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Post by rvn2001 on Nov 23, 2017 14:30:48 GMT -5
Just pry it up with a small flat blade screwdriver. It will pop out. Be careful when you cut the coupler box off that you don't remove the little tab that holds the axle in place. Attachments:
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Post by rvn2001 on Nov 23, 2017 14:31:55 GMT -5
Here's the modified truck Attachments:
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Post by rvn2001 on Nov 23, 2017 14:32:53 GMT -5
You will also need to remove the little tab at the bottom of the railing/ladder piece.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2017 16:59:36 GMT -5
Another problem : I found a (prototypical) caboose with the "approximate shape" of Märklin's here and I noticed that the "pivots" are nearer from the endpoints ... as on the picture of the customized car on the "Zelatory" picture. Yes, the original Märklin version runs better through curves with small radii, but as I wrote I will not use less than 270 mm, and I must admit that the "Zelatory" version finally looks better (and I could use Uncle Will's blackened wheels, I have some of them left, they look better than Märklin's "silver" version). So I think that this modified version (too bad for the supplementary costs together with the new trucks) is finally the better solution. I will order the conversion kit together with Bettendorf couplers (without couplers), I have already ordered the couplers and the "drilling accessory". I think mounting of the couplers remains the same ...
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Post by markm on Nov 24, 2017 10:09:09 GMT -5
Alberich, It looks like creeping accuracy is sneaking up on you. Part of the appeal of the Zelatory solution is the accurate positioning of the trucks. Of course you then realize that the Märklin trucks aren't quite right for the caboose so you want to change those. And you are right that then you need blackened metal wheels. Voilà, you have a new unique car.
The couplers will mount as Thom has shown, but I'd suggest waiting for the conversion kit to get the dimensions exact.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 15:04:07 GMT -5
Another problem was this : Since all original MTL wheels (and some of FT, too) were made of plastic (black), I replaced them all with "Uncle Will's" (blackened) for better running, and so it would look silly if only the caboose had "silver" wheels ; and I didn't wanna try to "blacken" them myself, I don't know how Märklin's metal would behave. So all problems, including space between the pivots, are solved at once. I ordered Bettendorf trucks, on Zscalemonster's site they are indicated as one possibility for the "Zelatory" and the caboose, so I think they will be accurate.
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Post by markm on Nov 24, 2017 15:28:59 GMT -5
It's a fun project and I think you'll enjoy it. For metal wheels I generally paint them with a mix of "grimy black" and "rust" applied with a micro brush. If you're doing a lot of wheels, spray paint and a mask that protects the flange works well. For me the hardest part are those times when one needs to paint a white rim: white rim.jpg (30.53 KB) Mark
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Post by markm on Nov 24, 2017 15:32:52 GMT -5
It's a fun project and I think you'll enjoy it. For metal wheels I generally paint them with a mix of "grimy black" and "rust" applied with a micro brush. If you're doing a lot of wheels, spray paint and a mask that protects the flange works well. For me the hardest part are those times when one needs to paint a white. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2017 16:02:28 GMT -5
I have a "chemical blackening", it's a blue liquid and works fine with brass (I don't know if it's the same as used for gun barrels), but as I don't know the exact metal used by Märklin for their wheels (the outer surface looks like nickel or nickel-silver), I could cause more damage than good results ...
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Post by strummer on Nov 28, 2017 12:23:20 GMT -5
FWIW: I had to replace some Marklin wheels, and opted for the Fox Valley product: they are slightly blackened, so they look great. I used the 36" size on these.
The rolling qualities were also vastly improved, so I may replace the wheel sets (33" wheels) on all my MTLs as well.
Mark in Oregon
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Post by rvn2001 on Nov 28, 2017 14:22:08 GMT -5
The Fox Valley wheels will make a big difference in your MTL cars.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 14:28:02 GMT -5
A few months ago I wanted to replace all my MTL plastic wheels with Fox Valley axles (after the topic about more "gunk" on plastic wheels) ; I contacted a German distributor and he answered that Fox Valley's had first to be ordered, he didn't have them in stock, but he had a stock of metallic "Uncle Will's" (= FT) wheels and axles, I ordered them because they are blackened too and compatible with MTL trucks ; and so I came to this version and am satisfied with it ! Some of my FT hoppers (older production ? ) were equipped with plastic wheels, I replaced them too. On my FT hoppers, I had to "graphite" the insulated hub on wheels of every "rear" truck (running the cars with the brake wheel in rear position), I found between 2 and 8 K-Ohm per axle, so I am able to detect them with a voltage divider system (with a comparator and using a time constant), I hope I can this way stop my train in defined positions (with a very little margin) in relation with "loading/unloading" my hoppers.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2017 1:29:22 GMT -5
Problem : when I assembled my conversion kit, I noticed that the screws for the MTL couplers are too long and lift the metallic platforms. How did You solve this problem : - Shortening the screws (filing) ? - Drill a hole through the metallic platform, too ? This solution seems to appear on pictures by rvn2001 ... - Use superglue instead of the screws ? Thanks for any answers ...
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Post by cwrr on Dec 5, 2017 10:51:59 GMT -5
I just drilled thru the metal end platform, that way the coupler box screw is tapped into the meal part for a stronger fit. It doesn't protrude up out of the end platforms so you don't see it anyways.
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Post by smr on Dec 6, 2017 3:15:10 GMT -5
I just drilled thru the metal end platform, that way the coupler box screw is tapped into the meal part for a stronger fit. It doesn't protrude up out of the end platforms so you don't see it anyways. I do exactly the same! Best, Sven
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