Tiny nylon(?) bushing for Kato SDACe locomotive

[carmelmodelrr]

I lost the bushing (washer?) that measures about .3mm diameter which fits onto the end of the drive shaft on the Kato SD70ACe.  I'm going to try our local Ace Hardware tomorrow but I have only faint hopes of finding it there.  Is there a supplier of tiny bushings/washers that any of you use?

Thank you.

Carmelmodelrr

[Olivani]

Kato part #929362 $4.00 has these tiny washers included

https://store.katousa.com/product/worm-gear-and-bushing-assembly-does-not-include-universal-n-scale/

* oohps, you may have to replace the whole worm gear, I zoomed in on the picture, they look different now.

[Southern1970]

@carmelmodelrr not sure if this would work for you but I used a part of the atlas coupler clip to fabricate a bushing for the trucks in my Kato SD40-2.  Below is a link to my post.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=57800.msg795999#msg795999

[peteski]

I doubt these bearings/bushings are off-the-shelf items. Kato likely molds those themselves.  The Kato replacement part Olivani pointed to is likely the best bet for perfect fit. It is only $4 and you will have spare worms bushings and couplings.  Yes, there will be shipping cost, but IMO it is still worth it. Maybe stock up on other Kato parts at the same time to save on shipping costs.

[martin station]

Yes, their shipping is a $9 flat rate so it's a good time to stock up other things that could be needed down the line. I've purchased extra items like horns, a/c units that can be used for other locomotives, ect... Also they are really fairly quick getting the items out the door.
Ralph

[mmagliaro]

I lost the bushing (washer?) that measures about .3mm diameter which fits onto the end of the drive shaft on the Kato SD70ACe.  I'm going to try our local Ace Hardware tomorrow but I have only faint hopes of finding it there.  Is there a supplier of tiny bushings/washers that any of you use?

Thank you.

Carmelmodelrr

Is that 0.3mm diameter number correct?  Now that I see the picture and see what you are talking about, are those nylon washers
over a 1.5mm shaft?  So they would be 3mm in diameter, perhaps, not 0.3mm?   They look pretty thick, maybe .020"  (about 0.5 mm ).  Is
that about right?

These ought to work:
https://www.microfasteners.com/fwn0-0-.065id-1-8od-.010thk-flat-washers-nylon.html
.065" ID is just .006"  over 1.5mm, which is probably good so they don't bind.  And at .010" thickness, you can use
1 or 2 or 3 of them to get just the thickness you need.

This one:
https://www.amazon.com/Washer-Plastic-Spacer-Insulation-Gasket/dp/B0BFDT9HTB?th=1
Has 1.5mm ID, 3.6mm OD, 0.5mm thick.  May be perfect.. .IF you know the actual OD you need and the thickness.

Tiny washers with 1.5mm bore in stainless, phosphor bronze, nylon and teflon (PTFE) come up periodically  on eBay or Amazon,
or microfasteners.  I've made a habit over the years of just hoarding them so I have them for motor and gear
shimming.  It's frustrating to have to hunt for them when you need them.

[Olivani]

Is that 0.3mm diameter number correct?

On the "old version", the two big nylon bushings where made of brass and between the brass worm gear and the brass bushing was a tiny plastic washer.

This picture shows different ones for the RDCs

https://store.katousa.com/product/worm-gear-set-n-scale-7/ 

[peteski]

Yes, these worm assemblies are from the more recent Kato models using the delicate fine-pitch gears. I also seem to recall that  the original design used brass bearings/bushings, and the later ones were made from Nylon.


Max, I  don't have one of those handy but I don't believe they are not the typical 1.5mm shafts. They are smaller (1mm maybe?).  Anyway, why Micky-mouse it when the correct parts are inexpensive and readily available?  The other examples you mentions are also available mail-order, so there will be shipping charges involved.  That's my 5-cents.

The out of stock RDC parts have the older, coarser pitch gears.