?: IHC Truck Bolster Pin Replacement

[DigitalGriffin]

So I bought some cheap IHC 4 wheel passenger cars for my son on his first layout.  Unfortunately the bolster pins didn't stick very well and I already lost one.

I could order replacements online, but I was wondering what I could use as a substitute pin so I could fix it up this weekend.

Would a #6 machine screw do it?

[slammin]

I'm not familiar with the IHC cars. Usually screws to attach trucks are 2-56. A 6-32 would be larger, .135" diameter. The tap drill is a #36, .1065" diameter. It would help if you could accurately measure the pin diameter. 

[DigitalGriffin]

slammin

A 6-32 would be larger, .135" diameter. The tap drill is a #36

It wouldn't surprise me.  It's a simple plastic plug friction fit and quite thick.  I believe it was .125 across.

[doctorwayne]

You could plug the holes using Evergreen styrene tubing, telescoping down to a size that could be drilled and tapped for a 2-56 screw, but you'd also have to modify the truck bolsters in a similar way.

If the cars don't have interiors, an easier method would be to cement a piece of thick sheet styrene (060" or thicker) onto the cars' floor, covering the hole, then drill (#50 bit) and tap it to accept the 2-56 screw.
For the truck, cement a similar piece of styrene to the bottom of the truck's bolster, then drill it (#42) for clearance.
I'd suggest doing all of the cars, since they'll eventually all develop the same malady.

Wayne

[dknelson]

Although Wayne gives the best and most durable advice, back when I too just wanted to replace the plugs, I made my own out of the left-over sprues from plastic kits.  It was futzy work but they were free (and to be sure eventually they too failed).

Dave Nelson

[G Paine]

doctorwayne

You could plug the holes using Evergreen styrene tubing, telescoping down to a size that could be drilled and tapped for a 2-56 screw, but you'd also have to modify the truck bolsters in a similar way.

I agree with Dr Wayne. The best woulld be to change to screw mounting; I did a How To for freight cars a few years ago, and an IHC passenger car should go in a similar fashion.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/194011.aspx#2118137

You may have to copy and paste the link due a software glitch in the forums websitee progrmming

[hon30critter]

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/194011.aspx#2118137

Clickable link.

Dave

[mbinsewi]

Thanks Dave, it was cool to be able to read on, and see the comments.  Very typical.

Mike

[dstarr]

6-32 pan head machine screws worked just fine for me.  The threads will bite into the stock plastic holes.  I have an IHC streamliner train will all 6-32 screws securing the trucks.

 

[richhotrain]

Don, I have several of the push pins on hand. They are yours if you want them. The push pins are black, correct?

Rich

[zstripe]

I have always used self-tapping screws for attaching trucks to the pin-type bolsters. Works every time, no drilling, filing etc. You can even use a machine screw, it will make it's own threads in the plastic...that's what Accurail did to replace their mounting pins

A handy chart for self-tapping screws of all small sizes...good to have around for future projects:

http://www.fasnetdirect.com/refguide/sthole.pdf

Take Care! 

Frank

 

[DigitalGriffin]

richhotrain

Don, I have several of the push pins on hand. They are yours if you want them. The push pins are black, correct?

Yep those are the ones.  But the machine screw + washer actually worked (with some persistence).  So I'm set.  

Thanks Randy