Just purchased a Marx prewar wind-up M10,000. Motor does not work but I don't think the spring is not broken - maybe a spring to the ratchet is gone. This motor is new to me since it is a screw-in. I believe the key winds clock-wise but.... not sure.
How do I remove the key to remove the motor. I don't want to destroy it.
Now I see a square protruding from oposite side of the motor - maybe not screw-in but key does not come out of the motor. I tried WD40 to no avail. Still, does not look like my other Marx and Hafner mechanical motors. (Struggling after eye surgery)
Pre-war Marx mechanical motors with the screw-in key will wind in the clockwise direction, and the key will unscrew in the counter-clockwise direction. Trying to remove a stuck key could result in damage to the ratchet of the motor. The earliest motors as found in the M10000 use a spring type ratchet that tends to slip anyway. Penetrating oil/WD-40 is a good start to loosen the key. An M10000 has a lot of room to work (compared to other Marx mechanicals), so you could apply a bit of heat to the brass hub with a torch... use some sheet metal to shield the body from the torch flame. Use a small pair of pliers to hold the brass hub still while rotating the key counter-clockwise. It might help to use a Crescent wrench to give you extra leverage on the key.
Let us know how it turns out...
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month