Need strip of flat metal (springy) that conducts electricity. Ideas?

The big A has flat brass strips in various thicknesses, widths and lengths and either in multiple piece packages or as an individual piece - should be able to find some that fit your purpose.

I would think 0.025" or 0.008' thickness would work.

Use a short piece of insulated rail to activate your reverse circuit... just change it from NC normally closed to NO normally open(or the other way around depending on your scheme). This way, the handcar won't need to strike anything... when it rolls onto the isolated rail the circuit activates, sending the car the other way.

If you don't want to make that change, raid your parts bin(s) for 1970-up axle wipers or roller contact springs(8209-120) and cut to suit.

Probably a surplus contribution now, but train show junkbox Marx cheapy engines used those as slider collectors since 1930's.  The Marx parts guy in northern Ohio may have them brand new.

Phosphor bronze and beryllium copper are spring tempered metals. K&S makes phosphor bronze and sold at many hobby and train stores.

Pete

Do a Google search on 0.008 phosphor bronze sheet.  You can cut it with scissors to any size needed.  I've used this stuff for years.

Thanks for all of the excellent answers!

I think I'll look through my junk box first, and then go to the little flea market train shop nearby and look at some of the trashy used cars they have for sale, and then if I can't find anything, start looking at phosphor bronze.   .008  thickness seems very thin though, and tempered or not, I wonder how many hits it could take before it got bent permanently down.   :-)

Mannyrock

Can you use a micro-switch ("cherry switch") to accomplish the same action, but in a more elegant and reliable way?

To make ***ferrous *** metal "springy," heat it until red, then douse quickly. That puts in "temper". To de-temper, heat until red, and allow to cool slowly.

CORRECTED TO SPECIFY FERROUS METALS.

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

Can you use a micro-switch ("cherry switch") to accomplish the same action, but in a more elegant and reliable way?

To make any metal "springy," heat it until red, then douse quickly. That puts in "temper". To de-temper, heat until red, and allow to cool slowly.

Ferrous metals, yes. Not for brass and copper. Heating those red hot and immersing in water removes the spring.

Pete

You are correct. My mis-speak.

How about a reed switch in between the rails and a couple of neodymium magnets glued to the bottom of the hand car?

John