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Gizmo on eBay

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  • Member since
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  • From: US
  • 148 posts
Gizmo on eBay
Posted by leewal on Friday, July 19, 2024 2:54 PM

Saw a "gizmo" on eBay that looked like a small snow plow on a rod. Says it measures wheel space from back to back. Can't figure it out. Any deas?

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, July 19, 2024 3:05 PM

Can you give us a link to the eBay listing?

Cheers!!

Dave 

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: US
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Posted by leewal on Saturday, July 20, 2024 10:56 AM

Hi Dave:

Here is the item number.

126249788742

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, July 20, 2024 2:05 PM

Seems pretty obvious to me. You put the axle in the slot and push the wheels until they are snug up against the sides of the cylinder. If the wheels won't fit over the cylinder you pull them apart until they do.

Better to invest your money in an NMRA gauge.

Cheers!!

Dave 

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 148 posts
Posted by leewal on Saturday, July 20, 2024 4:02 PM

Now that you described it, it's obvious. I have never seen one like this. Been using the NMRA gage for many years. Have you ever had a problem with alignment where the wheels are in gage but don't line in with each other because of the placement of the wheels on the axles?  Maybe this gadget could help with that.

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, July 20, 2024 4:11 PM

leewal
Have you ever had a problem with alignment where the wheels are in gage but don't line in with each other because of the placement of the wheels on the axles?

I have often wondered about that.

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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, July 20, 2024 4:38 PM

leewal
Have you ever had a problem with alignment where the wheels are in gage but don't line in with each other because of the placement of the wheels on the axles?

 
Yes, but only rarely. That said, it is one of my checks when inspecting a “new” addition to my fleet.
leewal
Maybe this gadget could help with that.
I don’t think so. Having access to a vernier caliper could be an advantage, but I’d tend to rely on the Mk1 eyeball and the NMRA gauge.
 
¼ My 2 Cents Cheers, the Bear. Smile

 

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by kasskaboose on Saturday, July 20, 2024 9:56 PM

It looks interesting, but it seems a more useful tool is the multi-purpose gauge.

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Sunday, July 21, 2024 8:17 AM

It basicaly makes sure the wheels are are 90 degrees from the shaft and spaced properly too. Personally I just eyeball it with an NMRA gauge but if doing a lot of cars or don't have the proper eyeballing, I could see it as usefull. I am one of those weird people who can see level, I walk into a room and can see what was installed unlevel or if the space is, guess too many years in the trades but I have met people who could not tell if something is out of level or square in this case.

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Posted by leewal on Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:24 AM

Me too, but it's very rare.  Thanks for your reply.

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  • From: US
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Posted by leewal on Sunday, July 21, 2024 9:25 AM

Me too, but it's very rare.  Thanks for your reply. 

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Posted by ndbprr on Monday, July 22, 2024 2:56 PM

I don't like it.  How do you know which wheel is not where it is supposed to be. you could exacerbate a problem by moving the wheel that is in the right location and they could both be off center when you are done.

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