ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Apr 29, 2016 5:44:03 GMT -5
Hi Dom, Next illustration from www.zscale.org should help. The 'small brass cylinder' is the spring inside the coupler box.
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Apr 28, 2016 5:32:25 GMT -5
Dom, there's a limit on how much of the coupler you can cut off. You don't want to cut any moving part of the coupler. see next picture: /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
|
Post by ZFRANK on Apr 27, 2016 15:29:09 GMT -5
Hi Dom, You are proceeding the right way! To fixate the chopped MTL coupler you use the screw that comes with it. The screw will also keep the two coupler box halves together. MTL has a drill and tap set to create the required treaded hole. You can indeed us a styrene shim, but I started to us a brass shim eventually. By using the screw to hold the chopped coupler, you can also replace a coupler when it would be defective. At the left side you see a little brass pin which aligns with a hole in the loco body when glueing to it. The right side is the threaded hole for the coupler screw. Drill the required holes in a scrap piece of brass. When holes are oke, cut the shim to the required size. This is much easier that making a shim and do the drilling in such a small piece. This has proven to me a reliable coupler interface. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
|
Post by ZFRANK on Apr 14, 2016 5:18:33 GMT -5
Lack of the right caboose pulled me into scratch building, which is a also a lot of fun besides scenery stuff.
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Apr 2, 2016 5:16:06 GMT -5
I recall that Gerd did a GP35 shell on a GP30 chassis. The GP38-2 chassis is too long. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
|
Post by ZFRANK on Mar 31, 2016 5:31:06 GMT -5
Hi Dom,
I did use a sharp hobby knife (alike X-acto). But I also did assemble my couplers myself.
/Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Mar 31, 2016 5:27:53 GMT -5
Hi, is the color of the WP1983 green or gray? I hope it is a lighting issue in this picture.
/Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
|
Post by ZFRANK on Mar 30, 2016 14:09:19 GMT -5
Has anyone had success cutting off the AZL coupler from an AZL locomotive and replacing it with an MTL magnetic coupler? If so, can you describe the process? see my picture album of my GP38-2 into GP40-2 conversion. It also describes how I installed body mounted MTL couplers. Follow next link to see all pics: link/Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Mar 20, 2016 8:46:47 GMT -5
Hi all, See attached picture I made in Little Rock Ar some years ago, not knowing it would become helpfull. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Mar 15, 2016 6:31:50 GMT -5
Here now some pictures showing the height difference....and the fix! I had to mill and saw the chassis to bring the shell right down, now the shell is resting on the circuit board holders. I offer the conversion now, you can contact me via PM or on my Facebook page if you are interested. Before: After: Hi Gerd, Thank you for sharing the pictures, it is now clear to me. First I had the impression from the conversation that the shell was too low... Lowering the shell definitly improves its appearance. Now I am well informed/prepared for when my road choise will be launched. Is there still enough room for the pcb? /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Mar 13, 2016 17:07:20 GMT -5
Maybe you can lift the shell just a litle. What if you put it next to a GP30 or GP38-2? Since the. SD40-2 and GP35 from MTL are also a little off size.. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Feb 2, 2016 6:56:59 GMT -5
You are right Gerd, it is no rocket sience. I was able to build my SW1000 without any fancy tools at the kitchen table. See next link for who is interested to give it a go. link to my SW1000 picasa album.I am a little disapointed that we saw so few scratchbuild switchers in the forems. /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Jan 17, 2016 8:18:29 GMT -5
Hey Rob, that is a great looking Grande SD45 with double headlights! /Frank
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Jan 17, 2016 7:45:21 GMT -5
That is a great looking GP30 Gerd!
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ZFRANK
Fireman
If you can't get it.....build it yourself....
Posts: 92
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Post by ZFRANK on Jan 17, 2016 7:41:36 GMT -5
Great scene Rob! Very well done.
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