Broken rear stirrup on Kato E8A

[MK]

That looks very good Jason.  Question on those two "tangs".  I'm assuming they go into the thickness of a shell?  Wouldn't that be kind of hard to drill a tiny hole into the center thickness of a Kato shell?

What about making then at the end to bend up and take on to the back side of the shell?  Something like a "Z":

  |  (back of shell, the two "tangs" or could be a horizontally connected piece between the two tangs)
 -   (spans the thickness of your shell like your design so the stirrups can be flush)
|    (stiirrups flush with outside of the both)
|

[randgust]

This shot shows them really well.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/627422/

To which, yes, they should be flush with the outside of the shell, but yes, the plastic ones are also way, way too thick.

I used a pin as a center punch after scratching the plastic with the etched edges, probably drilled about .015, secured with ACC.

[wcfn100]

That looks very good Jason.  Question on those two "tangs".  I'm assuming they go into the thickness of a shell?  Wouldn't that be kind of hard to drill a tiny hole into the center thickness of a Kato shell?

Actually the way it worked out it's not that bad.  The stock steps are used as a guide.  Use something as a center punch just against the outside of the stock step and drill the hole at the same angle as the stock step.  Then remove the stock step.

The biggest issue with the current design is how fine the little whiskers (tangs) are and the fact they are half etched.  Too much bending and they will break off.  If you bend everything in the right order, it's not an issue, but I did beef these up a little in the new drawing.  I may even try a version without the half etch.

Jason

[x600]

Jason's design is very clever!

BINGO!

[Mark5]

If you can wait a bit, I may have a better solution.

I personally don't like the GMM stirrups.  They are too thin, but mostly they don't sit flush to the car side like the prototype.

Here's my solution.  It's doubled over for thickness and is flush to the side but still allows for the mounting holes to be in the centered depth-wise on the shell.



<snip>
Jason

Hot. 

[GhengisKong]

If you can wait a bit, I may have a better solution.







Unfortunately my first try ended up a bit long. Either my measurements are off, or the space between the truck springs and the side sill are shorter on the Kato model than the prototype.



Jason

Some roads had the longer stirrups for the B-units, so you could consider doing both long and short versions. Check out this F7B on Texas & Pacific. I'll try to find more Bs with the long stirrups to see if anyone besides the T&P/MP had longer ones.

[GhengisKong]

If you can wait a bit, I may have a better solution.

I personally don't like the GMM stirrups.  They are too thin, but mostly they don't sit flush to the car side like the prototype.

Here's my solution.  It's doubled over for thickness and is flush to the side but still allows for the mounting holes to be in the centered depth-wise on the shell.





Unfortunately my first try ended up a bit long. Either my measurements are off, or the space between the truck springs and the side sill are shorter on the Kato model than the prototype.

I have a slightly shorter version ready to go but it's going on a sheet with some other items like Mike's switch stand and my Armco CGW depot that I'm still finishing the drawings for.

Hopefully I'll have something to show in the next couple months.


Jason

Bumping this to see if you've made any sets available for sale? I could use some right about now and would rather a whole set of EMD style than getting *just* 32 from GMM.

[peteski]

I used some photoetched steps (I think I bought from JnJ years ago) on some of my locos.  I used a long grinding bit in a Dremel  tool to thin out the shell (from the  inside), so the steps sit closer to the outside surface. Then I glued the steps using some CA glue (again from the inside).

[wcfn100]

Bumping this to see if you've made any sets available for sale? I could use some right about now and would rather a whole set of EMD style than getting *just* 32 from GMM.

The good news is I have that project sitting on top of the pile.  However, I still need to finish the rest of the .2mm sheet with the other projects I want to have etched.

I've spent most of my 'modeling' time recently packing and storing all my train stuff.  With remote learning coming for both my kids and my wife who's a professor, I need to make some space.  Fortunately, this doesn't effect computer work, so I can try and finish up the drawing.

Let me see where all I'm at with the other drawings, and I'll try and give a more solid report.

Jason

[MK]

Patiently waiting. 

[SecretWeapon]

Hey Greg!!!!  how are you? that E-8 looks great!

[x600]

Thanks Mike,

PM Sent!!!!

Greg O.