products__turntables.htm

Diamond Scale Products designs and manufactures complete operating turntable kits in several scales and with several different bridge lengths. They are designed to be realistic in appearance and to provide excellent operating characteristics. The kits are craftsman-type and have numerous fine details included in metal castings, plastic moldings, and basswood scale wood. The turntables are designed to be installed from beneath a layout through a circular hole. All turntable kits come standard with the following features:

>Factory-cast pit; pit walls with ring rail ties are Hydrocal, directly cast onto a composition wood base.

>Gear and bearing housing is factory drilled and assembled to the underside of the pit.

>5/16 inch diameter steel center shaft (7/16 inch diameter for O-scale turntables).

>5/16 and 3/16 inch (ID) steel shaft collars and bronze oil-filled flange bushings.

>Non-wearing plastic main and worm gear; 50:1 gear ratio. (Brass main and steel worm in O-scale)

If you plan to turn the turntable manually or with a motor unit, the alignment of the track rails is by eye. The turntable should be located within arm’s length from the edge of the bench-work. This is a good practice not only for correcting possible derailments but also it is about the maximum distance a person with 20/20 vision can line up the tracks.

Indexing can be added to make the bridge rotate automatically to a selected track location. The Diamond Scale Products indexing does not require using fixed angle increments and can have sensors located wherever desired around the circular pit. Its solid state system senses when the bridge is close to a track that has been selected and slows the motor drive. It then stops the motor drive when final alignment is obtained. Accuracy of 1/50 inch at rail ends can be achieved.

Diamond Scale Products turntables are available in five different styles in various scales and nominal bridge lengths.

O-scale: OT-080, 80 foot; OT-105, 105 foot; OT-130, 130 foot
(O-scale turntables and HO TS-105 are currently unavailable.)

A table of approximate dimensions of all turntables has been provided for planning purposes

KIT NUMBER	STYLE	TURNTABLE	BRIDGE RAIL	PIT DIAMETER *	PIT WALL	WOOD PIT BASE
		(Scale feet)	(Length; inches)	(Outside; inches)	(height; inches)	(L x W x H; inches)
TS-090	Large Girder	90 foot	12-1/2	14-1/8	1-1/16	16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 1/2
TS-105	Large Girder	105 foot	14-5/8	15-9/16	1-1/16	16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 1/2
TS-120	Large Girder	120 foot	16-1/2	17-7/8	1-1/16	20 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 1/2
TS-134	Large Girder	134 foot	18-1/2	19-13/16	1-1/16	20 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 1/2
ST-090	Steel Truss	90 foot	12-1/2	13-9/16	15/16	16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 1/2
ST-115	Steel Truss	115 foot	16	17-3/16	15/16	20 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 1/2
ST-135	Steel Truss	135 foot	18-13/16	20	15/16	20 1/2 x 20 1/2 x 1/2
SS-065	Small Girder	65 foot	8-7/8	9-15/16	13/16	12 x 12 x 3/8
SS-075	Small Girder	75 foot	10-3/16	11-9/16	13/16	12 x 12 x 3/8
TT-051	Timber Truss	51 foot	7-1/4	9-1/2	1	12 x 12 x 3/8
TT-060	Timber Truss	60 foot	8-1/4	9-11/16	1	12 x 12 x 3/8
GT-056	Gallows Truss	56 foot	7-5/8	9	9/16	12 x 12 x 3/8
NT-100	Girder	100 foot	7-1/2	8-1/2	9/16	12 x 12 x 3/8
NT-135	Girder	135 foot	10	11-1/8	9/16	12 x 12 x 3/8
SN-065	Girder	65 foot	12-1/8	13-1/8	1	16-1/2 x 16-1/2 x 1/2
OT-080	Girder	80 foot	21-3/4	24	2	28 1/2 x 28 1/2 x 1/2
OT-105	Girder	105 foot	26-1/4	28-7/16	2	28 1/2 x 28 1/2 x 1/2
OT-130	Girder	130 foot	32-1/2	34-3/4	2	37 x 37 x 1/2 **

* Dimensions shown are typical; actual may vary by +/- 1/16 inch
** After assembly

Bridge frame consists of two basswood sides separated by spacer blocks and center block. The center block is plastic molded to receive the center shaft. Girder ribbing and rivet detail is provided by plastic molded side pieces. Ring rail trucks are metal castings with brass wheels and steel axles, complete with motor and gear detail. Bridge control cab and round-top bridge arch consist of metal castings to be glued together.

Bridge posts and diagonals are metal castings with web and rivet detail. Bridge is constructed from scale basswood shapes and 1/64 inch thick plywood that make gussets and cross-ribs. Center shaft has factory-welded steel out-reach arms to apply turning pressure close to the bridge ends. Bridge cab and arch consist mainly of metal castings to be glued together. Ring rail trucks are metal castings with brass wheels and steel axles.

Bridge frame consists of two basswood sides separated by spacer blocks and center block. The center block is drilled to receive the center shaft. Ring rail trucks are metal castings with brass wheels and steel axles. Center arch is code 70 weathered nickel-silver rail with fine metal guy wires. Girder ribbing and rivet detail is provided by plastic molded side pieces. An operating platform and motor mechanism is provided in metal castings.

Bridge is constructed of scale basswood. Center shaft is factory-welded to a steel plate that attaches to the bridge. Nut, bolt and washer detail provided by plastic castings. Pit walls provide a rock texture appearance. Center pivot features a metal casting cone. Electrical pick-up for the bridge is by slip ring and wiper mounted under the bridge. This turntable kit is quite suitable for dual gauge and Hon3 narrow gauge.

Bridge is constructed of scale basswood. Center shaft is factory-welded to a steel plate that attaches to the bridge. Arch is scale basswood with thread guy wires. Nut, bolt and washer detail provided by plastic castings. Pit walls simulate stacked ties. Center pivot features wood and metal support structure. Electrical pick-up for the bridge is by slip ring and wiper mounted under the bridge. This turntable kit is quite suitable for dual gauge and Hon3 narrow gauge.

>Dolly trucks fitted with steel axles and bearing wheels; complete with motor and gear detail.

All O-scale kits may be furnished with 1/32 inch thick plywood decking in place of ties so that two or three rail track my be placed directly onto the bridge deck; thinner ties are then provided to support the walkways and handrails.

The OT-130 pit is made and shipped in two sections to better accommodate shipping and handling. Full instructions and additional materials are provided with the kit to join the sections together.