And here goes another thread.
In 3-2-1...
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have my own thoughts about whether or not the Micro Mark truck tuner is a reamer, but I am not going to take sides here to continue the debate.
Suffice it to say that when I have a plastic truck that seems to "drag" its wheelset(s), I use the Micro Mark truck tuner. It does produce what I refer to as plastic "shavings" from the truck, and the result is a smoother rolling truck.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain I have my own thoughts about whether or not the Micro Mark truck tuner is a reamer, but I am not going to take sides here to continue the debate. Suffice it to say that when I have a plastic truck that seems to "drag" its wheelset(s), I use the Micro Mark truck tuner. It does produce what I refer to as plastic "shavings" from the truck, and the result is a smoother rolling truck. Rich
Ditto.
And quite smooth and very free rolling at that!
I will only use the truck tuner if I feel it could be better performing after. Not every truck needs this done.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Lastspikemike As I predicted, we get a treatise on what is or is not reaming and what is or is not a reamer. Here's a reasonably priced specialty conical reamer: https://www.radiushdd.com/12-fluted-reamer-conical-2-3-8-reg-box-x-30k-swivel The micro Mark tool will only cut into the "bearing" if the cone is not 60 degrees or has some sort of burr or irregularity. When it does cut the operation is indistinguishable from reaming. To ream may include altering a conical shaped recess. The process of reaming is not limited to enlarging a bore or cylindrical hole. Any time you ream something you are using a reamer. My point was to reassure those uncertain as to how the micro mark tool works that the tool is pretty much foolproof. You'd have you really work at enlarging an already perfectly smooth 60 degree cone shaped recess in a plastic truck. If the recess isn't already smooth and at 60 degrees then that's why you're using the tool. Reamers are equally foolproof because of their design. In fact that's why they are designed to be that way and to do that job.
As I predicted, we get a treatise on what is or is not reaming and what is or is not a reamer.
Here's a reasonably priced specialty conical reamer:
https://www.radiushdd.com/12-fluted-reamer-conical-2-3-8-reg-box-x-30k-swivel
The micro Mark tool will only cut into the "bearing" if the cone is not 60 degrees or has some sort of burr or irregularity. When it does cut the operation is indistinguishable from reaming.
To ream may include altering a conical shaped recess. The process of reaming is not limited to enlarging a bore or cylindrical hole. Any time you ream something you are using a reamer.
My point was to reassure those uncertain as to how the micro mark tool works that the tool is pretty much foolproof. You'd have you really work at enlarging an already perfectly smooth 60 degree cone shaped recess in a plastic truck. If the recess isn't already smooth and at 60 degrees then that's why you're using the tool.
Reamers are equally foolproof because of their design. In fact that's why they are designed to be that way and to do that job.
Good heavens!
There was no treatise on what is or is not reaming and what is or is not a reamer.
One of us rolled their eyes, I gave my qualifications as a self-proclaimed-machinist, one of us gave the dictonary definition on what is reaming, and someone else posted an example of a reamer they were familiar with.
There was no discord.
There was no disagreement.
There were no insults.
No one said you were wrong.
The only treatise is contained in your response above.
Still, you are so determined to sow your seeds of discourse and create argument, you return with the insanity that your prediction came true. Wholly absurd.
No one took your bait this time.
Lastspikemike To complete the thought does the truck tuner continue to produce plastic shavings if you continue to turn the cutter or does it seem to stop producing shavings at some point?
To complete the thought does the truck tuner continue to produce plastic shavings if you continue to turn the cutter or does it seem to stop producing shavings at some point?
LastspikemikePut another way, does the process of tuning using this cutting tool seem to face a natural completion point or do you have to be careful not to conduct the operation for too long or the tool just keeps on cutting?
LastspikemikeThe photos of the tool seem to show a fixed length shaft which replaces the axle set so logically it cannot cut deeper than that fixed length unless you deliberately press the cutter end into the bearing cone. I guess I had assumed it was somehow spring loaded but either way the tool has a designed in length limit which would ensure it only cuts to the correct finished axle length.
LastspikemikeAnd that makes me wonder if one should buy the truck pliers at the same time. Getting axles in and out of plastic trucks can be tricky at the best of times. Makes me wonder how easily the tuning tool is to insert and remove without marking up the inside of the truck.
I have cars that go all the way back to the Sixties (mainly AHM, a few Athearn) so I just got a Truck Tuner to ream/cut/bore my trucks into proper contour before installing metal wheel sets. What gets my goat (Bahhhh!) is that I'm paying $17 or so for four sets to equip two cars that probably cost around $1.95 back in the day. 1) Yes, I know all about inflation 2) No, I want to upgrade them. They are the survivors of a culling process of what I had back then, so they mean something to me. It just struck me as something humorous and worth a wry chuckle. How our expectations have gone up. I'm sure there are other others out there in the same boat who will grin at what I am saying...(and there's the price of Kadees, too)
To answer the question on the Truck Tuner - It stops cutting once the correct contour is present. Spin it all you want, once it's the correct contour it will no longer cut.
The only way that it continues to cut is if you forcably squeeze the truck sides in onto the tools cutting edge.
Based only on my experiences using said tool, as usual YMMV.
My own experience with the tuner tells me that if you maintain constant pressure on the sides of the truck, it will stop cutting once it reaches the ideal contour. I've never tried it but my guess is if you squeeze it tighter, it might shave more plastic but I've never had a reason to try that. I apply firm pressure on the sides but I don't white knuckle it.