Re: Freight car help needed

Thanks for the reply. You have all been a great help.
Jeff

"David Starr" <dstarrboston@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:_Y6dne_rv_8jlGrZnZ2dnUVZ_qidnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jeff Stanton wrote:
I have several freight cars with trucks that I am unable to tighten and,
as a result, they wobble down the track. It appears that the threads
have been stripped, and the screws no longer hold. Does anyone have
suggestions for solving this problem?

Jeff


I assume the cars are plastic. In this case, you can remove the trucks
and the screws or pins that secure them. Use plastic rod (sprue often
works) to fill in completely the truck screw holes. Glue the rod with
that clear watery plastic cement. Let dry thoroughly (overnight). Cut
the rod off flush with the truck bolsters and then file or sand a flat
smooth surface for the truck to mount on. Get some pan head machine
screws 3/8 " long and either 6-32, or 4-40 if the 6-32 screws won't go
thru the hole in the trucks. Mark the center of the new truck hole with a
sharp punch, making enough of a dimple to guide the drill. Use a pin vice
and a #43 drill for 4-40 or a # 36 drill for 6-32. Drill clean thru until
the drill breaks thru inside the car. Give the truck bolsters one more
swipe with the file to clear off any drill shavings.
Then drive in the machine screws, letting them cut their own threads into
the plastic hole. Old timers go for a "three point suspension, one truck
as tight as possible (short of sticking) and the other truck a bit looser,
allowing a little side play to let the wheels follow minor imperfections
in the track.

David Starr


.

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