Tenshodo drivetrain rubber coupling

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently purchased an old Tenshodo (60’s era) 0-8-0 which was just starting to run okay when the rubber coupling between the motor shaft and the gear box disintegrated. Does anyone have a suggestion of what I should use to replace this rubber tube?

2

Well you could:

  1. Contact Tenshodo (if they’re still around…I’m not a brass guy) and see about parts.

  2. If it’s what I think it is, we’re talking clear plastic tubing. Some sizes are found at Home Despot, Lowes, or Frye’s, possibly a pet store for fi***anks. I got some one from a local mom &pop hardware store. Use a lighter/match to shrink it once its on both ends (carefully) and seat it down.

  3. Shrink wrap like for wiring. This would be my last choice, and probably go with a couple of layers. I have used shrink wrap in repowering to coat smaller drive shafts to fit flywheels.

Hope this helps

3

HB;
All that tubing is made of is neoprene rubber. If you have the Tenshodo with an open frame motor all you need is to go to the LHS and get a short piece of model airplane fuel tubing, preferably the thickist you can get with the smallest diameter opening. Lacking that , the spline that is used to hold screening material in aluminum framed window screens is neoprene and this tubing can be had from Lowes, Home Depot etc. I have used both of these to replace the drive tubes in many a piece of brass I’ve repaired over the years.

Tenshodo is still around but they currently only do business in Japan but the new bullet train currently being imported was done in cooperation with Tenshodo.

4

I think this was a popular way to couple the motor to the gear box back then. I have changed my rubber tube drives to Northwest Short Lines U-joints. They are simple to install and may even be available at hobby shops. If not go to thier website www.NWSL.com You will need to know the shaft diameter of the motor, the shaft diameter of the gear box and the distance between the two and select accordingly. I think Grantline makes similar products.

5

I’ve been using medical grade tubing. The kind used for IVs and oxygen lines. I also use it to make tracton tires.

6

Wow, what a collection of great ideas! I will certainly investigate all of them, but the universal joint sounds like the best long-term solution. Thank you all for the very fast response. So happy railroading!