Removing Kato SD-80 Shell?

[sizemore]

Can anyone give me some pointers on removing the SD-80 shell? I'm at a loss!

Thanks,
The S.

[choochin3]

Tim,
You could try the Feather River cab shell removel tool.

[sizemore]

Tim,
You could try the Feather River cab shell removel tool.

LOL. The hammer eh? I wasn't hoping to go that route!

I found this...http://www.nscalesupply.com/decoders/katosd8090/KatoSD8090-1.html

But for some reason the frame portion seperates from the sill, creating a problem removing the shell so I assumed it comes apart seperately. I'll attack it again tonight.

The S.

[SirTainly]

Assuming it's like the AC44s then yes the frame and sill do come apart. Try to get something under the frame and lift both together.

[pedro]

This works almost every time:

[choochin3]

Holy crap,that looks too easy.
I think I'll try it on my older Atlas/Kato GP9.

[Bob Bufkin]

Holy crap,that looks too easy.
I think I'll try it on my older Atlas/Kato GP9.

Sure beats your throwing it against the wall method ;D

[Hyperion]

That's flippin' genius.

Not that it's hard normally, but minimizing the grabbing and pulling on the shell certainly helps if you've got added details and weathering going on.

[choochin3]

Well I tried the plastic box shell removal method on my Atlas/Kato SD9 last night,and failed after several attempts.
I did keep my cool and resisted my urge to remove the shell by hurling the locomotive against the wall.
I finally figured it out after taking a beer break by grasping the fuel tank and wiggleing the cab shell off.
Maybe pulling ones own teeth would be easier. ;D

[tom mann]

I like that GS&M paint scheme.

[sizemore]

I like that GS&M paint scheme.

Leave it to Tom to totally go off topic. There is actually a website/forum related to that road...LMGTFY: http://www.gsmrr.net .

So I tried the "quick drop/sudden stop" method and it worked like a charm. Kinda surprised me how easy and effective it is, wonder how it will work with fully detailed models.

The S.

[wm3798]

You have to remember that Kato shells are designed by the same guys that developed those bar puzzles, you know, with the two bent nails and a horseshoe?

[DKS]

Hmmm... somehow I can't imagine using that technique on a locomotive like this--
 


Myself, back when I had the WR&N, I had a few Katos that were detailed, painted and weathered. The first thing I did when I disassembled the loco for the first time was grind down the bumps on the frame. From that point forward, I only handled the model by the trucks, so the fact that the shell could slip off easily didn't matter.

[sizemore]

Hmmm... somehow I can't imagine using that technique on a locomotive like this--
 
The first thing I did when I disassembled the loco for the first time was grind down the bumps on the frame.

And you have my dilemma. I like to detail my stuff like the exhibit you posted (handrails are the new thing for me to try though!). Filing down the nibs to make the shell come off easier is something else I practice...but with this SD-80 it was a B!+c4 to get the shell off...for the first time. The modern shells are somewhat complex compared to the 2nd gen EMD stuff.

The S.

[oakcreekco]

You have to remember that Kato shells are designed by the same guys that developed those bar puzzles, you know, with the two bent nails and a horseshoe?

Beats the heck out of glue and a body that "just doesn't sit" on the mechanism correctly.