source for spare parts I always loose on the floor and can't find :)

[John]

What size are the screws used to hold atlas frames together? 

Anyone have a commercial source for the insulating bushing used to keep the frame half insulated?  Hex nut?

[Ike the BN Freak]

Pretty sure the screws are 2-56, not sure the length of the screw.

[carlso]

John,


I have purchased both of your items from KATO parts and also, I believe from Atlas. Check their web pages.

Carl

[peteski]

The screws have sheet metal type threads (not machine screw threads) so I don't think 2-56 would be applicable. They also have truss head.  As far as the washer and nut, I don't think those are commercially available products. I think those are molded by the manufacturer of the model (probably on the same tree as the truck parts.

Yes, the screws are available from Kato.  Not sure about the washer and the nut (check online parts diagrams of the locos in question).

[John]

John,


I have purchased both of your items from KATO parts and also, I believe from Atlas. Check their web pages.

Carl

Carl .. I know that I can get them from the parts shops .. what I'm hoping to get is a bulk source for these kinds of parts ...

[peteski]

You lose *THAT* many of them?
You can most likely find similar screws, but good luck with the other items.

[John]

You lose *THAT* many of them?
You can most likely find similar screws, but good luck with the other items.

no . but when I do it's at a bad time

[peteski]

no . but when I do it's at a bad time

I know this is not the answer you want but why not invest in a "watchmaker's apron"?  I had my neighbor (seamstress) make one for me. I picked up some fabric in a local fabric store and she created an apron with a strip of Velcro sawn into the bottom edge. Then I stuck the other part of Velcro under my workbench. When I sit at my workbench I wear the apron and stick it to the underside of my bench. It catches all those parts which would otherwise end up on the floor.  It works really well and I don't have to search for misplaced parts anymore.  Well, sometimes I forget to wear it, but then it's my own fault.

Here is a similar idea (except on mine, the Velcro "hem" attaches to the underside of the workbench, not at the edge).
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/catching-stray-parts/

[John]

great idea

[Chris333]

Bushing:
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_81&products_id=5802
Nut:
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_81&products_id=5808

[peteski]

But are those Bachmann items also compatible with Atlas and Kato?

[u18b]

Ahhhh grasshopper, my son.....

You need to go to Hobby Lobby or other store and buy a strong magnet.

Best way to find steel screws.

(and lots of other things!)

[MK]

Get one of these:

https://www.harborfreight.com/17-in-mini-magnetic-sweeper-62704.html

Then put a towel on your work bench.  Any small parts that you drop will not bounce of to space and get "absorbed" by the towel.  Get a white one.    We do this when working on R/C cars and helicopters where there are small parts and screws.

[peteski]

Um, the nuts and washer/spacer parts are plastic. 

[Tom Todd]

Microfasteners.com

TomTodd