has anyone out there used the "truck turner" to ream out truck sideframes? how well does it work? i see micromark is offering it in their catalog again.
thanks, grizlump
Hi, Grizz. I have one and find that it is quite useful as well as relatively simple and easy to use...a nifty gadget that ranks right up there with other must-haves like an NMRA gauge.
BTW, I think it is called a truck "tuner", as in tuning a radio, or tuning the performance of mass-produced plastic trucks for rolling stock.
I have one ,and I also have some LifeLike and Bachmann cars that now roll better than some of my top of the line cars.I definately would suggest that you buy one.
I've heard good things about it and vaguely remember seeing a photo of one.
Isn't the Truck-turner tool actually a modified "Tap". If so, does anyone know what size and thread pattern it is?
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AntonioFP45 I've heard good things about it and vaguely remember seeing a photo of one. Isn't the Truck-turner tool actually a modified "Tap". If so, does anyone know what size and thread pattern it is?
I have one, it's more like a reamer, it doesn't put threads in the axle socket. It cuts the axle socket in the truck frame to about a 60 degree cone shape and cleans up any flash or burrs in the socket that may prevent the axle from turning smoothly. It's definately worth the money, especially if you have a lot of plastic frame trucks that don't roll easily.
Ok, for the technically minded, it is a double ended 60deg countersink with a plastic grip in the middle to make it easy to rotate. It works wonders on old trucks and can help fit new axels that are slightly too long (most helpful with the Intermountain metal wheel axel sets I bought in bulk). If you don't have enough of an order to get one from Micro Mark (that'll be the day) most trains shows I've been to have had tool vendors with the same on offer. J.R.
This is one of the handiest tools to have in your tool box, right next to your NMRA track gauge. Whenever I buy any rolling stock I check the axles in the trucks to see if they will spin freely in the truck journels . If not I remove all the axles and use the truck tuner on each journel as the tool only cuts on one end. If the trucks are plastic then I press lightly on the journels as I turn the tool and I mean lightly as the tool will cut pretty fast on some of the softer plastics. It will remove any burrs and will contour the holes to better fit the axles ends. If the trucks are metal like some of the older ones then I just put the tool in the journels and put light pressure toward the journel that has the cutting end of the tool in it. Just enough to remove any burrs inside the journel.
I like to replace all the plastic wheels with good metal wheels while I have the trucks apart as I think they roll better and it adds weight down low for better tracking, but that is just my opinion. Sometimes after using the truck tuner the plastic wheels roll just as good as the metal.
Good tool and worth the money!
Hope this helps! Jim
Grizlump, a tip when abuout using the tool. As stated it only cuts on one end, do around two turns then do the other side of the side frame then test fit the wheel set. It is easy to get carried away and remone to much from one side. Will cause the wheel set to be off center.
It is a must have.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
cudaken It is a must have.
I agree.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
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Now if they only did one for N scale.
To quote Tony the Tiger, "It's G-R-R-R-R-EAT!" I used it on some old IHC passenger cars to mount Intermountain wheelsets, and they roll even better than my new Walthers cars.
Handy little gadget!
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I have one. Works great! I am in the process of replacing plastic with metal wheel sets.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I use mine every time I replace plastic wheels with metal ones, which means every car.Outstanding results in "rollability".
My only complaint is that the cutter is on one end and not both. Try to find one with dual cutters and save both time and stress on the sideframes from inserting the tool twice.
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