Gentlemen, long story short. Before B’mann Connie or K27, I wanted an outside frame mikado I could afford. Accucraft and Berlyn were far above any budget. Route I went was an Aristo Mikado, driver size scaled close.
Obviously, many complications would occur, especially for one with very little building/modeling experience and no metal working ability or tools. Any knowledge I possess has come from Large scale sites. I did not want to replace any axle with longer ones + the aristo problem with loose drivers had to be considered.
Solution I arrived at is a self-contained frame and counter-weight assembly requiring only one connection to aristo drivers. Counter weights will revolve via connection from counter weight axle to crankpin on one of the powered aristo drivers.
QUESTION: How can I make this connection where crankpin end must rotate and axle connection must be fixed. Distance center to center is 9mm so gears seem impractical even if available. My counter weights at this time are fashioned from plastic B’mann drivers so as to have an accurate spacing on all four and has a 1/4 inch axle which protrudes thru frame towards but not touching aristo drivers. My solution at this point is a sleeve over the counterweight axle with 2 diametrically opposed holes. A stiff enough wire (rod) with an eye at crankpin connection would protrude thru the sleeve far enough that it wouldn’t slip out of sleeve. Sleeve would be hard fixed to axle, with counter weight solidly attached to that axle on outside of frame .
Theory is almost backwards from reality. Here the drivers turn, a connection via driver crank pin then turns the counterweight axle, which via siderods turns the remaining 3 counterweights and then back up the chain to the valve gear. Will it work? Sure hope so but not betting any pink slips
I am stopping production at this time until you experts speak. Thanks in advance. Ted “Zippo 6”
PS: I would love to answer any other questions as to process so far. I will ultimately take photos before final assembly. Timing would indicate that this has been a 10+ year back burner project.