Best way to secure metal handrails to the plastic body of a Athearn kit

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I am trying to attach the handrails to a Athearn switcher. What is the best way to secure them? Glue? Some holes do not appear to be deep enogh.

Thanks,

Kevin

2

Kevin,
there are a couple of different ways of doing this. First thing after you get all the stanchions on the railing, lay tho loco on its side on foam or a soft cloth to keep from scratching it.

2.Then put the end of each of the railings in its 2 holes that it needs to be mounted into.

3.Then start to put the stanchions in the holes where they belong, just get them started and make sure you have the shell off the chassis, this makes it easier. After you get them in all the holes use a very small pair of needle nose plier and force them down in the hole gently. Don’t force them to much or you will bend them. Do this on all the stanchions until they are all in with the needle nose pliers, and be careful.

4.After you have the railing and stanchions on, go one by one and straighten them to the desired position for being straight, now you can do one or 2 things then. You can glue them with a super glue, don’t use allot, it takes just a small amount. Or you can solder them using a small iron and electronics solder, don’t get the stanchion to hot or it will melt through the plastic body and damage the shell.

Good luck to you, these are a pain to put in, just take your time and be careful.

ICRR1964

3

If you need to, drill out the holes a little. Medium or thick Handi Bond ACC should do the trick. Just be careful with it. You dont want to get any excess on the body.

4

Kevin,

I have also used a small drill bit to open the holes up and make them a little deeper. I always seemed to bend the stanchions when I just forced them in or in the worst case you would happen to crack the shell.

Good Luck![tup]

5

I haven’t worked on any of the BB in years, but what I found to eliminate a problem w/ drilling the holes, was to just clip a1/32 off the stanchion. At the same time double check the 90 degree bend. Many times it can be more rounded which if not bent properly will not allow the stanchion to lay flat against the walkway. When pressing them into the shell as mentioned, be careful not to let the pliers slip or major paint damage or scaring of the shell could happen.
After doing a great job on the side railings, Why not add the safety chain when you do the end rails. This can easily be done by either drilling a hole for the eyelet/ liftring or placing the eyelet shank into the shanchion top when securing the already cut end rail.
If you would like to go all out for some of the best rails/ stanchions, try using Smokey Valley- they are the next thing to a brass model rail.
Bob K

6

I use Testors liquid super glue. It’s almost never failed me![:D][:D][:D]