Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Over here the biggest issue with scratch building is wheel/axle sizes and motor/worm sizes - a real nightmare at times.
GM Aerotrain
- Thread starter rookbartley989
- Start date
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Even just trying to get a motor to axles and wheels when adapting for battery power can be an issue.
rookbartley989
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rookbartley989
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A little more progress sorting out the bogies. These are some testers I printed up to check the ride height coupling. Need to thin out some material above the wheels if I want to use these 31mm metal wheels as they rub. Also need to add about a half inch to the draw bars (?)...
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Agreed, in my 0 gauge days my preference was to get gearbox motor units, save endless issues with gear meshing. But did have to do that for some of my scratch builds - what fun I had!
rookbartley989
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Yes the wheels clip in, a little tight for now but that will be resolved on the final revision. I need to add a little more material to the top to get the 'draw bar' to clear the slot better and extend the arms. Once it's all sorted I'll measure, make bottom plates to print and plate mounts with blind nuts to glue inside the shell. Once it all rolls...then pickups arggg. This thing can't NOT be lighted!
AlanL
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I would print an axle box or simple equivalent to hide the slots from view.
Alan
Madman
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Or simply use LGB ball bearing wheels.
rookbartley989
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rookbartley989
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Another update coming soon. My red, green and warm white LEDs arrived so I will be designing light blocks to plug into the inside of the locomotive and observation coach to be printed in clear. It think I will soften the LEDs up to a more realistic level so I won't have laser beams shooting out of this thing. Also decided my USAT motor block may be a better fit and allow for more movement on turns. Testing resumes tonight!
rookbartley989
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Picture dump from today's work...Amazon did not deliver my springs that go in the axel journals but they should be here tomorrow!
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rookbartley989
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Tonight's progress was mainly on the computer. This model does not have a proper chassis for the locomotive or coaches. I began laying the frame for a chassis by building a 3D USAT motor block and then assembling the mount and side plate files on it...perfect fit. I will use this to test clearances and design the recesses for the thrust bearing and such and adjust everything to the coach height. If anyone has a need for the motor block file for testing their own designs, I'll upload it when I get the wheels on.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Oh no, I am not envious 
rookbartley989
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I buy them from Only Trains...I know, weird name, I was expecting a bunch of trains with no livery on behind a pay wall! $53, but then again I'm on the USA lol...I am!
With the cost of getting USA Trains spares landed here in the UK..
PhilP.
rookbartley989
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Got a lot done last night on the chassis! The drive looks to have a good amount of travel so I'm hoping that it handles turns well. If anyone is interested in the 3D USAT R22-115 for testing designs let me know, I can upload it somewhere. (Ignore the spoked wheels lol) 
rookbartley989
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Printed the test version of the chassis and body mounts for the locomotive tonight, all pieces have pilot holes for melt in blind nuts for M3 screws.
