Like a lot of you, I'm addicted to pretty little fiddly bits. Unfortunately, I can't always afford what I need, or happen to have any of a single item left when I need it. Today was one of those.
I didn't have any of these -
But I did have these -
A loop coupler minus the hook (probably LGB) plus some 2 mm Plastruct square stock and a bit of plastic strip.
Step 1: using a razor saw remove everything from the loop that doesn't resemble a quadrant -- I cut away about 1/2 the thickness, and the tang, then squared up the sides and top (was front).
Step 2: cut the detent notches (a cut off disc in a Dremel works pretty well, if you're fairly steady and have a light touch, otherwise use a needle file.
It should now look something like this -
Step 3: Cut a bit of the 2mm stock about 1-1/2" long (about 3 scale feet), then using a hobby knife and sandpaper round one end for a handgrip. Glue it in place on your quadrant, and allow time for the glue to dry, or at least "soft" set.
Step 3: Using the strip stock make the detent and latch lever, glue in place. Then add a bit of thin jewelry wire (about 24ga) for the pull rod.
Step 4: (optional) if you prefer a double quadrant, narrow the other bit of curved loop, then space it outward with a few bits of the 2mm stock
There you go... No, they aren't as pretty as Ozark's, but they only cost a few cents each. They're also fairly quick to make, it took me about 20 minutes to construct these two. You can also make the bars about 2-1/2" long (5 feet) for switch levers to build that detailed interlocking tower you always wanted!
And you can tell all the guys who say loop couplers are "useless" that they're wrong!
I didn't have any of these -
But I did have these -
A loop coupler minus the hook (probably LGB) plus some 2 mm Plastruct square stock and a bit of plastic strip.
Step 1: using a razor saw remove everything from the loop that doesn't resemble a quadrant -- I cut away about 1/2 the thickness, and the tang, then squared up the sides and top (was front).
Step 2: cut the detent notches (a cut off disc in a Dremel works pretty well, if you're fairly steady and have a light touch, otherwise use a needle file.
It should now look something like this -
Step 3: Cut a bit of the 2mm stock about 1-1/2" long (about 3 scale feet), then using a hobby knife and sandpaper round one end for a handgrip. Glue it in place on your quadrant, and allow time for the glue to dry, or at least "soft" set.
Step 3: Using the strip stock make the detent and latch lever, glue in place. Then add a bit of thin jewelry wire (about 24ga) for the pull rod.
Step 4: (optional) if you prefer a double quadrant, narrow the other bit of curved loop, then space it outward with a few bits of the 2mm stock
There you go... No, they aren't as pretty as Ozark's, but they only cost a few cents each. They're also fairly quick to make, it took me about 20 minutes to construct these two. You can also make the bars about 2-1/2" long (5 feet) for switch levers to build that detailed interlocking tower you always wanted!
And you can tell all the guys who say loop couplers are "useless" that they're wrong!