Hallmak 2-10-4 Traction Tires

[FlyGuyB]

My brass Hallmark 2-10-4 needs a new set of traction tires. Anyone know where I might be able to obtain a new set, or what is useful as a substitute other than BF Snot?

[victor miranda]

what size is the driver set?

I ask because I have a number of different drivers and not the locos.
(and traction tires)

we may have to do a little hunting.

victor

[mmagliaro]

Kato GS-4 traction tires should work well, but you will need to cut a thin strip of masking tape and wrap it around the wheel
at the bottom of the traction tire channel before putting the tire on.  Otherwise, the tire won't be thick enough to
protrude up to the wheel edge to get a grip.

[Big Train]

I never thought about using masking tape to prevent the traction tire from bottoming out in the driver groove. Would a thin application of Bullfrog Snot help here?

Just wondering

[mmagliaro]

I never thought about using masking tape to prevent the traction tire from bottoming out in the driver groove. Would a thin application of Bullfrog Snot help here?

Just wondering

It might.  But I think the tape is easier.  Cut a really thin strip with an Xacto and a steel straight edge, wrap it around,
and it makes a perfectly uniform layer.

[peteski]

The only thing that worries me about the masking tape is the adhesive. It is not designed for long-time applications and as any other pressure sensitive adhesive, it it might soften or melt when in contact with lube oil or track/wheel cleaning fluids.  It can turn into a gooey mess.

[mmagliaro]

The only thing that worries me about the masking tape is the adhesive. It is not designed for long-time applications and as any other pressure sensitive adhesive, it it might soften or melt when in contact with lube oil or track/wheel cleaning fluids.  It can turn into a gooey mess.

Point taken. 

But really, underneath a traction tire on a wheel, I would not expect oil or any other fluid to get down in there.
(I have more than one engine I've done this to that has never had any troubles).
A lot of folks use little strips of masking tape under an axle bearing to push a traction tire driver downward so it
has more pressure on the rails.  And if anything were going to get some oil on it,
it would be a bearing.  I've taken engines apart after running for years with those little nibs of tape in a bearing, and sure,
the adhesive has become soft, but the tape happily stays there intact.  In the case of a TT driver, you might worry that if
the adhesive lets go, then the whole tire, tape and all, would slip around the wheel.  But even
masking tape adhesive that has softened up is pretty darn sticky.  The rubber tire around the whole thing tends to make
things stay put.

Remember, if it doesn't work for you, the worst thing you have to do is take the tire off, remove the strip of tape,
and maybe clean out some goo with alcohol.

[sizemore]

If that much oil is leaking out of your locomotive. You've got other problems.


The S.

[peteski]

If that much oil is leaking out of your locomotive. You've got other problems.


The S.

LOL!
Have you seen many factory-new models coming out of China in the last 15 years?  Many are so overlubricated that the oil actually drain into the shell and often even flows down into the packaging (either the vacuu-formed tray or the foam rubber cradle.

If masking tape works for you, so be it - I just don't trust it and I have had bad experiences.  Greasy gunk from the track will get onto the traction tires and often travel down its sides into the groove.   YMMW.

[havingfuntoo]

Rather than using masking tape , you might look for some double sided tape, the type that is used to hold down carpet on the floor or to stick car decoration parts on to the externals of cars. (not the reinforced type) Both these types of double sided tape are very thin, equivalent to masking tape but offer a resistance to being attacked by some of the materials mentioned above and are very stable and are permanent. Toluene is the usual solvent used to remove these type of adhesives which is a solvent that is not commonly available or used by the general public.   

[Loren Perry]

Here's an idea - fine an appropriate diameter black-colored heat-shrink tubing at Radio Shack, stretch it over a short length of dowel or Plexiglass, chuck the whole thing into a drill press or lathe, and use a sharp No. 11 blade to cut off rings of the right width. Then stretch the rings (now traction tires) onto the driver.

Or something like that.

[Big Train]

I know model aircraft builders use very thin masking tape to sharply define camouflage colours when airbrushing. The thinest I've seen is 1/16".

There is this:

https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=PROBAND_AUTO_%20MASKING_TAPE&NBReset=3

and this:

http://3mcollision.com/products/masking/233-plus-tape?aad_width_navigation=1091

I'm sure any automotive supply place will have something similar.

Back in the day before computer graphics, the art department where I worked used ChartPak and LetraSet tapes of different widths to create graphs for presentations. This stuff may still exist for arts & crafts people (<humour> along with popsicle sticks </>).

just another idea....

[Big Train]

I know model aircraft builders use very thin masking tape to sharply define camouflage colours when airbrushing. The thinest I've seen is 1/16".

There is this:

https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=PROBAND_AUTO_%20MASKING_TAPE&NBReset=3

and this:

http://3mcollision.com/products/masking/233-plus-tape?aad_width_navigation=1091

I'm sure any automotive supply place will have something similar.

Back in the day before computer graphics, the art department where I worked used ChartPak and LetraSet tapes of different widths to create graphs for presentations. This stuff may still exist for arts & crafts people (<humour> along with popsicle sticks </>).

just another idea....