RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion

Making a Lanyard for your RailPro HC

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William Brillinger:
**WARNING** This might void your warranty.

One thing the physical HC design is missing is a spot to attach a lanyard.

Thanks to a recent suggestion by fellow RailPro user Lee Nicholas, I added a lanyard to my HC’s!



Tools Required:

* Small Phillips Screwdriver
* Soldering Iron
* 9/64” Drill Bit & Drill
* 5/16” Wrench
Parts List:

* 2x - #6 Black Oxide Flat Washer (Zoro No. G3412227)
* 1x - 1.25” Black Oxide Eyebolt & 6-32 Nut (Zoro No. G3472585)
* 1x - 6-32 Silver Nut (purchased from local hardware store)
* 1x – Lanyard of your choice (I got mine on eBay)
I mounted the eye bolt on the bottom housing piece so it would sit closer to my body.
Mounting it on the bottom of the front plate would have been easier, but I think it would tend to hang funny then.

Assembly was easy, here’s how I did it:

* Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the 4 screws on the back of HC.




* Set the HC on its back and lift the front off. Gently pressing on the screen will get it to release from the plastic bezel. This will leave the HC innards intact with the back plate of the body. Set the front plate aside for reassembly later.




* I used a hot soldering iron to make a pilot dimple in the bottom of the HC.




* Use the 9/64” drill bit to make the hole for the eye bolt.






* Thread the black nut onto the eye bolt as far as it will go until it locks at the end of the thread.




* Place a washer on the eye bolt over the nut.
* Insert the eyebolt into the hole in the HC.
* Place the next washer onto the eye bolt.
* Thread the silver nut onto the eye bolt.
* Tighten up the silver nut with the wrench, making sure to keep the eye bold aligned.




* Replace the front plate being careful to align the screen and power button as you go.
* Pick up the HC, turn it over, and replace the 4 screws on the back.
* Attach your lanyard and Highball!




Cheers!
- Bill

William Brillinger:
For anyone interested, I have 6 sets of parts for this that I would be happy to sell for $4 US per set including shipping.
Email me at billy@pdc.ca if you are interested.


G8B4Life:
As the HC is rather large and bulky I had always thought a flaw in the design was the lack of a place to attach a wrist strap (in the same place as you've done Bill) but a lanyard is pretty cool to. The only thing I can see with a lanyard is the HC being a plumbob if you need to reach into an area with both hands but you could always get a lanyard with a quick release clip (if you trust it) that'll allow one to take the HC off without having to take if off your neck.

- Tim

KPack:
This is a great idea Bill.  Nice mounting location and easy to do.  I'm not sure if I'd like a lanyard around my neck though.  I'd be afraid the HC would swing out whenever I leaned over, potentially knocking over scenery and models.

For my own use I'd consider something like this: https://www.amazon.com/KEY-BAK-SECURIT-Retractable-Holder-Retraction/dp/B0039YY2QM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490321228&sr=8-2&keywords=belt+key+ring+retractor.  This would keep the HC tied to my waist where it is easily reachable by my hands, and with the retractor I can pull the HC to where I want it for better viewing.  It would retract up tight to my belt, allowing me to move freely and lean over without fear of it damaging anything.

-Kevin

nodcc4me:
You two have come up with a great solution to a nagging problem. I like the eye bolt modification but would not like the controller hanging from my neck. The retractable holder is the answer to that part of it. If anyone orders one, make sure you get the 13oz. capacity version for a few bucks more, as the HC weighs 10.2 oz. The 8 oz. version will not be able to stay retracted.

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