Does anyone know how long the driveshafts from an atlas japan (aka Kato) RS-11 or RSD-12 are?
I’m wondering since I’m needing driveshafts for a project loco. Buying 2 of these driveshafts will be alot cheaper than buying NWSL rods and ball joints for the same purpose.
What difference does it make? When we scratchbuild we sometimes have to do with something close as opposed to something precise; obviously since you specifically address the diriveshaft lengths from an Atlas RS11 or Atlas’ faux RSD12 you suspect that they are going to be close to the length you are looking for.
Here’s what you do: lay yourself in a pair the driveshafts of these RS11/RSD12s while at the same time lay in some heat shrink tubing–check your Walthers catalog under tubing. There are several manufacturers market this stuff and it can be gotten at craft stores, electrical supply houses, etc. Once you have all this stuff on hand determine whether you need to shorten or lengthen the drive shafts. If the drive shafts are too long then shorten them up, bevel the cut ends 45º, and insert them into a length of this heat shrink tubing. I don’t believe this stuff shortens up when you apply heat but you might experiment just to make sure. Anyway, insert the ends into a length of this tubing, apply heat–usually a hair dryer set on high will do the job–and you should come up with driveshafts very close to your desired length.
If on the other hand the drive shafts are too short all is not lost; figure out how long of shafts you are going to need, cut and fit the ends into a length of tubing; when you have things at the right length apply heat and the job should be done. This tubing maintains a certain measure of rigidity so your joint should not be too awfully sloppy!