Hi i wanted to know how to re attach side rods to marx locomotive that have broke off
and what type of rivet and tool can be use to do this im just starting to repair some of these old locos that i find and just need a little info on how to fix the side rods
If you are talking about connecting the drive rods back to the wheels on something like the 666 locomotive this is a little different than using rivets. Marx used a technique that had a hard but somewhat malleable metal stud in the drive wheels. You can sometimes carefully tap down with something like a center punch and enlarge the face of the stud enough to secure the drive rod. Sometimes the old stud is so brittle it keeps breaking as you keep tapping. Then you need to clean it all out and try a self tapping screw into the resulting hole. Or not… You might be able to get drivers from The Robert Grossman Company, www.trainpartsformarx.com Grossman can also help with “rivets” or really eyelets for other parts. Mr. Grossman is very helpful and enjoys talking about Marx equipment… try him at 216-738-0606 Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
You can tap the drivers to accept small screws. I have a Marx motor that someone had done that to. It looks and works fine.
Jim
Lonny e,
Just wanted to add a Welcome to the Forum. I was having computer problems last night and just posted my response to your question and went on. Remembered your very low post count but by then I was out-of-here for awhile scannning ye olde hard drive. There are quite a few Marx operators here and there is another group on Yahoo if you feel the need for more conversations. Marx made one rugged toy train engine and they still give a lot of pleasure to the users. The 333 locomotive (their best IMHO) used the tapped holes in the driver from the get go. They are all a little different, a lot the same but a little different. Look forward to hearing that these dudes are up and running again.