Author Topic: Solve a problem, get something free.  (Read 2824 times)

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randgust

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #15 on: September 03, 2020, 03:57:18 PM »
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I'm on it, see your PM box for my offer.     

thomasjmdavis

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2020, 04:01:28 PM »
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Track power or trolley wire?
DCC?
What are the appoximate inside dimensions?

I have what I think is a TM-04....but is the Chinese made version that comes marked KD-25.  At any rate, whatever I have measures 3.635" (max length)(92.32mm) could be cut down to about 3.375 without hitting a moving part.  Width across the frame is 0.616" (12.65mm)and across the motor mount above the frame is 0.535"(13.57mm).  Only one truck is powered.  No gear tower to speak of.  But given how low the ends are on those little electrics, I can see that it might not fit.


I was under the impression that there was a newer Tomix chassis out there of approximately the same size, with both trucks geared.
Tom D.

I have a mind like a steel trap...a VERY rusty, old steel trap.

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2020, 04:04:13 PM »
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Oh, what's nice about those Kato trucks I mentioned is that the worm and universal coupling is integral with the truck. So all you need to do  is run a driveshaft from the truck  to the motor (and the drive shaft might be included with bot types of truck).

I'm ordering 8 pair anyhow. I might need them for this:

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #18 on: September 03, 2020, 04:07:51 PM »
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Track power or trolley wire?
DCC?
What are the appoximate inside dimensions?

I have what I think is a TM-04....but is the Chinese made version that comes marked KD-25.  At any rate, whatever I have measures 3.635" (max length)(92.32mm) could be cut down to about 3.375 without hitting a moving part.  Width across the frame is 0.616" (12.65mm)and across the motor mount above the frame is 0.535"(13.57mm).  Only one truck is powered.  No gear tower to speak of.  But given how low the ends are on those little electrics, I can see that it might not fit.


I was under the impression that there was a newer Tomix chassis out there of approximately the same size, with both trucks geared.

Ultimately they will be overhead current collection.

You are showing a TM-04, I have several. Right now a lot of the Tomix stuff is difficult to get (out of stock) but as soon as things normalize I got some shopping to do. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

These are powered with the TM-TR04 8 wheel drive
« Last Edit: September 03, 2020, 04:11:17 PM by sd45elect2000 »

peteski

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #19 on: September 03, 2020, 04:26:55 PM »
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Here are those trucks I  mentioned. Silver  one is RDC, black, NW2.


KatoNW2_RDC_trucks04.jpg









RDC:  Wheel diameter: 0.203"; Gear tower height (from top of sideframe): 0.170"; Wheelbase: 0.635"
NW2: Wheel diameter: 0.256"; Gear tower height (from top of sideframe): 0.174"; Wheelbase: 0.602"

The RDC truck would probably be better choice, but the way gear tower is made, it doesn't make it good choice for a narrow hood loco.

. . . 42 . . .

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #20 on: September 03, 2020, 04:36:16 PM »
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Truck wheelbase is .525
Overall wheelbase is  1.340



daniel_leavitt2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #23 on: September 03, 2020, 06:05:04 PM »
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I have a few Peter Witt cars, I had thought about that but the wheels are too small, (the real ones were 36') and they are the wrong truck wheelbase. If I feel the absolute need to make them move I will exercise that option.

I don't know about the street cars, but a lot of the newer Bachmann tracks are interchangeable. The B23-2 and H-16-44 can swap and I think they are compatible with the RS3, GP7, GP40 and others.

Would the S4 or NW2 truck fit on the street car?
There's a shyness found in reason
Apprehensive influence swallow away
You seem to feel abysmal take it
Then you're careful grace for sure
Kinda like the way you're breathing
Kinda like the way you keep looking away

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #24 on: September 03, 2020, 06:19:45 PM »
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I don't know about the street cars, but a lot of the newer Bachmann tracks are interchangeable. The B23-2 and H-16-44 can swap and I think they are compatible with the RS3, GP7, GP40 and others.

Would the S4 or NW2 truck fit on the street car?

It is possible, I have ordered some Bachmann parts including the S-4 trucks yesterday

cjm413

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #25 on: September 04, 2020, 11:43:55 AM »
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Rokuhan Z scale shorty mechanism with regauged wheelsets?

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2020, 11:54:38 AM »
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Rokuhan Z scale shorty mechanism with regauged wheelsets?

Your idea has merit for sure. I have seen powered Z scale GE 44 ton locomotives, a remarkable achievement for sure. I am probably going to get some Z scale parts if not for this project , there may be others.

randgust

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #27 on: September 04, 2020, 01:50:46 PM »
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Having played with Nn3 for a while, and having converted the Rokuhan SSA's to Climax Nn3 drives, the wheels on those have extremely narrow treads and a near-vertical flange.   They are a miniature Kato 11-105 on the trucks (end axle pickups and proper pickup ears), but the worm is not a tower design, pivots at the worm.   It's extremely difficult to redesign the drive for a different motor, I designed a conversion frame system to do it for my Climax kits.   The stock drive is just rocket fast, and you have to have a special throttle to control the original chassis.    I designed my kit to take a 25:1 gearhead, video out on YouTube.

Possible but a solid 10 on the difficulty scale, took me about a year to perfect the frame redesign suitable for a kit.

The Tomytec parts are easy to work with and modify, and with a truck-mounted worm, you can put any motor to it.  Turning the flanges is easy.  If you're looking for either a 12mm or 14mm wheelbase on the trucks, it's hard to beat.   If you want a 5'6" wheelbase and 27" wheels, use the Kato 11-105 truck.   Changing sideframes on the Tomytec is easy, separate part.   Kato requires an overlay on a thinned frame.

The secret to both of these is that the worm is part of the truck, so you're not messing with that tolerance.  That's critical for something that has to negotiate relatively tight curves.    Both Kato and Tomytec use these as tram mechanisms.    I like the Kato RDC/NW2 design too, as that worm shaft is really, really low in respect to the frame height.

I've redone a Bachmann doodlebug with Tomytec parts and a new frame, and redid a Bachmann metroliner drive as well.   I just don't think a whole lot of their motors, but everything else is about the same quality as Kato.   

I've also tried a lot of the Bandai drives - wow, they have bad wheels, and the oddball little Tsugawas.    With a motor swap those little guys have made a dandy drive for a 25-tonner shell.

I had been getting all my stuff from Plaza Japan, but you need to heads up on shipping charges now, one-off orders are really pricy.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2020, 02:05:10 PM by randgust »

sd45elect2000

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2020, 01:59:15 PM »
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Having played with Nn3 for a while, and having converted the Rokuhan SSA's to Climax Nn3 drives, the wheels on those have extremely narrow treads and a near-vertical flange.   They are a miniature Kato 11-105 on the trucks (end axle pickups and proper pickup ears), but the worm is not a tower design, pivots at the worm.   It's extremely difficult to redesign the drive for a different motor, I designed a conversion frame system to do it for my Climax kits.   The stock drive is just rocket fast, and you have to have a special throttle to control the original chassis.    I designed my kit to take a 25:1 gearhead, video out on YouTube.

Possible but a solid 10 on the difficulty scale, took me about a year to perfect the frame redesign suitable for a kit.

The Tomytec parts are easy to work with and modify, and with a truck-mounted worm, you can put any motor to it.  Turning the flanges is easy.  If you're looking for either a 12mm or 14mm wheelbase on the trucks, it's hard to beat.   If you want a 5'6" wheelbase and 27" wheels, use the Kato 11-105 truck.   Changing sideframes on the Tomytec is easy, separate part.   Kato requires an overlay on a thinned frame.

The secret to both of these is that the worm is part of the truck, so you're not messing with that tolerance.  That's critical for something that has to negotiate relatively tight curves.    Both Kato and Tomytec use these as tram mechanisms.    I like the Kato RDC/NW2 design too, as that worm shaft is really, really low in respect to the frame height.

Thanks for that input !!

randgust

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Re: Solve a problem, get something free.
« Reply #29 on: October 06, 2020, 09:55:30 AM »
+1
For the record here - if anybody else but me and Randy are still interested in this....

I developed a new frame using components from the Tomytec TM06R trucks, Atlas pickup wipers, and a Solarbotics 6mm gearhead, everything fits, it runs pretty well.    I'll be casting resin frames in a week or so.    Also made custom cab and frame weights for it. 

That solved the battery-assist body shell.   The other one - the hood is just too narrow to even fit those trucks under so the designer is widening the end hoods out by about .040 to just barely clear the Tomytec truck towers on the inside.  The rest of the drive will be the same.

In this project I found a source of 6mm 5.14:1 gearhead reductions which I'll be experimenting with as well.   Just as small as the Solarbotics GM15A, 3v. take a dropping resistor.

But, if anybody wants to do that battery unit other than Randy, let me know, if there's enough interest I'll put together instructions for a kit, or just do the mechanisms only as a custom build.