lift up bridge

Looks great....... even though it's made of metal , you still might consider some locating pins so it won't twist out of shape after repeated use.

Also, did you trial fit some pieces of Fastrack to make sure there were no clearance issues, especially on the hinge side ? 

Nice job. Looks neat and tidy. Much better than my clunky wooden lift bridges.

That's a smooth bridge ya built there!

@Richie C. posted:

Looks great....... even though it's made of metal , you still might consider some locating pins so it won't twist out of shape after repeated use.

Also, did you trial fit some pieces of Fastrack to make sure there were no clearance issues, especially on the hinge side ?

Locating pins is a hard maybe...its .125 Aluminum it will need to take a really good shot to screw it up..ya there are zero clearance issues on both sides

@mowingman posted:

Nice job. Looks neat and tidy. Much better than my clunky wooden lift bridges.

Thank you! ..Yes wood isnt my thing ..building the bench work was a chore ..gimme metal any day

I like it.

@Snkbittin posted:

Morning..1st I hope this is the right forum for this..had some time at work yesterday so I twisted up parts for the lift up bridge and installed it this morning..pardon the mess

Hello,

Could you please post some additional photos showing the hinge itself? 

The video is ok, but didn't show the hinge assembly and how it was mounted.

You did a great job and it is worth noting how it was done.

The latest OGRR mag featured a column on lift outs-- interesting read.  I, too, would like to see the hinges.  Thanks for sharing!

@IRON HORSE posted:

The latest OGRR mag featured a column on lift outs-- interesting read.  I, too, would like to see the hinges.  Thanks for sharing!

I wanted sturdy and easy and Im a Fabricator sooo ;-) saw the article was a good read ..putting more pics up in a sec

All .125 5052 H32 Aluminum The hinges are 2 flats and 2 angles .. the whole shelf rests on 2 angles screwed to the table ..I used hardware from the "Big Bucket" in the Garage Mahal so cost for bridge has been zero I assembled it all with it in place starting with the angle rests then the table and hinges I spaced it and clamped the hinge stuff in and drilled and tapped 1/4-20 for plates to the bridge and then I screwed the hinge angles on if you look the piviot point is up and away towards the outter upper corner ..thats so it lifts as it swings and zero bind ..I didnt use pins and probably wont as its 24" square and has zero play in left or right direction Id need to literally have to damage on purpose to get it to not line up.. When I Drilled the Hinge I did for 1/4-2 and tapped all the way thru..it will work like that but I drilled out the bridge side of the hinge just so the bolt would go thru and used Nylock nuts on all ..I could have punched out everything and made it "Perfect" like it was manufactured but I just twisted up the Bridge and the hinge angles and the shelf angles ..everything else was flat

@Allegheny posted:

Hello,

Could you please post some additional photos showing the hinge itself?

The video is ok, but didn't show the hinge assembly and how it was mounted.

You did a great job and it is worth noting how it was done.

Allegheny,Thank you ..I hope the above pics help but Im more than willing to answer any questions you might still have  Dave

Just curious.  How are you going to "camouflage" that rig?

BTW, that is one really fine job you did.  Thanks for sharing it.

@Snkbittin posted:

Allegheny,Thank you ..I hope the above pics help but Im more than willing to answer any questions you might still have  Dave

Thank you very much for the additional photos and the brief writeup as they both helped to clear up the questions I had.

Very well done and thanks for sharing.

Snkbittin, that is one nice bridge! Beefy! You must have a brake to do such perfect bends. With 1/8th" thick aluminum and the fact that it's maybe two feet wide, you could stand on it. It will last a long time and no splinters! Please post again when you connect the Fastrack electrically, I'd like to see how you do it. Thx for the post.

Well done!!!

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Snkbittin, that is one nice bridge! Beefy! You must have a brake to do such perfect bends. With 1/8th" thick aluminum and the fact that it's maybe two feet wide, you could stand on it. It will last a long time and no splinters! Please post again when you connect the Fastrack electrically, I'd like to see how you do it. Thx for the post.

Thanks! Yes Im a Fabricator..I program and run a 10' Mitsubishi Hybrid Brake ..Its very sturdy! Ive been laying out the track and hope Ill get the track on it tomorrow

@Forty Rod posted:

Just curious.  How are you going to "camouflage" that rig?

BTW, that is one really fine job you did.  Thanks for sharing it.

Not sure..Ive been looking at it as just a way to get into the layout and not a "Bridge" per se so Im going to do some thinking drinking on that  Thanks!

That's the one I'll be waiting for.  

Snkbittn, that’s the smoothest and sturdiest I’ve seen yet. Very nice.