Fast Tracks

I recently purchased a #8 dbl slip sw fixture. It is fantastic. Takes considerably longer than a standard TO and somewhat longer than a double crossover to construct one.

I use hand formed brass or phosphor bronze wire for the spikes at both ends for hinges. This was not too easy to do on the throwbars until I drilled small holes thru the bottom of the slots in the fixture for the throwbars. One for each point location on the throwbars. I used a #52 bit and tried to get it centered on the needed location. Now I can stick a long length of wire up from the bottom, form a spike head and solder it to the point using the excess wire from beneath to make sure the spike head is tight against the rail base and properly oriented. I then cut the wire off even with the bottom of the fixture and do another one. The excess wire left can be trimmed and bent over after removing the unit from the fixture. This "locks" the point down on the throwbar.

To prevent solder from making the wire solid to the throwbar, and to keep solder from wicking under the rails I remove all the copper foil from the throwbar before starting. I use PCB etchant, but a file and some care works.

Hope this info helps others.

Thanks