Anybody know if the sand and steam domes are cemented on?
I have tried some level of pulling with no success.
i just need to know if I should try a little harder. I just don’t want to break them and the steam dome needs to be a bit taller.
Thanks.
Most of the older ones are not…but theres not much to break…
My experience is that they are part of the boiler moulding. I’ve carved one or two off in my time and filled the holes.
I would cut the dome horizontally with a sharp saw and add some filler to get it to the height you want. Then add a wrapper of thin styrene between the top and bottom rings - they will be un-noticeable when painted. Or use thin brass and don’t paint it!
Pete,
If they are part of the boiler moulding than this one of mine must be defective!
.jpg)
Nope…the saddles are part of the boiler but the domes are not…
Well I put this in a vise with rubber around it and it didn’t budge. Must be some kids tight. I may end up cutting it.
Bart, what are saddles?
Pull the boiler off and see if somebody screwed it on.
Saddles are the molded parts of the boiler that the domes fit into. You can easily see them in the photo that Joe supplied.
Got it. Thanks.
The boiler is already off and no not screwed.
I can see the saddle through the inside and don’t see and glue residue but it is not coming off.
Yet.
Brought the body to work today to use the vise in the machine shop.
No such luck. I tightened it as tight as I dare to.
The machinist (“my hands are like vise grips”) couldn’t move them.
Now the decision is whether to leave it alone and live with the 1/2" or so I was going to add to it or cut it off.
Tap the sand domes with a screwdriver from the boiler side if you can get at it? I’ve had parts that are press fit together that take a bit more than friendly persuasion but they come loose.
That was my first try Craig. No go and I persuaded them quite a bit.
Humm… When I was stripping my GP30 with 90% rubbing alcohol I noticed that some of the press fit parts came apart. You might try that if your planning to repaint anyway.
Thanks for the idea Craig. I will try it. anything beats cutting it since I cant cut a straight line to save me.
Interesting, Joe. When I get a minute I will check my Big Hauler parts box and see what I got.
Jeff - I stick by my original answer. Cut the dome horizontally with a hacksaw, glue something inside to make it taller, and put a wrapper over it to hide the joint.
Yup. Looks like that will be the only way Pete if the alcohol doesn’t help.
OK. I looked at my 3 or 4 parts locos. Very curious - a mix of removable and not !
This is a boiler I was making for EBT #6. The domes came from an old-style Big Hauler with a huge stack and a wood load. I couldn’t get them off.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/f2/b1/01/1af42_d23c.jpg)?c=a3ee
Here’s a photo inside the steam dome. I couldn’t say definitely that there is glue holding it together - but it is two different colors of plastic.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/f4/b1/01/1af44_f85d.jpg)?c=e731
But then I looked at some of my old Big Hauler domes. This one came from an original battery loco bought at Toys R Us in the 1980s.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/f0/b1/01/1af40_3f6f.jpg)?c=d903
Note the notch on the rim at the front - you can’t twist it off - you have to pull it up. Joe - are yours like that?
Yes…they are all like that…dowel and a hammer from below usually works for me…
Let me start by saying the old dowel and hammer trick didn’t work.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jswalls110/no._28/DSC_1768_small.JPG)
Oops.
However the other old battery powered engine steam dome came right off.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/jswalls110/no._28/DSC_1769_small.JPG)
Curious.
I guess I will cut it off and see if I can patch it.
Pete,
Yes mine are removable and notched as yours is.
Jeff,
Ouch. Guess you proved they are glued!
I found 2 or 3 in my box, so let me know if you need one.