Hi all

I have some old turn out switches (small lantern) that don’t function possibly. When hand switching them using the lantern you can hear them snapping, but the actual track doesn’t switch. Ive tried out swapping the spring with a new one, that hasn’t helped. If I invert the switch and try changing the direction with the lantern however, it does typically change. Is there something I can adjust? These switches were my grandfathers that did sit in my grandmothers garage for about 20 years until I was able to retrieve them, but they don’t appear to have any rust, and the solonoid is working just fine.

Suggestions welcome, I’d really like to use them again

Thanks

Hi Sancho,

As Mikey mentioned, the pivot stud must allow free movement but after this time quite possibly a small amount of surface rust in the pivot point and/or the underside of the blade (which cannot be seen but also referred to by Mikey) will cause friction and binding.

The fact they seem to work well inverted (ie upside down) indicates the blade contact surface rather than the stud.

You have a couple of choices, the WD40 suggestion, or CRC to clean the rust and to help I would slip a piece a paper or thin cotton strip say from an old hanky, shirt etc between the blade and the tracked so the surface rust has something to provide very mild cleaning abrasion.

Once you get it moving freely, you need a dry lubricant to protect going forward otherwise over time dust will settle, dust attracts moisture, and rust forms.

I have had success with both Teflon, and Graphite powder, the latter you can get from any locksmith, locks do NOT like oil, but love graphite. Makes a huge difference to any outdoor facing lock around the home, car door locks etc and... small mechanical parts like turnouts.

Teflon comes in many forms, Faller has it in a tube, I have also used it to free up sticky K-track contact tracks as per my article here...

https://www.marklin-user...aylayouts/0923/index.htm

Let us know how you go.

I'm glad you fixed it. I used to get them going with oil too. But as cookee pointed out they must be dry lubricated because over time the oil will attract dust and gum them up.
Mikey