"The Tool" Free Rolling part II

[Fergmiester]

Went to a train show yesterday and picked up a little gizmo known as "The Tool". I've seen it advertised in MR and was curious if it actually worked. I have to say I'm impressed as it does make a difference. For those who don't know what I'm going on about, it's a reamer used to smooth out wheel bolsters. The seller also said it would also take the wobble out of wobbly cars. I have yet to see this part but will confirm it first opportunity.

I will say this, once you use it do not put your cars on the bench without stopping them off. They'll take off on you! You've been warned[:D]

Regards
Fergie

[Anonymous]

Fergie, Is this the item sold by Micro-Mark, that reams the pointed bearings in the truck sideframes? The tool I'm thinking of has nothing to do with the bolsters.

Mark

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by deschane

Fergie, Is this the item sold by Micro-Mark, that reams the pointed bearings in the truck sideframes? The tool I'm thinking of has nothing to do with the bolsters.

Mark

[#oops] I didn't mean bolsters[:I] Yes it's the one in Micro Mart and though I paid $16 CDN, it is proving to be worth its weight in gold.

[pepperkay]

If you want to add the icing to the cake as far as free rolling is concerned, check out this product I discovered after getting 'The Tool' (which absolutely works as promised) ...these EZ Rider washers are easy to install and also work as advertised ...

I ordered this product from the Proto 87 website:

http://www.proto87stores.com/p87stores/ ...

Cost is $2.95 for 8 pair (enough for 8 cars) ...

Here's an e-mail that I sent to Andy R. after trying the product ...

" I installed all the washers per your instructions and took a bunch of cars so equipped to our club layout yesterday ... since the original layout was modular, and now permanent, the trackwork is not up to par in several spots and would provide a good test of the system ...

The EZ cars rode smoothly and surely and one could see the difference immediately by noting which cars were stable and which weren't ... made a believer of me and several of the club members who were watching ...

Low speed performance was equaled by high speed performance ... the cars tracked better, rode better and didn't have that 'model railroad lurch' to them ... rock solid stable ...

Consider me sold !! ... I gotta figure out how many cars I have and will place an order for more of the washers" ...

So, if you still have some 'herky jerky' cars, this is the solution ...

Pepper Kay
Garland, TX

PS I have no affiliation with Proto 87 except as a customer ...

[dragenrider]

[#ditto] I, too, recently purchased the "The Tool". I'm very pleased and have been using it while converting all my rolling stock to metal wheels. I recommend it! [tup]

[Virginian]

Gads, I paid $9 for the tool and thought it was a bit steep. Really works on the axle sockets, but doesn't do a thing for the bad wheel wobbles.

[dragenrider]

Wheel wobbles can also be caused by axles being too short and by out-of-round plastic wheels.

[ndbprr]

At the risk of being a curmudgeon the washer idea is a very expensive fix. If they are .010" thick why not just glue a strip of .010 styrene across the mounting hole? the idea makes sense but it shouln't be that hard to implement at a much lower cost.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pepperkay

If you want to add the icing to the cake as far as free rolling is concerned, check out this product I discovered after getting 'The Tool' (which absolutely works as promised) ...these EZ Rider washers are easy to install and also work as advertised ...

I ordered this product from the Proto 87 website:

http://www.proto87stores.com/p87stores/ ...

Cost is $2.95 for 8 pair (enough for 8 cars) ...

Here's an e-mail that I sent to Andy R. after trying the product ...

" I installed all the washers per your instructions and took a bunch of cars so equipped to our club layout yesterday ... since the original layout was modular, and now permanent, the trackwork is not up to par in several spots and would provide a good test of the system ...

The EZ cars rode smoothly and surely and one could see the difference immediately by noting which cars were stable and which weren't ... made a believer of me and several of the club members who were watching ...

Low speed performance was equaled by high speed performance ... the cars tracked better, rode better and didn't have that 'model railroad lurch' to them ... rock solid stable ...

Consider me sold !! ... I gotta figure out how many cars I have and will place an order for more of the washers" ...

So, if you still have some 'herky jerky' cars, this is the solution ...

Pepper Kay
Garland, TX

PS I have no affiliation with Proto 87 except as a customer ...

Man, Pepper, you get around!

Looks like you're really impressed with these things. Glad they're working out for you.