05-08-2022, 10:54 AM
It's been a while since I've done anything significant to post updates here, so I decided it was time to make changes to my control panel.
The challenge: I added a new section to my layout and need to control the power to the interchange tracks and show them on the graphics. I already had a spare track power switch installed, so it should be easy. The toggle switches are not a problem since they mount from the rear and can be pushed clear of the panel, but the pushbuttons mount from the front and cannot be taken out without unsoldering the wiring. My intent was to cut the non-glare overlay above the pushbuttons and just replace the top half of the panel graphics which are printed on a transparent sheet.
The results: the plastic broke not where I had the cut line, but where it wanted to, just below it (first two photos) and jagged.
The new plan: Glue the broken plastic overlay back in place, then put a new graphic sheet on top of it along with a new non-glare overlay and do so without removing the bottom row of pushbuttons. I can drill 1/4" holes for the toggle switches and 3/8" clearance holes for the pushbuttons. The third photo shows my drill jig setup. My biggest concern is cracking the thin overlay with the drill bit which I have done enough times in the past to know it can easily happen.
The challenge: I added a new section to my layout and need to control the power to the interchange tracks and show them on the graphics. I already had a spare track power switch installed, so it should be easy. The toggle switches are not a problem since they mount from the rear and can be pushed clear of the panel, but the pushbuttons mount from the front and cannot be taken out without unsoldering the wiring. My intent was to cut the non-glare overlay above the pushbuttons and just replace the top half of the panel graphics which are printed on a transparent sheet.
The results: the plastic broke not where I had the cut line, but where it wanted to, just below it (first two photos) and jagged.
The new plan: Glue the broken plastic overlay back in place, then put a new graphic sheet on top of it along with a new non-glare overlay and do so without removing the bottom row of pushbuttons. I can drill 1/4" holes for the toggle switches and 3/8" clearance holes for the pushbuttons. The third photo shows my drill jig setup. My biggest concern is cracking the thin overlay with the drill bit which I have done enough times in the past to know it can easily happen.
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD