin" method of lining up. It was 100% scratch built and worked beautifully. Operation was via toggle switch - left or right.
Look into woodworking regarding making bowls with wood layers. You might follow the ideas I have about how to cut a turntable pit to any size you need by layering rings the same size or squares with the same size hole cut in them followed by a bottom piece. The inner surface is what you need to be smooth. If you know someone with a wood lathe we're talking about approxmately one hour total work time. Just a few thoughts from another modeler who has picked up other hobbies just to support model railroading.
OK all here what I did! I measured my turntable which is 18 1/2 inches, measured that across the area where my turntable will be located, but added 1/4 of an inch. I measured 9 1/4 inches to find the center and used my homemade compass to draw my circle. Then I used my jigsaw, cut my hole and measured for depth. I found I was a little off but new just what to use to try and fix this. I put a piece of plywood on the bottom and screwed it on good and tight, made some homemade, concrete molds and placed em inside the now makeshift pit. Mixed up some woodland scenics smooth it because its real fine and looks like concrete when dry. poured it into the mold, waited for it to set up and then I removed the molds. Voualah! I now have a turntable pit that is just awesome and a true circle in every sense of the word. Now tomorrow, I will have to do some scratch modifications to the bridge for it to sit all the way down into the pit but I have checked everything out and if it all works like I planned, My turntable will be operational by the end of this weekend, just in time for the 4500 to come home and try it out!|-||-||-| Thanks for all you guys help and suggestions! I will post some pics tomorrow.
