No, I am not using wire cutters on flywheels!
Wire Spreader. I need to do some rewiring of the layout out. I need to wire a new buss wire. Long time ago when I was having a CD player install in my car the tech doing the install had a tool that spread the insulation on the wire but did not cut the wire. I think that would be real handy when wiring the feeders. Any idea where I might find this tool?
Flywheels Install. I have some good motors that I would like to use to replaces bad ones. Problem is the good motors flywheels are shorter than the ones I need to replaces.(motors good and bad are Proto 2000') I have a tool to pull the flywheels but nothing to press them on with? Can I tap them on with a rubber or brass hammer? I would use some spacers on the flywheel that gets started first so the gap does not get to tight.
Looking forward to the coming answers!
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Hi, Ken!
You are probably thinking of the Ideal Stripmaster...
I have one and it can be very handy, especially when you need a free hand or the wire is so short you can't get a good grip on it. Mine ran about $45. and comes with a cutter for #20 to #30 wire. There are other models for heavier wire.
I'll defer the flywheel questions to others. I have messed around with a few flywheel changes but it was mostly one-to-one replacements with no modifications. I used an arbor press. A vice would work, too, but you really have to be careful about alignment. In a pinch you could use a drill press IF you don't have to push too hard (which you shouldn't for a model flywheel) It may help to warm the flywheel up a bit to enlarge the bore slightly.
[edit] You MIGHT be better off to look for a longer drive shaft rather than mess with the risk of bending the motor shaft trying to press on flywheels.
I keep a bunch of drive-line parts handy from A-Line. There are drive shafts and universals in the kit that are longer than needed and you trim them down to fit.
https://ppw-aline.com/collections/miscellaneous-re-powering-parts
I used the 12030 kits.
Regards, Ed
Yup, I've used a vise to press flywheels and gears onto shafts. I'm assuming a double-ended motor, here. A single, like a Pittman, would be a problem.
Ed
I seem to recall a wire stripper designed specifically to expose the conductor in the middle of the run, but I can't for the life of me remember who made it.
However, this Irwin stripper can also do it according to at least one reviewer on Amazon. I have no personal experience with it though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ21CA/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
CG
CentralGulfHowever, this Irwin stripper can also do it according to at least one reviewer on Amazon. I have no personal experience with though
I have the Irwin insulation spreader and it worked nicely to provide connection points on my under table layout wiring.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
cudakenCan I tap them on with a rubber or brass hammer? I would use some spacers on the flywheel that gets started first so the gap does not get to tight.
NO impact tools allowed. Use a vice to apply the pressure.
APPLY Pressure ONLY to the shaft and not to the motor. That is easy with fly wheels on poth sides of the motor. Otherwise you will need a jig of somesort to assure that you have the short end of the shaft receiving pressure from the vice. The bearings and motor housings are not designed to take this sort of pressure.
ADVICE : KEEP YOUR TAIL OUT OF THE VICE.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Ed:
I have a similar tool but I didn't know that it could be used to displace insulation in the middle of a wire! I was thinking about buying the proper tool but I hadn't started looking yet. I likely would have figured out that I already had the proper tool before spending money, but thanks for saving me from having to do the search.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterI have a similar tool but I didn't know that it could be used to displace insulation in the middle of a wire!
Hi, Dave, and others...
In all my years of scrounging wire—and I probably have enough hoarded to cross the Atlantic—I've come across a great variation in the properties of the plastics used for the insulation! So be aware that some may cut nice and smooth like a hot knife through buttah and others may give you fits, so practice on some scraps first.
The number and size of the strands will make a difference, too. Some wire has many fine strands where other has fewer heavier strands. Makes a difference in the tensile strength.
YMMV as the saying goes
Good Luck, Ed
Thanks for the answers folks.
BroadwayLionAPPLY Pressure ONLY to the shaft and not to the motor. That is easy with fly wheels on poth sides of the motor. Otherwise you will need a jig of somesort to assure that you have the short end of the shaft receiving pressure from the vice. The bearings and motor housings are not designed to take this sort of pressure.
Brother Lion, I was planning to tapping two flywheel's at the same time to just to get them started. Then I would use my vice and spacers.
Ed having internet problems, will check the link later.
Thanks again folks, Ken
Hi there. I've installed a number of flywheels and learned that the process should be done with caution. I have used a hobby hammer to install them by tapping VERY gently on the flywheel. After messing one shaft up, I learned that it is easier to increase the diameter of the hole in the flywheel than trying to force fit one. It usually doesn't take much - basically a drill of the appropriate size (the shaft, that is) and turning it by hand in the hole. A very small amount of material will be removed. The flywheel should then go in with just enough friction to move it back and forth without too much force. After enlarging the hole, I will sometimes make a few dents in the shaft to creat a bit more friction. Do this VERY gently with a vise. Once you have enough friction, you can use CA to lock it up. Don't worry about the glue, you can take it apart with an extractor very easily. As for the spacers, I've never had to use them. I would suspect that they would create noise if you leave them there. But please report back and let us know... Good luck!
Simon