Dremel wheel Cleaning

[trainbrain]

Can this cause axles to fall out by simply cleaning the wheels with a dremel tool?  Ever happen tp anyone?  It's a quick, easy way to clean wheels.  Thanks

[Buckeye Riveter]

I just cleaned about 20 cars with my Dremel Tool's new Scotch Bright type wheel, with no problems.  I also put a drop of oil on the end of the axle after cleaning.

[lionelsoni]

"scotch gard"?  Do you mean "Scotch-Brite"?  If so, it sounds interesting; but I couldn't find it on the Dremel site.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Changed it.  Yes, Scotch Brite.   We just had the carpets cleaned and guess what they use for protectant, Scotch Guard.

I bought the Scotch Brite wheel from a vendor at a train show.  I don't know if it is a Dremel brand or not, but it works like a charm.

[HopperSJ]

I hope it doesn't cause any harm 'cause it's a great way to clean those wheels. I spent two hours on two cars the other week doing it by hand. When I mentioned it on this forum everyone said - "Use a Dremmel!" Just today I whipped off my other two PW cars in about five minutes!!! Works like a charm.

[trainbrain]

SJ-  What PW stuff did you end up getting?  I remember your search last year.--TB

[More to restore]

Hello Trainbrain and others,

Hitherto, I have always cleaned train wheels with a dremel tool and a bowl-shaped brass brush. The dark material just flies off and the brass does not affect the metal wheels negatively. The downside is only that your worksite gets slowly covered with a dark spray and when the brush gets old, these nasty fine brass fibres are launched off to everywhere in your room. In case the "history" that the wheels have gathered is more than one millimeter, it is better to crack the black coating on the wheels with a hard metal tool, as a screw driver or so, but do it carefull not to leave scratch marks in the wheels.

Anyway, I like to test these scotch brite pads for myself and see what works better. Pity that the hobby shops are closed on sundays... I will have to wait a day. But then again, the is no shortage of blackened wheels anyway. Thanks for the tip.

 

Greetings

Egbert 

[HopperSJ]

SJ-  What PW stuff did you end up getting?  I remember your search last year.--TB

 These were actually a handful of flatcars and a caboose off on old scout set that was my fathers. I'm still investing in the layout before I can build my arsenal of engines and rolling stock!