D.I.Y. switch stand's
A simple inexpensive switch stand. ~ by Mike Gray

Here are some notes on the switch stands, .
Fabrication is easier than reading these notes.
I found that making a bunch at a time was more productive.



  1. The drawing is full scale.
  2. A quarter is about the right size for the round flag pattern. Cut them from thin brass sheet with tin snips, then lightly file them round. Solder this flag near one end of the main rod but leave room for a switch lamp if desired.
  3. Silver soldered the main frame support to the main frame. By doing this, the bottom supports that go underneath the main frame support at right angles can then be soldered with regular solder with no worry that previous work will come undone. This silver solder is available at any hardware type store. Does not need to be very high temperature type.
  4. All other parts are regular soldered.
  5. The top throw has a section filed out for the handle. The shaft for the handle is a 00-90 bolt. Many hobby shops carry them or can order them through Walthers. I tapped my top throw, but 00-90 nuts are also available.
  6. An easy way to drill the hole in the round handle is to insert the handle in a section of sq. 1/8 tubing and drill through both. Drill first, then cut the handle to length.
  7. The bottom throw has two holes. One closest to edge is where main rod inserts. Bottom throw goes underneath main frame support with enough clearance to accomodate throw rod to switch. Second hole position is determined by the throw distance of the point rails of the switch. Measure this distance at the end of the point rail. Divide this istance by the sq. root of 2 or 1.414 . The result is the centerline distance between holes on the bottom throw. If you are familiar with trigonometry, the bottom throw movement forms an equal side right triangle. The point throw is the side opposite the right angle. The bottom throw is angled 45 degrees to the main frame support looking down on the stand with the handle locked into the penny slot.
  8. The penny locking disk has slots 90 degrees apart cut with file, or Dremel tool, that handle fits snugly into. The penny is soldered to the top of the main frame. I found it easier to drill the main rod hole after soldering the penny in place. Looking down again, the penny slots are positioned 45 degrees to the main frame support.
  9. To install, hold stand in place manually on switch ties, connect throw rod to switch points and work points back and forth to find best position. Fasten stand in place with screws through bottom supports.
  10. I painted the stands weathered black and the flag bright red. Ozark Miniatures switch lamps were set on top.
  11. They are quite durable and inexpensive. Many have survived accidental human bumps and stepping upon.