The Athearn site says preorder, Due late May, 2021. ATH60024 Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Hello All,
mbinsewi...you said you had cracked worm gears as well? Would you mind sharing with us what locos you need parts for?
The failed part(s) is/are not the brass worm gears.
It's the plastic coupler, press fit on the metal worm gear shafts to the dogbone, that fails.
They are all Bachmann diesels: GP40s & GP30s.
Bachmann doesn't sell the worm gear assembly with the plastic coupler- -the failed part- -as a separate item.
This part is included in the larger assembly of the Truck Gearbox (HO GP40/GP50/Universal).
At $6.50 each, to harvest the replacement worm gear and coupler, adds up.
I have four GP40s and three GP30s that have had at least one of these worm gear couplers cracked and needed replacement.
Now I have eight of these Truck Gearbox assemblies, minus the worm gear couplers that I have no use for.
I contacted Bachmann to see if the worm gear coupler assembly was available in bulk.
The response was that just buying the singular part was not an option and directed me to the entire Truck Gearbox assembly, which is currently sold out.
I also have an Athearn Blue Box SW 1500 with cracked plastic axles (Part #40023- -discontinued).
The wheels press into the plastic axles but the diameter of the O.E.M. axles are larger than anything currently available from Athearn.
I ordered what I thought would be a substitute from them but they don't fit.
That's why I'm considering 3D printing of these specific parts.
Again, thank you for your question, and...
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I don't know anything about the printing, but you said you had cracked worm gears as well?
Would you mind sharing with us wjat locos you need parts for?
What printed things I have bought, I searched for a dealer on Shapeway's web site.
Mike.
My You Tube
After trying to source replacements for cracked axles and worm gear couplers on several diesel locomotives- -both in and out of production, without success I began thinking...
...Yes, I know that can be dangerous!
My question to fellow forum members:
Do you think these parts could be 3D printed?
Thoughts?
Recommendations on 3D printing services?
Thank you in advance for your comments.