Really, Thats odd I guess those little lifetime warrenty cards in Proto's and Spectrums that have HO engine's in them are what?
I give up. Generally it's Proof of purchase?
I have actually used both Warrenties at no cost to me but shipping.
(Terms of NewWarrantee?)
Or am I wrong???????
No - as long as you meet their conditions, (and they are still in business). The KEY word here is "Remedy" - as always, the 'Devil is in the details. Enlighten me .... As I'm sure you will
Mike
OK, Mike, but I'm not sure it will help.
Don, Uhh no Not proof of Purchase.... Have you actually seen one of these cards? They are registration cards, You fill them out all the Info,Where you bought it, the Model, the date etc and you send it back to activate your warrenty, If you need to see one let me know and I will scan one,so you can enlighten me abit more... maybe correctly this time.
mokenarr wrote: Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:I just popped an NW2 open. It looks to be true that there are no screws through it holding the frame halves to gether, I think the fuel tank, and friction on the circuit board are all that are doing it, and I don't want to have to put it together, so I am not taking it apart! This thing is really tiny, I am thinking that the reason for no screws may be that there really isn't a place for them. Again, I am not taking it apart to see, but most of the length of the frame is taken up by mechanism, and of course the cab end is cut way down, besides. So, while I see the issue, or at least the potential issue, I do not see it as a Kato issue, or a "cheapness" issue. I think it is a practical issue in producing such a tiny locomotive! That's my opinion, feel free to disagree. I won't hesitate to buy more Katos when they are what I want.I beleive you are 100% correct , the tank and circuit board are all that hold it together. I had removed the tank before removing the shell and when the shell came off the bottom part of the frame seperated, cause the inside to come outside. When I paint it and put it back together I will make sure the tanl is on b4 i do anything else Thank You , you have helped alot
Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:I just popped an NW2 open. It looks to be true that there are no screws through it holding the frame halves to gether, I think the fuel tank, and friction on the circuit board are all that are doing it, and I don't want to have to put it together, so I am not taking it apart! This thing is really tiny, I am thinking that the reason for no screws may be that there really isn't a place for them. Again, I am not taking it apart to see, but most of the length of the frame is taken up by mechanism, and of course the cab end is cut way down, besides. So, while I see the issue, or at least the potential issue, I do not see it as a Kato issue, or a "cheapness" issue. I think it is a practical issue in producing such a tiny locomotive! That's my opinion, feel free to disagree. I won't hesitate to buy more Katos when they are what I want.
I beleive you are 100% correct , the tank and circuit board are all that hold it together. I had removed the tank before removing the shell and when the shell came off the bottom part of the frame seperated, cause the inside to come outside. When I paint it and put it back together I will make sure the tanl is on b4 i do anything else Thank You , you have helped alot
That makes a lot of sense. If you slip the shell off first, you could tape it together, and they take the fuel tank off, and never have the trouble you had! Like I sad, I'm not sure there is even room for the screws most of the frames I have seen have, but I think this is a great little loco!
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Vail and Southwestern RR wrote: mokenarr wrote: Vail and Southwestern RR wrote:I just popped an NW2 open. It looks to be true that there are no screws through it holding the frame halves to gether, I think the fuel tank, and friction on the circuit board are all that are doing it, and I don't want to have to put it together, so I am not taking it apart! This thing is really tiny, I am thinking that the reason for no screws may be that there really isn't a place for them. Again, I am not taking it apart to see, but most of the length of the frame is taken up by mechanism, and of course the cab end is cut way down, besides. So, while I see the issue, or at least the potential issue, I do not see it as a Kato issue, or a "cheapness" issue. I think it is a practical issue in producing such a tiny locomotive! That's my opinion, feel free to disagree. I won't hesitate to buy more Katos when they are what I want.I beleive you are 100% correct , the tank and circuit board are all that hold it together. I had removed the tank before removing the shell and when the shell came off the bottom part of the frame seperated, cause the inside to come outside. When I paint it and put it back together I will make sure the tanl is on b4 i do anything else Thank You , you have helped alotThat makes a lot of sense. If you slip the shell off first, you could tape it together, and they take the fuel tank off, and never have the trouble you had! Like I sad, I'm not sure there is even room for the screws most of the frames I have seen have, but I think this is a great little loco!
Sorry you had such a bad experience with this particular Kato.
The friction fit of the frame halves may not have been as tight fitting and hence your troubles. Screws to secure the halves would need to be electrically isolated in the first place regardless if it is even feasible.
I've only experienced trouble with one HO Kato NW2. The bronze PU interlocking the frame nubs were always a problem. Rewiring the PUs solved the trouble. Now this one had been disassembled and the frame sent out to be milled for a decoder. I believe that even though a poor design, all my tinkering and disassembly had caused the issues. Another NW2 that has never been apart and still DC runs absolutely perfect.
All my other Katos are 16 Stewart/Kato that are in my mind the best drive that has ever been produced. One ABBA set in particular has run countless hours at shows and open houses and 12 years later only one unit needed a major RR and relube. The Older Atlas/ Katos are another fine chassis that haven't given me any problems.
Yes there have been issues in the past as cited by others, but Kato, especially in "N" scale is right up there in the overall quality and running.
It's just too bad that Kato has pretty much abandoned the HO and went to the "dark side" with most of thier product line. That hasn't bothered me much for HO, Atlas hasn't let me down. Of the over 20+ Atlas Classic and Master not one has been a problem. I can say the same for my P2Ks as well. Am I just lucky? Don't know..
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
trolleyboy wrote: I have had all the same complaints with HO Kato's that Brakie has mentioned as well.Not great concidering the premium ones pays for one of their offerings,I still haven't seen a good CP action red paint job from them yet,-------------------http://highhood.com/includes/ImageViewer.asp?ModelID=1828 how does this one look to youRob
I have had all the same complaints with HO Kato's that Brakie has mentioned as well.Not great concidering the premium ones pays for one of their offerings,I still haven't seen a good CP action red paint job from them yet,-------------------http://highhood.com/includes/ImageViewer.asp?ModelID=1828 how does this one look to you
Rob
CPrail wrote: I have a couple "KATO's" in HO scale,these are fine running and well put together,but I must admite I have never been a big fan of their Warrenty, 90 days doesn't seem like a lot,I look for lifetime and thats where my $$$ goes.Mike.
I have a couple "KATO's" in HO scale,these are fine running and well put together,but I must admite I have never been a big fan of their Warrenty, 90 days doesn't seem like a lot,I look for lifetime and thats where my $$$ goes.
Mike.
How many manufactures give a lifetime warranty besides Bachmann?
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I've had no problems with my Kato N scale equipment, an E8 and an RDC. The RDC was bought new, and runs great. The E, was bought as 'flood salvage' when Esther's Hobby got flooded a few years back. Even without total disassemly and cleaning, no problems!
loathar wrote:David-I've heard of people sending in 20 year old locos that Bach couldn't fix, so they replaced them with comparable new locos for a minimum fee of $10-$15. They've sent me parts for my old ones for free. No questions asked. I really don't see why people complain about their service dept.
Yeah, like me, I bought a first run Bachmann SD45 at train show, it squeeked, sent it back and got a new modern SD45 for only shipping. Proto; I've only cashed in on the split gear problem, got new axels in the mail for free. Atlas too has only a 90 day warrantee, attitude better than Kato, by the way I met a very old Japanese man at the Kato both at the Springfield show, he needed an interpreter. I asked if that was a founding member of Kato, or is it Mr. Kato himself... but I think I used up my question points after asking about the rerelease of the -9s. — A T T I T U D E ! ! !
Don, Uhh no Not proof of Purchase.... Have you actually seen one of these cards? They are registration cards, You fill them out all the Info,Where you bought it, the Model, the date etc and you send it back to activate your warrenty, If you need to see one let me know and I will scan one,so you can enlighten me abit more... maybe correctly this time
Warranties vary... They are added expense, picked up by the SALES deparment. INSURANCE if you prefer. 90 days seems to be a standard.
ARGUMENTS for and against:
PERFECTION: '0' defects, no shipping problems, no customer problems. (WHY a Warranty)? NINETY DAY: An Insurance policy, spelled out, and detailing conditions. (New product, original purchaser, etc.)
'LIFETIME' WARANTY: An 'Exchange' policy - again with 'spelled out' conditions. Good deal, or not? (YES) if the products need a sales boost; (NO)If the product were better made.
YOU are the one paying for it, Either way. Your perception can vary.
"WARRANTY" is a seven letter word. Period. Read the details (conditions).
I have 'Warranties' from Atlas, Kato, Genesis, Stewart, Athearn, Life Like, and Bachmann for new purchases. I have ony needed to use Genesis (2) Stewart (1) and Bachmann (2). My Genesis and Stewart 'replacements' were N/C (well past the warranty expiration) and are still running.
As for the two Bachmann $15 'lifetime' exchanges, I sold them. (Same problem).
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!