James, The turnout arrived today I am very impressed. Thanks for your note. The club is currently building a layout and this was brought for evaluation, I am sure they will be impressed with further orders to follow. Great videos keep them coming.

I'm new to your channel and I have found this really useful and helpful. Thank-you

Hi James, this design has come a long way and has turned out superbly! Interested to see them as a kit! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Keith. :)

Thanks James. It was the depth beneath the underside of the baseboard which I was intetested in as there is limited space between the underside of the layout and the fiddle yard below it. Thanks, Chris

What a superbly elegant design I hope you do well with manufacturing them and nobody copies you design

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Chris, I've enjoyed developing these. Best wishes, James

Glad to hear that things are not forgotten. I am looking forward to seeing a young lad in a sailor suit arriving on the platform at Brixhill West for a ride on that lovely pond yacht in the background of previous videos. :-)

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

That video will come John, I promise. :)

James. The 2 point actuators that I purchased from you have been installed on my 2mm finescale layout. They are brilliant. They work quietly and smoothly and are gentle enough for finescale trackwork. I won't be using any more on my current layout, only because of the difficulties in fitting them into to very restricted areas on the baseboards. However, they will definitely be my chosen mechanism for all future layouts. Thanks for a wonderful piece of equipment. Pete

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Pete for your support and kind feedback. Did you find the adjustment of the microswitch OK for 2mm finescale? I designed them initially for 4mm and so designed the throw to suit. If need be, I could redesign the profile of the cam to improve the sensitivity over such a short throw. Best wishes, James

@petertownsend8276

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest James. I found that there was adequate adjustment on the microswitch in the present design for 2mm finescale. Altogether a brilliant piece of equipment. Thank you. Pete.

Dear James, recently saw an older vid from Muskoka Steve. In this video he showed how he installs a tortoise with an extended throw bar in a piece of pipe. By placing the tortoise in horizontal position, the movement of the servo motor’s swiggle is also transferred into a straight one on the throw bar. Another advantage of this kind of placement is that the servo can almost be placed anywhere. Great gadget you got there. Love the simplicity of this piece of electronics. The movement of your contraption absolutely looks marvelous!!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Vincent, I shall check that out, sounds interesting - always happy to take on new ideas. Take care, James

Hi, nice to see the final product materialising...!! For information, on servo controllers, I am using ESU Switch Pilot Servo 3 modules which can be used on DC or DCC layouts and each module can control up to 8 servos with channel specific adjustments for 'left' and 'right' position, speed of travel as well as selectable bounce for servos used for semaphore signals. Each servo channel can be controlled using DCC and/or switches; I have both connected at the same time, no problems. Each servo channel can be set up using a DCC controller or the built in module display/select controls. Cost is around £40 per module.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Patrick, that's good info. All the best, James

Great stuff. This really does look good. Bob

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob, I’m glad to have got that ticked off the list, on to the next task now. Thanks for watching, James

James, that really looks very interesting. Since your video about track building, I’m going to have a go at doing a junction to exit the helix being installed in Phase 2 of my railway because I’m hoping that it’s going to make the design of Phase 3 work as I would like it to. If I succeed in making the junction (I’ve already downloaded Templot and started following the guides - as well as yours) then I’d like to try out your point motor design. Prior to that, I’d be interested in looking at the cost benefit of using your design over my current standard of Cobalt iP Digital point motors. I’ve had several of those fail on me (though DCC Concepts do repair them under their lifetime warranty) and it’s a real pain having to uninstall/reinstall them under the baseboard. Your engineering skills know no boundaries ! Great stuff James.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Bryan, thanks for your interest. I’m happy to send you a sample to play with to see if it will meet your needs. A design consideration of mine was to enable the servo to be removed if necessary without displacing the mount to ease the situation of alignment in the case of future repair or replacement with another type of mount, should one wish to change the number of micro switches for some reason. All the best, James

Excellent work! As they say: give a man a fish... no, give an engineer a 3D printer... erm... 🙂 I have only one suggestion - try to avoid guiding the slider directly onto the screws, to avoid wear. Maybe, create cylindrical posts around the screws, so that the plastic only rides against plastic, and the screws only keep it resting against the main body. Or, even, remove the two screws completely, and make two slightly elastic (split) pins in their place - "moulded" directly into the base - you can then just snap the slider into place, which would also ease the assembly. Just a quick thought... Cheers and best of luck with your endeavour!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Adrian, thank you for your thoughts. I am always open to suggestions and appreciate the feedback. All of your ideas are excellent, and as I mentioned to David Orf in the comments I had looked at cylindrical posts for the slider bearings. The limitation being the increased complexity of the 3d printing process insofar as support is required which creates extra clean-up and reduces process reliability and consistency. Not a problem if I were making just a few but a headache for producing larger quantities. As for wear, I'm not seeing any on my test prototypes, one of which has been cycling back and forth for a couple of weeks now and must have done several thousand movements. I like you snap together idea - I must investigate flexible resins a bit more and see what the opportunity is there. Thanks for the input, James

Buenas noches! When you film at Robertsbridge get some good shoots of the details of the points / turnouts a rather simple one and a three-way for comparison - the scissors middle part you already got on the wall. Guess we gona hear "Pacific 231" [Arthur Honegger] with a fitting engine (a 4-6-2 in english) running some day on this channel ;)

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Will do, can't wait to share what's happening there very soon, and provide an update on the model turntable too. Just watched "Pacific 231", if anyone is wondering what it's all about here's the link. kzread.info/dash/bejne/pH-GpayhfLidotY.html Great stuff.

Hi, Just received a Servo Point Actuator from Bexhill West, not tried it yet but it certainly look good. Wish I'd known these were coming along, might have made a mistake with a lockdown purchase of Cobalts iP's.

Very nice piece of design and works well. Just one problem, 1 mount costs the same as as two Tower Pro SG90 servos.

Hi James, I am enjoying your series on Bexhill West. I also found your video on getting information about stations online very useful. I am interested in purchasing some of your Servo point controllers but I need to know the dimensions to see if they will fit. Could you measure one and either put that on the website. Keep up the good work!

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, If you go to the website and click on the product pages, there are some images to scroll through. One of which is the fitting instructions which has dimensions of the mounting holes. This may give you the info you need. Additionally, the width across the mounting holes is 66mm, and from the back of the servo to the front of the slider is 32.5mm. Mounts with switches are slightly wider adding approximately 5mm per side depending upon whether it’s a single or two switch mount. I hope that makes sense. Get back to me if you need more detail and I’ll be pleased to help. All the best, James

James I said your original design was good , But this is superior and if you don't mind me asking is the blue ring a roller bearing to eliminate friction .

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it is. I can’t believe I forgot to mention it in the video! The mechanism is silky smooth now. Thanks for watching, James

An amazing product !!!!!! Any chance of designing these mounts vertically for us N gaugers ???. Would be great especially as sometimes we need to have parallel mounts side by side for junctions, etc...

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Of course, that’s a great idea. I’ll get onto it. Thank you for the suggestion and your kind feedback. All the best, James

Hi James that's looking real good quite a bit of cad work. have you considered what I said before about a point over a board support timber, how you would offset your mechanism perhaps an additional piece running a brass wire to one side or the other. I hope I have explained my self.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I’m so sorry Brian, I forgot to get back to you. I did give it some thought whilst I was driving to and fro to work. I even sketched a couple of ideas out. That was a couple of weeks ago now. I’ll dig them out and send them to you. If you wouldn’t mind dropping me an email via the contact form at makeitminiature.co.uk then I’ll have your email to send them to. At any one time I have a dozen things in my head and if I don’t do things immediately I always forget. Never intentionally - but always I’m afraid. :) All the best, James

Love the music, it could be the channel intro track !!! In pun intended

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Ha Ha, I think we all get sick of it pretty soon. :) It's fun to mix things up every now and again though. Thanks for watching, James

Look great and so simple to use. I have a very simple dcc setup at the moment I change points manually. I am extending the layout and would like to add motor control to all the points. This seems as if it would be a very cost effective way of doing it. To keep things simple I thought I might run the points with a separate dc power. I notice you can “daisy chain” the controllers. What kind of power supply would I need say max 16 servos. How would I wire this? I hope this makes sense thanks

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Briefly Alan, I think I’d go for a 2 amp supply, although the system shown doesn’t cycle all the servos at once so that shouldn’t be an issue, but better safe than sorry. The dcc version of the controller can be fast chained from Master to slave very easily, and I will show it in a future video rather than try to elaborate here and possibly creat confusion worth my poor word-smithery. There are instructions to download at dcc-decoders.com which should help with your question for the time being. I hope that helps in the short term. My best wishes, James

Hola, hombre, maravillosos juguetes. Please earmark a dozen units for me. I'm delighted by your achievements.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Michael, you are so kind. ‘mates rates for you. 😀

Hi James, very nice, but I think I would have used just a slightly different method for attaching the slider to the body, I'd have built posts onto the body and then screwed into the posts, this method lets you prevent tightening the screws so much that they trap the slider. But its a very minor thing, am I right in thinking that the microswitches have enough spring tension in them that they cause a very slight vertical movement in the slider ?

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi David, I had experimented building posts into the body of the mount, but dismissed the idea as it led to complexity with the 3d printing. The design as settled upon requires no support, and so is considerably quicker and more reliable to print. As an alternative, I also tried sinking dowel pins into holes in the body of the mount which were excellent from a friction point of view but presented consistency problems when establishing the 'fit' to the slider. In the end, the solution presented here seemed the most consistent. Additionally, one of the screws retains the servo as well which is another complication which would have to be overcome. As these units will be shipped assembled and tested I will be able to monitor and inspect the tolerances. You are right, in that if you look at the footage especially at 15:16 there is a discernible lift on the RH side. Don't forget that this is shown 'blown-up' many times. I would estimate that lift to be about 0.1 mm. I wouldn't expect it to be an issue, and is well within what I would think to be an acceptable tolerance. As an aside, and for the benefit of anyone reading this who might be interested, I had the best results with a micro stepper motor and leadscrew as an actuator. The kind of thing used in CD rom drives. These things are, I think, several orders of magnitude better in terms of precision, control and quality of motion. One day I'll make a video about my experiments with them as I think they are largely ignored yet excellent form of motion control. Take a look at these for example: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255036427187?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=255036427187&targetid=4584826055637456&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354546&mkgroupid=1299623041023876&rlsatarget=pla-4584826055637456&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779&msclkid=ad316caed28413fa26d60ebee1960e5b All the best, James

James . I have just placed an order for two point actuators which I want to test on my 2mm finescale layout. If I'm happy, the rest will be changed. Have you any recommendations for servo motors? I have found some do a sort of shuffle from side to side when power is first applied, something I'd like to avoid. Love the design. Pete

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Pete, I've got your order thank you and am putting it together as I write. :) The actuators come preassembled with servos which I have had no problems with. The 'shuffle' is a controller issue. I've had no problems with the controller mentioned in the video, but I have experienced this with my Megapoints controller, although it hasn't been an issue. Best wishes, James

@petertownsend8276

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest Hi James. I didnt realise that the actuator came with a servo, even more excellent value. I look forward to trying them. I'll use my current controllers to start with and see how they go. Do the ones that you are using work with toggle switches instead of push buttons ? Otherwise it would mean a lot of re-wiring of my control panel. Pete.

You should have joined MERG - they have a number of Servo driver boards available.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan, Since making the video I have joined MERG and have enjoyed putting some of their servo drivers together. I'm really impressed with them. I'll no doubt have a video on the subject very soon. Best wishes, James

Just looked at the servo controller website the analog one is out on stock, I notice from the instructions for the digital version is a bit more complex to set up, unlike the analog one which is so simple to adjust. So I wonder is it possible to use a analog one and use another device in place of a push button if using dcc.

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I think I'd bought all the current stock, although Szabi will have more in soon. I agree the DCC version looks more complex to set-up, but I think it's one of those things whereby it's a lot simpler to actually do than contemplate doing. I will have a play with my own unit this weekend and make a video of the set-up. In response to your question, I think the answer is yes. I'm sure the inputs can be switched vis an accessory decoder, but I suggest contacting Szabi via his website for confirmation. I have found him to be very helpful indeed and he would know for certain. Thanks for watching, James

@Llamberg.Railway

2 жыл бұрын

Hi James thanks for the reply, I have found similar digital versions a bit of a pain to adjust for reliable operation hence why I have never used on points. Sometimes they why do a massive movement which could cause damage to the points ( tillig) but I loved the setup for the analog one. Also I loved your product and should certainly solve a lot of clearance issues for me.

Good morning James, How do get hold of your servo point actuators? Kind regards Rex

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Rex, goto www.makeitminiature.co.uk There is a contact form there should you have any questions. Thank you for your interest, James

@rexcarslake2648

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks@@BexhillWest

Everybody who has watched this so is thinking: where? and how much? Plus are you going to do a complete package, and there you go …. thanks Still love the closing credits music

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

1BCamden - this is why I am a creative type and not a business man. I should have mentioned all this in the video. Thank you for the nudge. :) Where: www.makeitminiature.co.uk How much: It depends upon which mount option. And I still need to confirm what I've paid for the bearings for which I have been invoiced several times incorrectly. But the target is £10 for the double switch variety, assembled tested and ready to go. £9 for the single switch and £8 without switches. Controller sub £20. When: Bulk order of bearings due to arrive in the next 2 weeks. The supplier had sold out, and back ordered them from overseas without telling me. :( I don't mind them coming from overseas but would have preferred not to wait. Ho Hum. Complete package: Yes, if needed. With a discount! :) This week I shall be printing the instruction manual, laser cutting the mounting templates and finalising the packaging. They will be on the site from Wednesday for those who wish to pre-order. I hope that's everything, James

@1BCamden

2 жыл бұрын

Great, thanks so much, looking forward to the next update

I went to the website on google but it doesn’t show up I am interested in purchasing some

@BexhillWest

3 ай бұрын

Try this link: makeitminiature.bigcartel.com/

Great James, would would consider a design for semaphore signals. There a vertical pin. That could be interesting too. Cheers Daz

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Daz, I've designed one! :) If you pause the video at exactly 1:31:07 you will see it. I hid it in the sequence to see if anyone would notice it. The clevis (which operates vertically) is attached with a magnet and designed to 'pop off' if the signal or its mechanism becomes jammed. By doing so really fine operating wires can be used without the risk of them becoming bent accidentally. Video coming soon. Thanks for watching, James

@andrewstevenson5449

2 жыл бұрын

@@BexhillWest Subliminal advertising of future videos, eh, James?😁

@ModelRailroadTechniques

2 жыл бұрын

Bexhill West very clever I will be getting some of these

I would love for someone to come up with a system or a technique for installing and then mechanically adjusting the position of any under mounted point actuator under a real base board. (dark, wide, fixed in place with cramped crawl under space).

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, the holy grail. 😀 I tried to mitigate that as far as possible by designing the template holes to be drilled from the top to avoid the hassle of wrestling a template, servo mount and drill upside down. Once the servo is in place it can be adjusted from the top simply by using an extended servo lead. Wire in tube (or similar) from above the baseboard is of course another option, and I have a mechanism to actuate an above board set-up for which an alternative ‘slider bar’ has been designed and which will feature in a future video. Thanks for watching, James

It looks more scale if it’s set Full Speed

@BexhillWest

2 жыл бұрын

I agree, although it's quite nice watching the mechanism operate slowly. :) I think the slowest setting would be ideal for opening a gate or lifting a barrier or some other similar detail. Thanks for watching, James

Hi James Somehow I became unsubscribed 😡 now I have some catching up 😀