What size of stainless steel washers that are the same size that most modern freight car bolsters have, should I glue to the bottom body bolster of a retro International Hobby Corporation freight car in order to screw it in. What size srew should I use with the washer?
alloboard What size of stainless steel washers that are the same size that most modern freight car bolsters have, should I glue to the bottom body bolster of a retro International Hobby Corporation freight car in order to screw it in. What size srew should I use with the washer?
My question is, why do you need washers, in the first place? And if you glue them to the bottom body bolster you will also raise the coupler height. I don't think Kadee uses Talgo style trucks. I would:
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Not sure what you are trying to do here. As a general rule trucks are fastened to the bottoms of cars using screws. The screws thread themselves into the plastic car bottom (or truck bolster). If the bolsters lack holes to accept the screws, you drill holes. If there are existing holes but they are so big the screws don't fit, you plug the hole with a bit of plastic rod (pieces of plastic sprue work fine) and glue the plug in place. When the glue is hard, drill a hole to accept the screw.
I use pan head machine screws about 3/8 inch long. Sizes 2-56, 4-40, and 6-32 work for HO. Pick the largest screw size that will fit the trucks. The bigger the screw, the bigger the screw head, and a larger screw head helps hold the trucks flat (parallel to the bottom of the car.
Use the right size drill for the size of screw you pick. Google for "tap drill chart" and and you will find that a 2-56 screw wants a #50 tap drill, a 4-40 screw wants a #43 tap drill and a 6-32 screw wants a #35 tap drill. If you don't own a set of numbered drills, you can buy just the single size you need at a decent hardware store. Your screws will fit better if you use the right sized drill. I use a pin vise and drill by hand. I suppose you could drill under power, but doing it by hand lessens the chances of slippage, breakage, and other car damaging accidents.
Washers. You don't need washers just to attach trucks. Just pan head machine screws. If, however, after mounting your trucks, you find your body mount couplers are a little low, then you want to slip a #6 flat washer in between the truck and the truck bolster to raise the car up a bit. You will find that pretty much all Athearn blue box cars want a washer under each truck to get the couplers up to the right height.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
KD has 2 different sizes of fiber washers designed just for this purpose.
They also have have the drill and tap sets for the 2/56 screws.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Where can I get brass tubing that will fit? What is AC? What did you mean by CA the sprue
Brass tubing is available from hobby shops. AC = CA = cyanoacrylate glue = Super glue.
Joe
What size would I need?
Does someone know a link on the web that has an illustration regarding this mini retrofitting project? I always do some research before asking what may seem to be a stupid question online.
Does someone know a link on the web that has an illustration regarding this mini retrofitting? I always do some research before asking what may seem to be a stupid question online.
Why wait for someone to give you an answer that may or may not work in your situation? Why not figure it out on your own, the way we used to years ago (you know, before the internet). The best way to learn something is by trying it for yourself...
You're right I just hope it will be a good way.