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Broken Plastic screw posts

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Palm Bay, Florida
  • 38 posts
Broken Plastic screw posts
Posted by Sp1d3y on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 9:31 PM

I finally opened up my FA-1 and noticed that some of the plastic posts that holds the underframe to the carbody have just broke and a few have just fallen apart.  Any suggestions on how to fix the area and make it stronger and useable?  I thought about an epoxy that I could roll and shape. 

 

I'd appreciate any help.  Thanks

 

J

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Phippsburg, Maine
  • 141 posts
Posted by captain perry on Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:01 AM

possibly you could slip a brass or plastic tube over the post to reinforce it and fix the screw hole with epoxy---wax the screw and epoxy it in place.  the wax will make it so you can get the screw out again. 

paste wax- either butcher's wax for furniture or car wax will work as will rubbing the screw against a candle.  even a coating of vaselene will do the trick.  do not over do it, you want the epoxy to get into the threads but not be bonded to the metal.

Winnegance and Quebec Railway

Eric Schade Gen'l Manager

 

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Central California
  • 54 posts
Posted by TJ Lee on Friday, April 8, 2011 4:04 PM

J,

Check out these helpful tips for just such a problem as you describe from George Schreyer's site.

 

http://www.trainweb.org/girr/tips/tips7/repair_tips.html

 

Best,

TJ

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TJsTrains.com - Stop by -  lots of pictures

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Palm Bay, Florida
  • 38 posts
Posted by Sp1d3y on Friday, April 8, 2011 6:32 PM

perfect, thank you

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Norton, MA
  • 394 posts
Posted by piercedan on Friday, May 13, 2011 4:04 PM

Get some computer mother metal standoffs.  These have a thread on one end and a socket on the other end and come in different lengths.  Glue the standoff in place so it will stay put when reassembling.  There are nylon ones available also.

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