Finescale NZR
Discussion of any topic relating to more accurate modelling of NZ railways in any scale. No rivet left uncounted!
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Metal Drivers
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Metal Drivers
The typical way to build a 3/16″ NZR steam locomotive is to use plastic centred drivers with pick ups. The advantage of this is that it’s relatively easy. Disadvantages are:
* Not all wheels are available
* Wheel fidelity is limited by manufacturing constraints
* Crankpin fitting is not ideal (have you ever stripped a thread?)
* Pick ups present an ongoing maintenance issue.
Metal wheels from castings were the only real solution before plastic centres, and with recent technology are more viable than ever. Advantages are:
* Very close to prototype
* Relatively easy to produce, so any wheel can be made, with correct counterweights
* Conductive, so pickups can be avoided with a split frame chassis
* More robust crankpin solutions
The disadvantages are that a lathe is required to machine them, and they take a bit more time to do.
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2 Replies
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Another major advantage over plastic centre wheels is the axle fixing.
If the wheel is made a nice sliding fit on the axle then fixing with Loctite gives a very strong joint and is ideal for fixing in a quartering jig as there is time for adjustments (Just!)
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Lawrences presentation at the recent convention covered much of this ground. More I think about it more I think all metal drivers and a split frame chassis is the way to go. Another advantage no more tyres getting out of line from the centres and causing a wobble.
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