So I bought some cheap IHC 4 wheel passenger cars for my son on his first layout. Unfortunately the bolster pins didn’t stick very well and I already lost one.
I could order replacements online, but I was wondering what I could use as a substitute pin so I could fix it up this weekend.
Would a #6 machine screw do it?
I’m not familiar with the IHC cars. Usually screws to attach trucks are 2-56. A 6-32 would be larger, .135" diameter. The tap drill is a #36, .1065" diameter. It would help if you could accurately measure the pin diameter.
It wouldn’t surprise me. It’s a simple plastic plug friction fit and quite thick. I believe it was .125 across.
You could plug the holes using Evergreen styrene tubing, telescoping down to a size that could be drilled and tapped for a 2-56 screw, but you’d also have to modify the truck bolsters in a similar way.
If the cars don’t have interiors, an easier method would be to cement a piece of thick sheet styrene (060" or thicker) onto the cars’ floor, covering the hole, then drill (#50 bit) and tap it to accept the 2-56 screw.
For the truck, cement a similar piece of styrene to the bottom of the truck’s bolster, then drill it (#42) for clearance.
I’d suggest doing all of the cars, since they’ll eventually all develop the same malady.
Wayne
Although Wayne gives the best and most durable advice, back when I too just wanted to replace the plugs, I made my own out of the left-over sprues from plastic kits. It was futzy work but they were free (and to be sure eventually they too failed).
Dave Nelson
I agree with Dr Wayne. The best woulld be to change to screw mounting; I did a How To for freight cars a few years ago, and an IHC passenger car should go in a similar fashion.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/194011.aspx#2118137
You may have to copy and paste the link due a software glitch in the forums websitee progrmming
Thanks Dave, it was cool to be able to read on, and see the comments. Very typical. [swg]
Mike
6-32 pan head machine screws worked just fine for me. The threads will bite into the stock plastic holes. I have an IHC streamliner train will all 6-32 screws securing the trucks.
Don, I have several of the push pins on hand. They are yours if you want them. The push pins are black, correct?
Rich
I have always used self-tapping screws for attaching trucks to the pin-type bolsters. Works every time, no drilling, filing etc. You can even use a machine screw, it will make it’s own threads in the plastic…that’s what Accurail did to replace their mounting pins
A handy chart for self-tapping screws of all small sizes…good to have around for future projects:
http://www.fasnetdirect.com/refguide/sthole.pdf
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
Yep those are the ones. But the machine screw + washer actually worked (with some persistence). So I’m set.
Thanks Randy