Turntable anyone?

J

Jon-P

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I'm interested in acquiring or building a G Scale turntable that can be motorised and eventually remain outside during all weathers. The Pola turntable seemed like an option but it doesn't look like it's available any more.

Am I correct in assuming that I'm going to need to scratch build something instead?
 
I happen to have an unused Pola turntable I would be interested in parting with....but it comes in a very big box so transportation could be difficult unless you can get down to the far south east corner.
 
In the below link, there is an LGB, a Pola both for just under $1,500 and some plans do build your own.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=g+scale+turntable&_sacat=0

They are expensive and just plastic. I think it may be possible to make one from a trailer hub with tapered bearing on a cut off axle set into the ground. It will run true then with the heaviest locos making the outer ring rail only cosmetic. You still need to motorize it. make it stop precisely for each road giving it power.
 
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Swift Sixteen make a very nice turntable although not particularly large diameter. It is resin built so will be weather proof, not sure about weather proofing the electics.

David
 
Might an O gauge one be modified? I bought an old Hornby turn-table and mounted a length of Peco gauge track on it. Very rudimentary but it did turn my locomotives.

SW
 
Blackcat Bridges do a nicely engineered turn-table..
I did see a big ?resin? one at one of the shows?? Peterborough, or Large Scale, but not sure who's it was.

For the ultimate in control, it has to be ADM..
 
A discarded 'Lazy Susan' makes an excellent base for a turntable. I suggest it might be motorised using a cheap electric screwdriver and a little ingeuity
 
Paradise said:
In the below link, there is an LGB, a Pola both for just under $1,500 and some plans do build your own.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=g+scale+turntable&_sacat=0

They are expensive and just plastic. I think it may be possible to make one from a trailer hub with tapered bearing on a cut off axle set into the ground. It will run true then with the heaviest locos making the outer ring rail only cosmetic. You still need to motorize it. make it stop precisely for each road giving it power.
Click to expand...

Hi Paradise.... i agree they are expensive and the LGB one as on the auction is indoors only. I hadn't thought about a wheel hub, a tapered bearing to take the load was something I had wondered about. A Wheel hub would seem to instantly solve several problems. adding in a static disk with magnetic or optical sensing should solve the positioning question. I was considering using an arduino to control it.
 
PhilP said:
Blackcat Bridges do a nicely engineered turn-table..
I did see a big ?resin? one at one of the shows?? Peterborough, or Large Scale, but not sure who's it was.

For the ultimate in control, it has to be ADM..
Click to expand...

The ADM design looks interesting, I'm not sure how weatherproof that design would be though, I suspect not very.
 
Jon-P said:
Hi Paradise.... i agree they are expensive and the LGB one as on the auction is indoors only. I hadn't thought about a wheel hub, a tapered bearing to take the load was something I had wondered about. A Wheel hub would seem to instantly solve several problems. adding in a static disk with magnetic or optical sensing should solve the positioning question. I was considering using an arduino to control it.
Click to expand...

I'm not too keen on an expensive item like a turntable outside in the elements even if it does last 10 years or so. I figure if I could get an old inexpensive truck or tractor rim then weld a stub axle from it's center would be a good solid start. A trailer wheel hub with bearing sitting on the stub and a metal deck welded to the face of the hub (where the wheel studs would normally be) It would run true within the wheel rim even if you stood on it. Bury the lot in the ground for good. The extra depth of the wheel rim could hold aggregate to act as drainage. A wheel rim will even have a beading lip for a cosmetic circular rail to sit on but that won't necessarily be needed. a few short plates welded to outside the wheel rim for each road which could be shimmed up to perfection. Truck and tractor rims can be heavy so it would be a permanent installation but once in would never need to come out for maintenence.
 
Paradise said:
I'm not too keen on an expensive item like a turntable outside in the elements even if it does last 10 years or so. I figure if I could get an old inexpensive truck or tractor rim then weld a stub axle from it's center would be a good solid start. A trailer wheel hub with bearing sitting on the stub and a metal deck welded to the face of the hub (where the wheel studs would normally be) It would run true within the wheel rim even if you stood on it. Bury the lot in the ground for good. The extra depth of the wheel rim could hold aggregate to act as drainage. A wheel rim will even have a beading lip for a cosmetic circular rail to sit on but that won't necessarily be needed. a few short plates welded to outside the wheel rim for each road which could be shimmed up to perfection. Truck and tractor rims can be heavy so it would be a permanent installation but once in would never need to come out for maintenence.
Click to expand...

Seems rather Mr Lumphammer to crack a nut to me. Locos, even steamies, are not all that heavy! Another option would be an expired swivel-chair base.
 
G-force1 said:
Seems rather Mr Lumphammer to crack a nut to me. Locos, even steamies, are not all that heavy! Another option would be an expired swivel-chair base.
Click to expand...
It is a chunky permanent approach but it would be indestructible and won't break from dogs, critters and kids. It will never go out of whack. My swivel chair base rocks from front to back but a good one could also be a solution. It would not be necessary to have a circular rail and functioning wheels to keep it true. A trailer hub is only about $30. The complications in building one to work properly can't be avoided so make one that will last forever. :happy:
 
Paradise said:
The complications in building one to work properly can't be avoided so make one that will last forever. :happy:
Click to expand...

Speaking as someone who would always prefer to use a piece a 2x4 when a piece of 1x2 would be perfectly adequate, I have a natural tendency to over-engineering so I'm definitely on-board with the do it right/do it once approach - I've just finished an 8m raised bed using cedar sleepers that has somewhat over-delivered on my wife's expectations - brownie points++
 
Would the exercise swivel discs do? I only ask because I don't if they fully rotate - not that I would want one for exercise purposes!
 
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