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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian Athearn is well aware of the problem, and was trying to line someone up to make new wheelsets last time I talked to them (post-Horizon buy-out), and they will be glad to fix your loco if you so desire. But, they said it might take a year (this was several months ago now). The problem isn't the materials, it's that the manufacturing tolerances on the gear and axle sometimes added up and over stressed the gear and it cracked. Tighter tolerances cost money, and someone figured wrong. I believe these were made by Samhongsa and they have a big backlog apparently. Running your model isn't going to cause it to fail, it either will or it won't depending on the tolerances yours has and temperature changes. To test it thoroughly (read - invite failure), put it in the freezer. Plastic shrinks a lot more than steel does. Mine was delivered and left outside when it was about 5 degrees and I think that's what did mine in to be honest. I chose to go the route I went because I lack patience. I would not suggest anyone who doesn't have a pretty good working knowledge and repair history of steam loco models attempt a self repair. I made the jig from a short piece of 2" x 4" x 3/8" lexan with grooves cut in it to match the outside of the drivers and the space between the drivers and the brass bushing on the axle. I made four plates from 0.065" steel with 'V' notches cut in them to fit the gap between the drivers and the axle bushing. The two inside plates hold the axle. You have to calculate where to locate the 'V' notches in the outer plates taking into account the axle diameter and where the center will be, and then the radius of the crankpins on the wheels and the diameter of the crankpins so the crankpins will hit the two sides of the 90 degree outer 'V' when the quarter is set correctly. The jig and the calculations are long gone, as I only made it for the first one, and really didn't plan on needing it again. Fortunately, the two later ones I got are fine. [/quote] Virginian Thank you for taking the time to explain how you did the work without the NWSL tool.. You are correct, this is not a task a person should try until they have a lot of skill in this type of rebuilding models. I may never use this, but I copied it and stored the instructions to use in case I need it. I do enjoy working on engines and detailed knowledge is always good.
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