Drive shafts for this flywheel

[JRP]

Hi.  I have two flywheels that I belive will work with a new motor if I can determine which type drive shafts will fit tight and snug inside the flywheel.  I am familiar with the "hexon" designed for Athearn and plan to add this motor and flywheels to an Athearn locomotive (GP 38-2).  Can you tell by looking at the photo attached?  https://www.flickr.com/photos/jrpfilestoshare1/50006511987/in/dateposted-public/

Thanks.

JRP

[richg1998]

Do you have a dial caliper? You can get one cheap enough from Amazon.

I did NWSL gear and shaft replacements in the 1970's with a plastic one that coast me about ten dollars.

I now have a digital one that still has the dial. Not expensive.

Rich

[Mark R.]

Athearn flywheel - uses a press in insert that has the ball attachment as part of it  (part number 95004) ....

Mark.

[RR_Mel]

I have worked a little bit with the Athearn flywheels.  The Athearn BB shaft measure 3.15mm/.124” diameter and I have successfully shimmed them using a K&S 3mm brass tubing.  I have removed the flywheels from the Athearn motors and reused them on can motors with 2mm shafts.

The 3mm OD tubing has a 2.1mm ID so I went with Super Glue Gel to help with the loose fit.  Out of 6 conversions only one was out of balance.

The Mabuchi FK-280SA 14200 (14200 RPM) motors work very good as a direct replacement motor.  Plenty of power.

 

If you don't reuse the flywheels NWSL universals work very good in a Athearn BB.

 

Mel


 
My Model Railroad  
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 

[mbinsewi]

Mark R.

Athearn flywheel - uses a press in insert that has the ball attachment as part of it  (part number 95004) ....

I've worked on lots of Athearn BB locos, and I go with Mark's post.

The better of the Athearn drives uses a hex head into the flywheel, and a "dog bone" connection to the worm gear.

It's a one piece drive shaft, and not a spline type.   The spline type drive usues the ball insert that Mark shows.

I'm not sure if the hex head/flywheel connection is a press in, or is part of the flywheel, and machined in.

Mike.

[Mark R.]

mbinsewi

 

 

 

Mark R.

Athearn flywheel - uses a press in insert that has the ball attachment as part of it  (part number 95004) ....

 

 

I've worked on lots of Athearn BB locos, and I go with Mark's post.

The better of the Athearn drives uses a hex head into the flywheel, and a "dog bone" connection to the worm gear.

It's a one piece drive shaft, and not a spline type.   The spline type drive usues the ball insert that Mark shows.

I'm not sure if the hex head/flywheel connection is a press in, or is part of the flywheel, and machined in.

Mike.

 

The female hex is machined right into the flywheel.

Mark.