Large Scale Central

Un-known upgrades or repairs?

General Discussion
#1

A post from this thread http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=14273&p=2 by Bob Cope made me remember something from my days at Niagara Hobby as the RC car repair and build tech. When I would build a car kit for a customer I had a standard “set” of upgrades I did or tweaks to get the truck or car to perform better or last longer.
Back then most of the RC car & truck kits we sold came with plastic bushings which worked but not for long. We always tried to get them to upgrade to bearing sets but to many parents already dropping $250 to $600 on this “toy” an added cost of $50 to $100 was unacceptable. I had found a source then for Brass oilite bushings that would replace the high wear spots on teh cars relatively inexpensively and if they did not upgrade part of my “fee” for building the kit included this upgrade automatially. There were other things I did that deviated from the standard assembly of some kits. What got me thinking of this was when Bob stated “The only modification from bone stock is the addition of a Phoenix sound card installed by RLD Hobbies (great job BTW)” after Barry stated that his basic upgrade was to the motot mount. Who’s to say That Robbie did not “fix” the motor mount while he had the loco apart? A zip tie or better Hot glue or something simple with very little extra time or money on his part saves a return shipment and much more “repair” time later. I always thought of it as good pre-emptive customer service. Maybe I’m wrong? Just a thought.

Chas

#2

Chas.,

To answer your pondering, I can tell you there were no ‘upgrades’ other than the sound card. Robbie and I talked a while deciding how to install it in a manner I could afford after the cost of the card. The method chosen was to use a reed switch on one axle of the tender, not necessarily perfectly timed with the cylinders, but acceptable to me. This was right at a year ago, I sent RLD the tender only. Robbie did a wonderful installation based on our agreement, and he delivered the tender (along with some other items) at the South East Garden Railroad Show in Dalton, GA last year. When I said my K-27 was ‘bone stock’, I assure you it is. (I sure would have loved to have a free upgrade though :slight_smile: )

I have commented in several posts that I feel lucky to not have experienced any of the bad things that have been posted here. My loco has been a good performer right out of the box, as have all my B’mann locos (36 Ton Shay, Heisler, and old Climax). I am sure the shay and climax have the old trucks and drive shafts that I read so much about, but until they break, my budget goes for track. My Christmas this year was a Spectrum Connie and a Rail Truck. We will see how these do.

Some day I will get the courage to dive in to the K and see what needs fixin’. So far I don’t have any indication of loose motor mounts, loose counter weights (even tho the box does not have the indication of corrected counter weights), or high temperature running (other than the heat from the Florida sun). I also hope I have not jinxed myself making these statements :slight_smile: .

I like your philosophy on customer service, too bad the usual people today don’t believe as you do.

Bob C.

#3

Bob, make sure you search out and perform the Rail Truck procedure…

#4

Cale,

Could you be a bit more specific in defining ‘the Rail Truck procedure’. I searched ‘rail truck procedure’ and got quite a list of threads that could refer to what you are telling me.

Thanks,

Bob C.

#5
Bob Cope said:
Cale,

Could you be a bit more specific in defining ‘the Rail Truck procedure’. I searched ‘rail truck procedure’ and got quite a list of threads that could refer to what you are telling me.

Thanks,

Bob C.


Bob,

The Rail Truck Procedure is kind of like a super secret handshake. Ya gotta be part of the narrow minded conspiracy to gain access. I’m not on the list. :stuck_out_tongue: :lol:

#6
Steve Featherkile said:
Bob,

The Rail Truck Procedure is kind of like a super secret handshake.


Cool!!! I love S.S.H.S’s or is that 'es
Cale has the football and codes??
:wink: