I have a few freight cars that use bolster pins to attach the trucks to the freight car. I am looking to just buy an assortment of bolster pins that would have different types that would cover all the different manufacturers of freight cars. Does anyone out there know of a good place to get an assortment like that?
George
I've never seen an "assortment", when ever I needed them, I either searched for pins for a specific car manufacturer, or replaced the pin by filling in the hole, and tapping the hole for a screw.
What scale?
Maybe start with an Ebay search?
Just an idea.
Mike.
My You Tube
I don't like the press fit or screws (self tap ones), get a Kadee #246 tap and drill set and get assortment of 2/56 screws use for bolsters and coupler boxes, I find this is the best option. Screw assortments can be found on the auction site.
A drill set and a 2-56 tap are the way to go for HO. I drill/tap all of my truck bolsters and coupler pockets.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Bolsters are proprietary, meaning there are as many as their are manufacturers, most likely. Go with the 2-56
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The Kadee drill and tap kit is the best way to go- and assorted sizes (lengths) of 2-56 round or flat head slotted screws are on EBAY for about $15.95. Or just get a bulk pack of a single longer thread length and use a Xuron nipper to cut to what length you need. Those bolster pins were a quick production trick and reworking the attachment with a 2-56 machine screw gives you far better control of the truck height and a more stable car dynamic as it moves!
Cedarwood Ron
Hi George,
If you are going to use the Kadee 2/56 drill and tap set you will need to fill the bolster hole first. You can buy styrene rod or tube from Evergreen Scale Models (available from most hobby suppliers), or you can make your own plugs from the sprues left over from styrene kits. The sprues should be as close to round as possible, and you can reduce the diameter if need be by heating the sprue over a candle and then stretching it a bit.
https://evergreenscalemodels.com/collections/14-polystyrene-rod
https://evergreenscalemodels.com/collections/14-polysytrene-tubes
Use a thin styrene cement, not the gooey stuff in a tube, and let it dry for a day or more before trying to drill and/or tap.
If you need 2/56 screws the hobby shops will have them, or you can order from these guys:
http://www.microfasteners.com/mspps0205-2-56-x-5-16-pan-head-machine-screws-phillips-stainless-steel.html
I suggest using stainless steel. Plain steel screws can be attracted by in-track uncoupling magnets.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Back in 2011, I posted a 'how to' on replacing trucks with truck mounted couplers, most of these trucks have bolster pins, so the repalcement process you need is included. Step by step, it is not that difficult once you have the tools.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/194011.aspx#2118137
Sometimes the forum will not make a link to another post clickable, just copy and paste the link in yuor browser
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Clickable link.