I got tire of the factory turntable drive throwing the rubber and belt. I installed a direct drive DC motor and it now works smooth and is very powerful.
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I don't have as much trouble with the rubber band drive as I do getting bits of ballast stuck in the gearing. Right now I've got the hand crank on mine, but I do have a box-o-motors that I could try if I can find a decent meshing gear that'll fit on the motor shaft.
Good looking mod 
Great idea! What are the plans for covering the new motor?
Thanks,
Alan
Mr UP, nice job on the modification. I am glad to hear that the turntable is working better for you.
Ha! Yes, yes, I forgot to mention covering the motor. I am planning on a switch tower building...lol it will have to be two story for sure.
Couldn't you mount the new motor upside down below the board and extend the gear up from below?
Tom is right and you know after I finished mounting the motor, the thought of mounting it under the layout crossed my mind. Under mount is a great idea. I have a building in mind that should cover it, if not, under it will go.
Can you list the parts used and where you got them please?
Originally Posted by NYC 428:
Can you list the parts used and where you got them please?
I'd like that info too. One question, does the table still have indexing?
Joe
Wonderful! Great modification.
Yes, I'll post the actual parts later today. I just searched on Amazon for low RPM DC hobby motor. The motor is a 60 RPM motor. A 100 RPM might be better, but I don't really get in a hurry, so 60 is fine for me. The indexing feature of the turn table still works great. As for the gear, I just took a shot in the dark at that, and hit the target. I just made sure it would fit the motor shaft (5mm). The teeth perfectly match the teeth on the turn table...yep, that was cool! The bracket that the motor is attached to came from the same source as the motor, screws came from Lowe's. You will notice the corner bracket that connects it to the table...that also came from Lowe's. How do I power it? Good question! I had an old HO Tyco transformer from my childhood HO layout (don't throw stuff away) it works fantastic to power the DC motor.
Originally Posted by Mr Union Pacific:
Yes, I'll post the actual parts later today. I just searched on Amazon for low RPM DC hobby motor. The motor is a 60 RPM motor. A 100 RPM might be better, but I don't really get in a hurry, so 60 is fine for me. The indexing feature of the turn table still works great. As for the gear, I just took a shot in the dark at that, and hit the target. I just made sure it would fit the motor shaft (5mm). The teeth perfectly match the teeth on the turn table...yep, that was cool! The bracket that the motor is attached to came from the same source as the motor, screws came from Lowe's. You will notice the corner bracket that connects it to the table...that also came from Lowe's. How do I power it? Good question! I had an old HO Tyco transformer from my childhood HO layout (don't throw stuff away) it works fantastic to power the DC motor.
MR Union Pacific can you send me an e-mail? Mine is posted in my profile. Thank you, G
Mr UP,
NYC 428 wrote: "Can you list the parts used and where you got them please?"
I'd like that info as well...
Thanks,
Dave
Wow! Great job!
Mr Union Pacific posted:I got tire of the factory turntable drive throwing the rubber and belt. I installed a direct drive DC motor and it now works smooth and is very powerful.
Hi Mr Union, how did you get the two brass pieces to fit together ?
I bought all the parts and not sure how to assemble the two. Also top brass connector was missing teh set screw. Did your come with one ?
Thanks !
Mr.UP said he would list the parts, Porsche 1662 says he bought all the parts but doesn't know how they go together. Did I miss the post with the parts listed?
Coach Joe,
Ill be glad to relist for a fellow coach. All came from Amazon.
Number 1: 37mm DC Geared motor mounting bracket holder + 6mm hex coupling $5.32
Number 2: RioRand mini 12v DC 60RPM High torque gear box electric motor $11.99
Number 3: 32P (4mmBore) 16T Gear motor pinion gear $7.99
Now for the small screws to mount the motor to the mounting bracket I just took the motor into Lowes and got the proper METRIC screws.
Ok for the two brass pieces. The piece that is on the motor shaft will slip on the shaft no problem. So, how did I connect the gear to that piece? I drilled and tapped the shaft brass piece into the thicker hex end. Then I drilled a through hole to fit the screw used to fit the two together. The tap was either a 1/4-20 or 10-24. I used red locktite and screwed the two together then I slipped it on the motor shaft. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Ok thank you. I was wondering if I missed a part. Ill get right on it
Thanks !
Love your idea. How has it been working over time? Any problems with the table plastic gear on the table if the table jams?
This would have been a great You Tube video on how to do.
Rick.
Nice idea to fix an ongoing problem. I approached mine a bit differently: I first drew a circle on the table using the Atlas turntable rim as the guide. Then I removed the turntable and sawed a circular hole 26" in diameter following the circle outline. The Atlas turntable is actually only 24" in diameter (with a one inch rim around the edge), not large enough for three of my larger engines, a streamlined F-7 Hudson and two S-3 Northerns.
A friend of mine built a new 26" turntable with a nice pit and a motor underneath. The new turntable fits into the exact space that the Atlas turntable fit in but gives me two more inches of actual turntable space. The two Northerns and the Hudson just fit on the 26" length with very little to spare, but the new turntable is a welcome change for my largest engines. I had intended to build a new roundhouse, from a Korber kit, in order to have four tracks covered, but it was just easier to adapt the Atlas roundhouse and simply use it.
Overall, a very worthwhile project.
Paul Fischer
Nice job. The Atlas turntable is an item that just dries out to be improved by Atlas. Had there been one long enough to handle my scale AC-9 2-8-8-4 I would have bought it. I made a turntable, an awful experience, but it works. There needs to be a large turntable, reliably made, that does not cost $1500.
Cover the motor? Nah, it's a modeling opportunity. Painted correctly, and with a guy or two on the ground handling some "control levers", maybe at a discreetly lighted control stand, it could have a really 1:48 Steam Punk look about it. The wire, properly "supported" or some such, with some added pipes and conduits and I-beams, could be part of the whole ambience.
I'm only 30% kidding.
Nope no binding so far. Lol I have it covered. Soon as I finish cutting limbs outside in my yard Ill come in and show yall how I covered the motor. Yep, after I finished everything I kicked myself for not making a video. And ill be honest, it would be nice if it were bigger. As some of you stated, it is kind of small. There is no way my DD40 or my Challenger will fit. Oops, break time is over, going back outside.
Great work. There is another thread on this topic where I posted a similar alternative to this setup.
In this other setup, the original motor base remains intact . The turntable remains as one unit.
Either way, its a heck of a lot better then the flimsy drive that comes with it.
Joe
All right I had to stop with the limb trimming because it started raining. So, here is how I covered the motor:
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Love it... great work! Really like the tower.
A few pics of my next project. Thought I would build my own round house.
Rick.
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Dang! That is awesome! But I'll admit what I am really envious of is your basement. I long for a basement, but they are very, very rare here in Florida. So, where is my layout? It's in our upstairs "play" room.
Hey I have a question. How are you fixing the fastrack next to the turn table? I played around with using fastrack around the turn table, but I determined tubular would be easier.
That disguise for the motor is real nice!!
I am very impressed. You did a great job and I am sure many will follow what you have done.
This video helped me out joining the fastrack to the turntable.
That video was great!!! I guess there is not anything that isn't on youtube.
Yes it is great for a newbie like me. I just love seeing pics and videos and seeing everyone's ideas.
MR UNION PACIFIC,I have to ask, would you be interested in making me the same set up, I was just about to change my plans until I seen your post on the motor. If so just E mail me with your cost and shipping to 48162 Michigan. I hope you do not mind here is some pics of the stand still.
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Mr Union Pacific posted:All right I had to stop with the limb trimming because it started raining. So, here is how I covered the motor:
Just was wondering would you be interested in making the same set up for me, not sure if I posted the last reply right at the bottom of this page. If may I have the part #s for all the parts thank and have great day.
Mr Union Pacific.
Thanks for the info on the drive assembly you posted. I found all on line and have ordered them.
Rick.
Mr Union Pacific.
ps with your info I had all parts ordered with in 10 minutes.
Thanks again Rick.
D500 posted:Cover the motor? Nah, it's a modeling opportunity. Painted correctly, and with a guy or two on the ground handling some "control levers", maybe at a discreetly lighted control stand, it could have a really 1:48 Steam Punk look about it. The wire, properly "supported" or some such, with some added pipes and conduits and I-beams, could be part of the whole ambience.
I'm only 30% kidding.
That's a good idea. There were a lot of turntables that had a great clunky air motor drive mounted on the bridge powered by hose from the locomotive. Lots of 'steampunk' features possible.
Thanks Mr. UNION P !!!
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Porsche, THAT LOOKS FLIPPING AWESOME!!!!!! The ballast looks great too, what did you use?
