MTH Switches

@Marty Lampner posted:

 

...I noticed that the other side of the switch had a similar bracket, I am wondering if they can be swapped or if there is difference between the two sides. 

 

Curiosity got the better of me so I opened one up and it appears from my sample of one that they are different parts.  Note the larger/wider cut-out (circled in yellow) on the side with the spring.

If you swapped the mounting brackets, the larger cut-out would be closer to the lever switches and if moving the spring to the follow the larger cut-out, I'd think flipping the bail over would mean the spring would no longer operate in compression(?).

I didn't look but I'm guessing there are different mounting brackets because the one on the top is used in the other turnout direction (left-hand vs. right-hand).  Again, that's just a guess...I don't have the other direction turnout handy to dissect and inspect.  But if this is the case, if you have the other turnout direction, you could swap mounting brackets since the cracked bracket would then be on the side without the spring/bail.  Not sure I'm being clear. 

I was so annoyed I hadn't noticed that but yes I think your right Stan.  A very good catch.  Will have to look at mine but suspect that will be the case. I don't think I have any more MTH switches in the parts box and trying to get an answer from them on the website is never easy and at least on Friday the phone was going directly to voice mail.  Given they are based in MD which is locked down its entirely likely they are closed as a non-essential business.

This will make the third out of six, the four plus the two replacements that had the same operating problem and presumably the same cause.  Doesn't say good things about their QC.  A shame as the older switches really worked well and the last few I have bought have all had problems.

Marty, note I'm speculating you might be able to swap mounting brackets from an opposite-direction turnout that you have in use (not one from a spare parts stash). 

You'd still want to clean up that green-wire solder-blob that is apparently blocking the mounting bracket leg from clamping all the way down without cracking.

An interesting idea obvious the right hand switch wouldn't need that one. I wonder since the pressure on it would be less if you could sub the broken one with a bit of glue to fix the crack.

Also possible in looking at the pictures your and mind the question comes up would the spring being switched to the other side matter. The angle would be different and it might bind but like your idea. May see if I can get one of the right handers to loan us its bracket. This is a left hand switch.

Spent the day cleaning gutters so time with the switch will need to wait. More to follow.

@Marty Lampner posted:

...I wonder since the pressure on it would be less if you could sub the broken one with a bit of glue to fix the crack.

Just speculating, but I'm thinking you could take that cracked bracket from your LH turnout and use it as-is in a RH turnout.  That is, the mounting bracket with the bail-spring experiences vertical and lateral forces...whereas the mounting bracket without the bail-spring only experiences lateral side-to-side forces to keep the sliding carriage in its lane.

In your photo, the crack is exterior to the 2 mounting screws.  Hence, a repaired crack does not provide any vertical structural integrity to contain the lateral forces from the sliding carriage.  Obviously it does no harm to glue the crack though.