I was recently given a box of varried model railroad things. In it was a 6 axle crane, made in Austria. All the threads for the hooks and boom lift are in place and work. When I open the top, I can pull up the boom with the piece underneath the cover. However, there is no apparent way to keep the boom lifted. Second problem is that the boom drops completely down, not held in position to stay above a tender car. Would be nice to be able to at least have it in one position or the other to make it look useful. (My old Lionel crane had cranks to raise and lower the boom and the hook. No such things on this.)
Any thoughts on keeping it in a “normal” position.
You don’t mention whether or not…it has cable’s or hydraulic’s. In any event, I would look into using .015’’ Music wire from K&S or Phospher Bronze wire from Tichey, same size .015’'. I know for a fact…I would be able to do it…I love a challenge, like that.
Have Fun! [:D]
Frank
BTW: I just picked up…You said threads…so I’m guessing cable. Got a pic’.??
My ‘big hook’ stays in place because of friction. The wheels, pulleys, gears etc have enough friction to keep my crane at any level. I removed my hand crank for realism but I can still turn the wheels with my fingers to raise or lower the boom. Maybe you could make a plastic shim or washer that puts pressure on the gears so they don’t turn so easily.
I would not glue the boom in place but if you do, use white glue so you can remove it with water.
Probably some version of the Roco crane I’d imagine. Many of those just have several openings in the side of the housing or winches into which you’d stick a bent metal “key” to turn the drums. The Walthers (old Train-Minature or whatever) 25-ton cranes have a similar set-up. What I do is take a minature screwdriver with a flat blade small enough to slide into that hole to turn the mechanism. Presuming it is correctly rigged, you should have two lines to winch in or out – The one for the lift hook cable and another to raise and lower the boom.
One way to hold the drum if its friction is up to it is to take a small piece of phosphor bronze sheet and bend it back on itself at the end. This can be slipped into the area between the drum and the frame holding it. If you can jam it in, it should hold.
It is a cable lift, the threads are what are used as cables.
I hadn’t looked inside using a light to see that there were gears and the like.
Glanced at your responses before going to a train show today. Low and behold, there was a similar crane up for sale. First glance showed me what was missing. Instead of bent keys it had two shafts going through the windows with a knurled knob on the end to operate the boom and cables.
Now to figure out what I need for key end to fit over the hidden shaft.