Tuesday 13 November 2012

A "Tail" of two dogs Part 4

It's a case of one step forwards and two steps backwards this week!

I've started building the chassis for both locomotives.
While I was waiting for the motor and gears for my clients  Bulldog to arrive I pressed on with the chassis for the Dukedog.
Both locos chassis are identical so I had to make sure I didn't get all the bits mixed up!

Anyway, after assembling the frames for the Dukedog on a piece of plate glass to ensure all is square and flat.

The frames come pre drilled for the axle bearings and frame spacers but, I had to drill my own holes for the brake hangers.
In all fairness though brake hangers and brake shoes are not part of the kit. I just wanted to add the extra detail to mine,

Here's the Dukedog's chassis under test.


Attached Image 

All seems to be working great in this picture doesn't it?

Now using Sods law two minutes after this picture was taken , CLUNK! and the whole thing stopped dead with the ammeter full scale!
There was obviously something major wrong here (understatement!) 
It transpires that the quartering of the outside cranks had shifted. 
So strip down and fix that another 2 hours work!
Got it all back together and although it runs there is so much end float in the motor shaft/ armature that the chassis would not run smoothly at all.
Nothing for it but to strip it all down and order another motor  from Scale link.
Not only that though, I will also need a gearbox and gear set. 
Ah well can't win 'em all.

Cheers
Frank 

2 comments:

  1. Is that an old K's motor?

    If it's died now, you are lucky. They normally wait until the loco is finsiehd and THEN die!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Phil, Thanks for your comment.
      Yes, it is the K's motor as supplied with the kit (About 30 yrs old now!) But had never been used.

      I knew something wasn't quite right when big sparks started flying bout of it!

      Cheers
      Frank

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