Can anyone tell me how many gears you get from Northwest Shortline; when you order them for the USTrains locos ?
The price quoted on their web page is $14.95…for one ? Or for 4.
Looks like a lot of people around here need them…
Hi Fred.
If the gear itself is OK and they have cracked sides that hold the metal axles they can be repaired quite easily.
I don’t have any more sleeves available but K & S make a thin brass tubing that is a perfect fit.
Here is the procedure.
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=6305
It would be best to use a roller cutter to cut them to length.
Fred,
That price Sir, is for one gear! Its a lousy situation with USA Trains refusing to sell anything but complete wheel sets and gear. I have been looking for replacements elsewhere.
there are several companies making plastic gears. I have not as yet been able to locate them as a stock items but I am crap at understanding their specs.
I have had a couple offer to quote a price on making them if I provide the specs or a sample I want made. trouble is I don’t have any good ones!
Andre’
As Tony said, no need to replace the gear if the only issue is the cracked sleeve.
If you can’t find the correct brass tubing, TOC documented a method using fishing line and CA glue to close and repair the cracks.
I’ve used both methods. Tony’s sleeves are much faster, but in my case they were not a tight fit. TOC’s method is tedious but works great. I still have about 6 sets to repair someday.
USA was giving out free replacement axles if you found a problem with a new loco, but that has probably dried up by now.
Jon
Good solution IF the issue is cracked sleeve. Everyone of mine is a shredded gear problem.
I’ve emailed Ralph Brades, a UK engineer and LS train buff. He makes all his locos and is VERY fluent in gearing etc. I asked him to look into a source for the gears as I can’t make head nor tails of them.
Andre’
If buying a replacement axle, the whole motor block is under $30.00.
There are 2 types of 2 axle motor blocks from USA.
Guess I grew up in the wrong era…We used to repair things rather than chuck it and replace it. Tinkering is part of the enjoyment for me.
I still prefer that method. Makes no sense to make getting parts such a chore. But USA isn’t the only problem. Ever try getting parts from Bachmann?
Sure glad firearms haven’t gone this route. I’d be out of a PT job.
Andre’
The problem is that it’s not just a gear you need, but a gear with a tube attached to each side, all non-conductive. I use Tony’s sleeves, and it fixed my locos great. I’d advise repair unless you just have one loco.
Regards, Greg
Andre Schofield said:Electronics are the worst. TVs, stereos, etc. Unless it's brand new and under warranty, it costs more to get it repaired than to replace it.
Guess I grew up in the wrong era....We used to repair things rather than chuck it and replace it. Tinkering is part of the enjoyment for me. I still prefer that method. Makes no sense to make getting parts such a chore. But USA isn't the only problem. Ever try getting parts from Bachmann?
Then there’s computers – obsolete long before they ever break down, and you can hardly even give away an old (yet operable) computer.
I for one still believe in the repair it, don’t junk it ethos.
I still drive two 30+ yo cars. I can still get most of the mechanical parts and the body panels. Some plastic trim bits are getting hard to find but if you search diligently enough…
One thing about LGB that I have always admired is, that you can still get mechanical spare parts for most things they made over the years.
In fact the only LGB componenets I have ever seen wear out were motors, gears, wheels and sliders. The wheels & sliders never have worried me because I don’t use track pick ups.
I occasionally get back controllers Neil Dyson and I made I made nearly 20 years ago. If I can still get the parts I will repair them if I can.
Now that I have purchased new gear and wheel assemblies for my GP-38 and installed them I opened up the GP-9 and all the gears are cracked in it so will try and repair them. Since I don’t have a local hobbie shop to walk into with the cracked gear can someone give me the size I need to ask for when I begin making phone calls trying to locate the tubing? Also is the tubing brass or copper?
Terry.
One thing your LHS may stock is K & S brass strip and tubing.
I am not sure what the exact size is but K & S make a tubing size that is ideal. I think it ½"
Remove the wheels from the gear and take the gear to a LHS that sell K & S and see if they do have it in stock.
You do need to be careful cutting the piece to length otherwise the tubing can squash down. I used a NWSL tube cutter which is a roller that cuts as it rolls.
If the above proves difficult to locate you can do it the easy way.
Remove all the wheels from all of the gears, cracked or not. Wash the plastic parts thoroughly with a grease remover and then bind the outer shafts with a strong cotton thread. Do not make the threads too thick. Once around tightly bound is OK. Flood the cotton thread with super glue. Let the glue dry and then press the metal wheels back into the plastic parts.