While weathering some of the trucks on freight cars, a few screws pins flew off. I read that you want to replace them with screws. Can anyone pls help me find the screws I need that connect the wheelsets to the body of freight cars? What size would I need and where to get them?
TIA!
Lee
You need 2/56 screws; i.e., size 2 diameter, 56 threads per inch. Length will depend upon the particular brand name of the rolling stock, but usually ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
A well-stocked hardware store should have size 2 machine bolts, which is what they would be called.
What do you mean by “screws pins”. Some mfg use screws and in most cases they are 2-56. Some mfg use plastic “pins” some being friction fit and some snap in. The hole for the pin is usually too large for a 2-56 screw. You can drill out the hole to 1/8" and glue a plug of 1/8" evergreen tubing in the hole and cut flush. The hole in the tubing is just the size for a #2 self taping screw. Also the hole in the truck bolster for the pin will be a sloppy fit for a #2 screw. You may want the replace the trucks also.
Gidday Lee, to add to the good advise you have already received this is what I do if the “pin” hole is too big.
I use CA adhesive to fit an appropriate sized piece of leftover sprue into the hole, cut, and file it flush…
…then drill and using my 2-56 tap, thread the hole.
If required here’s a link to a current thread on tapping 2-53 threads.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/212215.aspx
Cheers, the Bear.
To fill a larger hole, you might want to check out this page.
I read the information provided on the link and I agree with most of it. I’ve glued the draft gear boxes together before, and it’s a real pain to replace couplers if the boxes are glued together. I just use the screw used to hold them in place (as suggested in the link) to hold them on the car.