n scale life like gp60 micro trains coupler conversions

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

hello, i really dont post much here anymore, but thanks to a good online friend he persuaded me into asking around about a problem that i have run into,

I purchased a life like, gp-60 engine which came with atlasiz fake nuckle trucks, i believe they do this so they will go along with any micro trains rolling stock that you own. As usual the wonderful atlas trucks fell apart which led me to taking the body of and seeing whats up i decided to remove the front one mainly cauz its used the least on my layout. after taking the screw out i noticed that the litle square hole that the body mount coupler screws into is stripped, they guys at the hobby shop said they could fix it for about 25 bucks, which i think is alot, anyone have any advise on what to do, also what to get thats easy to change and to fix the stripped hole??

thankss for your time,

Tim

2

Tim: I’ve not tried this, but am all in favour of saving $25 whenever possible[:D] For the srew to work again, it has to have a new thread to bite in to. It you were to fill the present hole with a glue or silicone caulk, and replace the screw before the glue set solid, that should do the trick. Since this is a peice of equipment you seldom use, the need to take the screw out again is reduced. Besides, I am guessing that the screw would be removable even if ACC were used.
Hope this helps.

3

Tim, if this is simply a matter of getting the screw to hold in the stripped out hole, I think I would try a slight variation on John’s advice. Try putting a drop of oil on the screw, then some epoxy, and put it back in place without the truck. You should be able to unscrew it when it dries. That idea may be a little more dangerous than you are willing to try, but you could do a test with another screw and a hole in a piece of scrap material.

Another idea is to fill the old hole by gluing piece of styrene into it, then re drill it. The styrene should be soft enough to let the screw create it’s own new threads.

If the problem is more than just the stripped out hole, let us know, and we’ll scratch our heads some more.

4

I like the idea of trying a drop of oil in the glue. I don’t know if it will work but you can try it on something else first (as suggested).

5

Jim, you just want the oil or even WD-40 on the screw, not in the glue. The theory is like spraying Pam on a frying or roasting pan. The goal is to have the glue stick to the walls of the hole, and not the screw, so it releases easily. It may be necessary to enlarge the hole, to get enough glue in.

6

I knew that but between my mind and the keyboard things just didn’t work right. [8] [B)]

I had a ton of problems typing yesterday. I need a secretary to type for me. [:D]

Sometimes the mind thinks correctly but getting the info from mind to hands to keyboard to forum just doesn’t go as planned. [B)] [B)] [:(]

However, it does sound like a plan. [:)] I hope it works. [:)]

7

well guys,

I think i really lucked out on this one, i did some research and found microtrains made assembled universal mount couplers which make life alot easier
they simply slide in the original coupler spot, it also comes with enlarged screws, which really helpd fix the stripping problem, once again, a heads up to one of the best n scale train providers, in the world MICRO TRAINS!