Worm gear for a HP Products 0-6-0

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a HP Products TT scale 0-6-0 that I am trying to rebuild. The frame, boiler, and running gear are intact and in good shape, the engine is lacking it’s motor, worm gear, and cab.

The motor is a standard DC-60 with the commutator between the armature and permanent magnet, vice the other style of DC-60, with the commutator between the armature and output shaft. I have a Varney F-3 that I am planning on upgrading to have a pair of can motors vice a single DC-60, so getting a motor is not an issue.

The cab is easily replaced via resin casting of another HP Products steamer cab.

The problem that I have is trying to find where I could get my hands on a worm gear suitable for the task.

The local hobby shop does not like doing custom orders anymore, so I have a feeling I will have to use an online shop to get the part I need.

Does anyone have an idea as to where I could get said worm gear?

Here are some photos of the engine in question:

Here is one of my other HP Products 0-6-0’s after it’s restoration a few months ago:

2

contact NWSL: http://www.nwsl.com/contact-us

It is not clear to me if you want a worm or a worm gear, as there appears to be a worm gear on middle axle already.

The worm goes on the motor shaft, the worm gear on the axle in models like this one (and Mantua, Bowser, etc).

Alternatively, the worm Bowser may work - what is the pitch of the worm gear on the axle?

Are you trying to restore the model, or make it functional. If the latter, I’d suggest a complete new gear box from NWSL.

3

I need the gear that attaches to the motor. The literature that came with a similar engine kit refers to this gear as the worm gear, and the other as an “idler” gear, that is attached to the shaft.

I am restoring the engine to operable status. If I am looking for the gear needed, then I am planning on making the engine operable. I do not see what the difference is between restoration and making it functional.

I need to borrow a friend’s tools to measure the gear pitch. I am right now trying to see what places might have the type of parts I need.

I have had a bad experience with NWSL and not getting the parts ordered, so I am hesitant to go through them again.

4

There is a fairly knowledgeable group of TT folks at the TT_IMS group on yahoogroups. I am almost sure someone there would have the answer.

5

Here is some info from NWSL about gears. I have replaced gears in a couple Tyco steamers some years ago using the MDC gear conversions. Take your time and read throught the pages. NWSL has a lot of options.

I bought a digital caliper for measuring shaft diameters.

A quarterer for the driver gear replacement. Some people who are good mechanicaly do not need the Quarterer. I also bougth the Puller. I go with the least expensive tools from NWSL.

Notice, worm, worm gear, spur gear. Many modeleres confuse the gear names.

http://www.nwsl.com/tutorials/about-gears-part-1

http://www.nwsl.com/tutorials/about-gears-part-2

NWSL has a variety of motors also. Dave does answer email.

http://www.nwsl.com/gears/gear-request

http://www.nwsl.com/motors-power-drives/model-die-casting-roundhouse-locomotive-kits

Rich

6

That is pretty good restoration. I would look up what co. the loco was originally made by, not sold by, and see what they can do.

7

Thanks.

The engine was made and sold by HP Products of Harford City, Indiana, from 1946 to the late 1960’s. (1969 if I remember right).

The motors on the oldest models were WWII US Navy surplus DC-60 type motors, which is kinda neat, being in the Navy and all.

I have sent a message to the TT_IMS group to see what info might be out there to help. I have not heard back from them yet.

8

I think Nigel was trying to make the distinction, in his previous post, between “restoration”: keeping the model in original form, using only original parts; and being willing to use non-original parts, such as NWSL gearboxes, to make the engine operable again, using whatever works best of currently available components.

This is a frequent topic of discussion between people who collect brass engines to keep untouched in their original boxes (which, I know, this is not - but still, it might be considered “collectible”) and those who buy brass engines to actually operate on their layout. Nigel was just trying to understand what your personal objective is.

  • Gerhard