Snap-in knuckles for 3509 car

[gunrunnerjohn]

We love to blab!

[sr2356]

Thanks for the information from everyone.  I going to order some metal knuckles, springs and pins.

I did'nt  think I would get this kind of response from a question.

 

Don

[gunrunnerjohn]

I've looked for the Lionel presses, but they're simply too expensive for occasional use.  I get it done with the Brakeman's kit, it works very well.

[cwburfle]

The Train Tender are indeed steel and a lot harder.

The Train Tender is extremely high on my parts vendor list. Not only is Jeff a great guy, he has a wide selection of parts at very reasonable prices.

I have some of the Brakeman's riveter stuff, but I do almost all my press work in one of the blue Hobby Horse presses that were customized for Lionel a while back.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I have some aluminum coupler pins that I bought from someone on eBay some time back.  The current ones I buy from The Train Tender are indeed steel and a lot harder.  Since I have the Brakeman's Riveter, using the steel ones is not an issue, it makes short work of them.

 

[cwburfle]

With the proper tool, it's easy to install either type of rivet. You'll find that buying from different suppliers, you'll get different composition rivets, some of the silver ones are aluminum, and they almost are too soft. Others are obviously steel (magnetic), and take a bit more with the punch.

I don't think I've run across any aluminum knuckle rivets, only brass (black) and steel.  Replacement pins for ZW rollers are commonly made from aluminum.

[gunrunnerjohn]

With the proper tool, it's easy to install either type of rivet.  You'll find that buying from different suppliers, you'll get different composition rivets, some of the silver ones are aluminum, and they almost are too soft.  Others are obviously steel (magnetic), and take a bit more with the punch.

I agree with the high reliability option of the cast knuckle and real spring, for cars that I'm going to use on my RR, that's how I go for replacements.

 

[cwburfle]

The 566-27 plastic knuckle with integral hinge pins is no longer available - the closest substitute is to use the 9050-56 Delrin knuckle with integral spring & a TC-23 knuckle rivet.

As Rob wrote, these original knuckles have not been made in many years. They are very hard to find, difficult to install, and fragile. (I don't know of any sources)
IMHO, the item requiring a new knuckle would have to be a high grade collector's item to make the effort worthwhile. Otherwise, just use the parts he suggested.
I find that the black knuckle rivets are much easier to clinck than the silver ones. It's not just the color, they are made from different materials.

[ADCX Rob]

The 566-27 plastic knuckle with integral hinge pins is no longer available - the closest substitute is to use the 9050-56 Delrin knuckle with integral spring & a TC-23 knuckle rivet.

For best operation(and durability), I replace the broken plastic knuckles with the standard 480-8 cast knuckle,  480-16 knuckle coupler spring, and the black TC-23 knuckle rivet available from some parts dealers.

[sr2356]

I have a 3509 sattilite car both knuckles are broken.  They snap in and out,   I got  one out .  Where can I get some new ones?  Does anyone have a part # or if they are avaiable?  I would like to fix it with like parts if I can

 

Thanks Don