Neil,

I was thinking of remaking the bolts holding the rods on the wheels to make them shorter. I like your tip on the rods being out of line. Something I hadn't thought about. Looks like I might have taken a bigger bite doing this project as I had first thought.

Haven't had much time over the last couple of days to do any kind of modeling.

Bernd

Bernd, It is interesting to see all the various problems you have found on this loco. And because there are so many, I think it highly likely there are more yet to be found! It is obvious the problems are not a single bad example; but, endemic to the product line's design and execution!

Had I taken the time to disassemble and thoroughly inspect the models sent to me, I'm sure I would have probably found exactly the same problems you have, although it would have taken me far longer to deduce what was wrong! I feel very fortunate I could return my examples and that I was dealing with M.B. Klein (Modeltrainstuff) who readily excepted that these locos where faulty! I wish you the best of luck with your modifications and repairs to this model and if you don't mind would like to continue along with you in this endeavor?

Keep plugging away at it, i'd love to see what you can make with it.

Yes, please do follow along. Your comments are welcome.

Bernd

Will do. Posting will be a little slow since nice weather is upon us and outside work takes precedence.

Bernd

Ok, first I'd like to ask why nobody caught the spelling error? :erm: :erm:

It's to late to change it now since it's in the title and on the first post. If I change it now it'll just get messier. What did I misspell? Why MANTUA. I spelled it MANUTA. [:-ashamed] So if you try to find the post many years from now you won't remember I spelled it wrong.

All right now that that is out of the way. I had a couple of hours today to work on the wheel pick-up assembly.

First I removed all the lettering on the bottom of the plate. A file works nice for this. Next I discovered that the gear cover has an angle to it on the outside. Now you can use a file on that and make it straight. I cheated and used my Sherline lathe set up as a milling machine and milled that portion out.



Next a piece of PC board was cut to fit into the channel of the axle cover. I'll provide a PFD drawing with dimensions later that can be downloaded from my website.



Next using a felt tipped marker I drew two lines for a section that will get cut out to fit around the gear cover.



Using my fretsaw with a metal cutting blade I cut out the center section.



Using a Dremel tool with a grinding disk cut through just the copper so you have two separate sides for the electricity. The end is cut out so the short screw that holds the cover on seats on the cover and not the PC board.



The board is held in by friction for now. I think I'm going to use an epoxy to attach the PC board to the cover. I was contemplating using screws, but think epoxying the board to the cover is easier than having to drill and tap holes.



That's it for now. Next will be the addition of track wipers and perhaps some preliminary wiring. That'll happen after the holidays.

Bernd

I see where you are headed with this for the wipers Bernd. Much better placing them on the bottom like you are doing. I take it you removed just enough stock to the thickness of the PC board correct? A PDF is always welcomed. Also, are you doing both drive units in this fashion?

For some reason that last picture is not correct. It should show the plate and PC board attached the engine.

I'm going to do the same as I did on Bill Gill's 0-4-0 Mantua.



Except I'm going to be using .010 or .020 phosphor bronze wire for wipers instead of phosphor bronze shim stock.



No stock was removed from the thickness. The board is .060" thick. And yes I'm doing both drive units. The PDF will give the dimensions of the PC board for cutting out, sort of a template if you will.

Bernd

very interesting work Bernd, as usual'. The overhaul is underway and in full swing. Lookout'

Bernd, is back in town'... [:-batman]

Thanks Ted.

That intro sounds like the intro to "The Predator", he's in town and has a couple of days to kill. [:-bigeyes2]

Bernd

I have been following along....keeping in the background....

Mainly because I don't have anything to add, except maybe ....

"WOW"!!!!!

Hi Geezer. Nothing wrong with quietly looking over my shoulder. Just don't drool on it OK?

Bernd

Ok, I got a drawing done giving the dimensions. They are general dimensions to get you close for the part to fit.

Here's the link to the PDF. I hope it works. If some can't download the file let me know and I'll post a JPG picture to the thread.

http://kingstonemodelworks.com/RLF/M...erplate001.pdf

Bernd

Upside down but downloaded fine.

I put the drawing in upside down in the scanner. Didn't realize that till I posted it. I found that if you print it out you can turn the paper till it's right side up. [)] [:-clown]

Bernd