#1 - Can anyone recommend an inexpensive but accurate micrometer? I need to change wheelsets on both passenger and frieght cars to suit code 55.
#2 - I have rapdio couples but just recently purchased a car with what I think are knuckle couplers… they are much smaller, and have a curved wire do-hikie. Does anyone have advice on converting couplers from rapdio to knuckle?
Merry Christmas. and thank you for your help!
Try www.micro-trains.com, think you will find information on their couplers there. Go to CONVERSIONS and then choose the brand(s) you have.
Good luck,
Richard
I convert my HO freight car kit trucks to metal wheelsets (Intermountain mostly, some Proto 2000) and first measure the original axle length. I use the Micromark micrometer (link below), about $23, and find it quite satisfactory, at a reasonable price. Given shipping cost (I think sometimes they email about free shipping sales, you might order a few other key tools you may need.
http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=micrometer
Welcome!
You can purchase a good digital micrometer from places like Harbor Freight for $20-30. I suspect most of your cars will need new ‘low profile’ wheel sets to run on code 55.
The coupler you describe appears to the the current Micro Trains or a clone of it. A lot of N scale folks just buy the Micro Trains truck assembly with the coupler attached. This is what is known as the ‘talgo’ style truck/coupler. The replacement rucks have plastic ‘low profile’ wheel sets installed in them.
Many new N scale cars have ‘body mounted’ couplers(like the prototype). You can buy separate trucks & couplers from Micro trains as well. Atlas also sells their version of the knuckle coupler(Accumate) and low profile wheels in both plastic and metal.
Micro Trains has a good ‘conversion’ page located here:
http://www.micro-trains.com/ConversionsN.php
Jim